Step one, you say we need to talk
He walks, you say sit down, it's just a talk
He smiles politely back at you
You stare politely right on through
Some sort of window to your right
As he goes left, and you stay right
Between the lines of fear and blame
You begin to wonder why you came

Where did I go wrong?
I lost a friend
Somewhere along in the bitterness
And I would have stayed up with you all night
Had I known how to save a life

Let him know that you know best
'Cause after all, you do know best
Try to slip past his defense
Without granting innocence
Lay down a list of what is wrong
The things you've told him all along
And pray to God he hears you
And I pray to God he hears you

And where did I go wrong?
I lost a friend
Somewhere along in the bitterness
And I would have stayed up with you all night
Had I known how to save a life

As he begins to raise his voice
You lower yours and grant him one last choice
Drive until you lose the road
Or break with the ones you've followed
He will do one of two things
He will admit to everything
Or he'll say he's just not the same
And you'll begin to wonder why you came

Where did I go wrong?
I lost a friend
Somewhere along in the bitterness
And I would have stayed up with you all night
Had I known how to save a life

Where did I go wrong?
I lost a friend
Somewhere along in the bitterness
And I would have stayed up with you all night
Had I known how to save a life

How to save a life
How to save a life

Where did I go wrong?
I lost a friend
Somewhere along in the bitterness
And I would have stayed up with you all night
Had I known how to save a life

Where did I go wrong?
I lost a friend
Somewhere along in the bitterness
And I would have stayed up with you all night
Had I known how to save a life

How to save a life
How to save a life


Lyrics submitted by fray

How To Save A Life Lyrics as written by Joseph King Isaac Slade

Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.

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How To Save A Life song meanings
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    General Comment

    I really see how this is about helping someone in need and precariousness of situations like that, particularly when the person doesn't necessarily think they need to be helped. But the first two lines of the chorus are hitting me where I am at the moment with a entirely new meaning. Have you ever had a best friend who you got to know so well that every little thing they did began to grind on you? And then you get bitter about it all and suddenly you're not sure if they're still your friend and it's really your problem. That's what it's saying to me, just those two lines. "I lost a friend somewhere along in the bitterness."

    shirvson October 31, 2006   Link

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