I'm staring out into the vacuum again,
From the back porch of my mind.
The only thing that's alive.
I'm all there is.
I start attacking my vodka.
Stab the ice with my straw.
My eyes have turned red as stop-lights.
You seem ready to walk.
You know I'll call you eventually.
When I want to talk.
Until then you're invisible.
There's this switch that gets hit,
And it all stops making sense.
In the middle of drinks maybe the fifth or the sixth.
I'm completely alone at a table of friends.
I feel nothing for them.
I feel nothing.
Nothing.

I need a break from the city again.
I think I'll ship myself back west.
I got a friend there she says, hey anytime.
Unless the offer's expired.
I have been less than frequent.
She's under no obligation to indulge every whim.
And I'm so ungrateful.
I take.
She gives and forgives.
And I keep forgetting it.
Each morning she wakes with a dream to describe.
Something lovely that bloomed in her beautiful mind.
I say, I'll trade you one for two nightmares of mine.
I've got somewhere I die.
I've got somewhere we all die.

I'm thinking of quitting drinking again.
I know I've said that a couple of times.
I'm always changing my mind.
I guess I am.
But there's this burn in my stomach,
And there's this pain in my side.
When I kneel at the toilet,
And the morning's clean light pores in through the window.
Sometimes I pray I don't die.
I'm a goddamn hypocrite.
Then night rolls around,
And it all starts making sense.
There is no right way or wrong way.
You just have to live.
So I do what I do and at least I exist.
What would mean more than this?
What would mean more?
Mean more.


Lyrics submitted by _aeronautical, edited by betasunlight

Hit the Switch Lyrics as written by Conor Oberst Oberst

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

Lyrics powered by LyricFind

Hit the Switch song meanings
Add Your Thoughts

86 Comments

sort form View by:
  • 0
    General Comment

    Must be about Manic depression.

    BlankPage_on September 05, 2007   Link

Add your thoughts

Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.

Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!

More Featured Meanings

Album art
Light Up The Sky
Van Halen
The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
Album art
Holiday
Bee Gees
@[Diderik:33655] "Your a holiday!" Was a popular term used in the 50s/60s to compliment someone on their all around. For example, not only are they beautiful, but they are fun and kind too ... just an all around "holiday". I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
Album art
When We Were Young
Blink-182
This is a sequel to 2001's "Reckless Abandon", and features the band looking back on their clumsy youth fondly.
Album art
Magical
Ed Sheeran
How would you describe the feeling of being in love? For Ed Sheeran, the word is “Magical.” in HIS three-minute album opener, he makes an attempt to capture the beauty and delicacy of true love with words. He describes the magic of it all over a bright Pop song produced by Aaron Dessner.
Album art
Amazing
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran tells a story of unsuccessfully trying to feel “Amazing.” This track is about the being weighed down by emotional stress despite valiant attempts to find some positivity in the situation. This track was written by Ed Sheeran from the perspective of his friend. From the track, we see this person fall deeper into the negative thoughts and slide further down the path of mental torment with every lyric.