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With Arms Outstretched Lyrics

It's sixteen miles
To the promised land
And I promise you, I'm doing the best I can

Now don't fool yourself
Into thinking you're more than a man
Because you'll probably end up dead

I visit these
Mountains with frequency
And I stand here with my arms up

Now some days they last longer than others
But this day by the lake went too fast
And if you want me
You better speak up, I won't wait
So you better move fast

Don't fool yourself
Into thinking you're more than you are
With your arms outstretched to me

Now it's sixteen miles
To the promised land
And I promise you, I'm doing the best I can

Now some days they last longer than others
But this day by the lake went too fast
And if you want me
You better speak up, I won't wait
So you better move fast

And some days they last longer than others
But this day by the lake went too fast
And if you want me
You better speak up, I won't wait
So you better move fast
33 Meanings

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Cover art for With Arms Outstretched lyrics by Rilo Kiley

For me, this is about someone in a relationship with two people in very different places. The protagonist, who has an inner peace about themselves, the world around them, and the relationship they are in. The partner, however, is attempting to create problems, is somehow confused about themselves, who they are, and are putting it on the relationship. Jenny's role, it appears, it to wisely say - look, we can move apart if this isn't work - I can live with out you, I'm at peace, and I'm not going to let that change. You are under delusions about yourself - you got to get it together - be humble, come to a place of peace within yourself, and join me on the road I'm traveling if you want to be with me. Otherwise, you're going to be left behind.

Cover art for With Arms Outstretched lyrics by Rilo Kiley

This is a song all girls should relate too. Its about a girl and a guy who like each other and spend a great day together.. but the man wont make a move. So she warns him, not to think he is a super god who can have any girl just fall over him (now dont fool yourself, in thinking your more than a man) She plainly tells him, “if you want me, you better speak up, i wont wait, so you better move fast" So if the guy doesn’t tell the girl he likes her, she will just move on, so he "better speak up."

@Shmac215 Yup. That is what the words mean. Other interpretations are a bit off, or just fantasy. The singer has her feet on the ground and knows herself.
I’m glad I spoke up and moved fast. Now I’ve got the right girl.

Cover art for With Arms Outstretched lyrics by Rilo Kiley

my friend always sings "and if you want me you better speak up i won't wait so you better, move fast" and i can't listen to the song without thinking of her.

Cover art for With Arms Outstretched lyrics by Rilo Kiley

when seeing rilo live, and hearing this song, and everybody had their arms raised... everything made sense. truly amazing.

Cover art for With Arms Outstretched lyrics by Rilo Kiley

"don't fool yourself in thinking you're more than you are with your arms outstretched to me "

I love that part cause it's what stood out to me from the rest of the song. What I took it as most likely has nothing to do what the song is about but that's why only the section of it stood out to me :p

I took it as people thinking they're such much better by reaching out to you, and sort of looking down on you for doing so and sort of minimizing the importance of.. whatever they're helping you out with. Sort of like.. don't feel superior to someone just because they need help. And if they don't ask for it, don't act like you hold all the answers by reaching out.

..yep.

Cover art for With Arms Outstretched lyrics by Rilo Kiley

My best friends played and sang this a couple days before we all left for college, so it still brings a tear to my eye. It may not seem relevant to that, but i can help but think of friends and how quickly time passes when she says

"and somedays they last longer than others but this day by the lake went too fast"

Cover art for With Arms Outstretched lyrics by Rilo Kiley

I'm not a huge Rilo Kiley fan, but this song is quickly becoming one of my favourites.

Cover art for With Arms Outstretched lyrics by Rilo Kiley

and if you want me you better speak up i wont wait so you better move fast ... this song is so true and my favorite Rilo Kiley song. thank you

Cover art for With Arms Outstretched lyrics by Rilo Kiley

i can't believe only 5 people have commented on this song! it's such a great song...i can't quite put my finger on what it means but to me it's basically about youth, young love, hopefulness, dreams...the like.

jenny lewis is my hero.

Cover art for With Arms Outstretched lyrics by Rilo Kiley

this is one of my favorite songs.

 
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