Here in this diary I write you visions of my summer
It was the best I ever had
There were choruses and sing alongs
And that unspoken feeling of knowing
That right now is all that matters

All the nights we stayed up talking
Listening to 80's songs
And quoting lines from all those movies that we love
It still brings a smile to my face

I guess when it comes down to it
Being grown up isn't half as fun as growing up
These are the best days of our lives
The only thing that matters is just following your heart
And eventually you'll finally get it right

Breaking into hotel swimming pools
And wreaking havoc on our world
Hanging out at truck stops
Just to pass the time
The blacktop singing me to sleep

Lighting fireworks in parking lots
Illuminate the blackest nights
Cherry cokes under this moonlit summer sky
2015 Riverside, it's time to say goodbye

Get on the bus, it's time to go

Being grown up isn't half as fun as growing up
These are the best days of our lives
The only thing that matters is just following your heart
And eventually you'll finally get it right

(Get it right)

Being grown up isn't half as fun as growing up
These are the best days of our lives
The only thing that matters is just following your heart
And eventually you'll finally get it right


Lyrics submitted by ADimeADexter

In This Diary Lyrics as written by Kris Roe

Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing

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In This Diary song meanings
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  • 0
    General Comment

    I think this song is about a guy who had to leave his girl to go somewhere, like college or university. In the chorus, he says "Being grown up isn't half as fun as growing up: These are the best days of our lives.", which to me says that we take advantage of our youth, and don't realize it until we are older. He also talks about all the good times they shared together, ("Breaking into hotel swimming pools, and wreaking havoc on our world. Hanging out at truck stops just to pass the time. ") ("Lighting fireworks in parking lots"), (etc).

    The leaving part comes from "2015 Riverside, it's time to say, 'goodbye.' Get on the bus, it's time to go." Which see as him leaving his home, which is 2015 Riverside.

    This is such a powerful song, in my opinion, as I can relate to how I see it, because I will be leaving for college soon, and may have to leave my girlfriend behind, which i definitly do not want to do :(

    war_frogon March 13, 2003   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Great song this. :)

    MHorneron March 13, 2003   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    By the way, this is on their new album "So Long, Astoria".

    war_frogon March 13, 2003   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    War frog... good suggestions, but it's actually mostly about just touring and the experiences they had. The 2015 Riverside part isn't his home.

    csabo7on March 14, 2003   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    War frog... good suggestions, but it's actually mostly about just touring and the experiences they had. The 2015 Riverside part isn't his home.

    csabo7on March 14, 2003   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    :) Such a nostalgic feeling...

    LulusXeon March 14, 2003   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Like i said, thats just how I saw the song. Thats the interesting part about interpretation, everyone sees it their own way ;) Plus, i know nothing about the Ataris, other than I like their music.

    war_frogon March 14, 2003   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    it's one of the best ataris lyrics it's quite good like san dimas high school... ataris fuckin rocks

    dudu666on March 14, 2003   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    I really <3 this song. it just reminds me of all the friendsips that i have with all my friends

    All the nights we stayed up talking and listening to 80's songs; quoting lines from all those movies that we love. It still brings a smile to my face.<<< that is my line, its like my life

    starburzt123on March 15, 2003   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    This is an awesome song, this is the only song I heard before "... Astoria" came out and I picked up the cd on the first day it came out (5.84!), that's the first cd I've picked up on the first day it's been out for a long time

    Running_On_Emptyon March 15, 2003   Link

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