Warren wanted a Beach Boys thing for this one, and Carl Wilson and Billy Hinsche came in, with Carl arranging the vocal parts. The other harmony vocalists (credited as the "Gentlemen Boys") were Jackson Browne, J.D. Souther, Zevon's longtime backers Waddy Wachtel and Jorge Calderon, and Linda Rondstadt/Stone Poneys guitarist Kenny Edwards.
Can hold my breath only for a little while
Until reality starts sinking in
Once again I'm settling for second best
Turn the page and skip
To the end to where I
Swore that I would try
Since the last time I crossed that line
In the back of my mind I know
It only hurts when you're eyes are open
Lies get tossed and truth is spoken
It only hurts when that door gets opened
Dreams are lost and hearts are broken
Miles away promise from a burning bed
Two worlds should never collide
One word would end it if you ever heard
Tear the page out that
Reminds me when I
Swore that I'd be strong now the next
Time has come and gone
Well maybe I'm wrong I know
It only hurts when you're eyes are open
Lies get tossed and truth is spoken
It only hurts when that door gets opened
Dreams are lost and hearts are broken
I know what you're feeling
Its hard to believe in
Someone, someone, who's not there
I know that you're waiting
Cause love is worth saving
But only for So long, so long, so long
I swore that I would try
Since the last time, the last time
It only hurts when you're eyes are open
Lies get tossed and truth is spoken
It only hurts when that door gets opened
Dreams are lost and hearts are broken
It only hurts when you're eyes are open
Lies get tossed and truth is spoken
It only hurts when that door gets opened
Dreams are lost and hearts are broken
Until reality starts sinking in
Once again I'm settling for second best
Turn the page and skip
To the end to where I
Swore that I would try
Since the last time I crossed that line
In the back of my mind I know
It only hurts when you're eyes are open
Lies get tossed and truth is spoken
It only hurts when that door gets opened
Dreams are lost and hearts are broken
Miles away promise from a burning bed
Two worlds should never collide
One word would end it if you ever heard
Tear the page out that
Reminds me when I
Swore that I'd be strong now the next
Time has come and gone
Well maybe I'm wrong I know
It only hurts when you're eyes are open
Lies get tossed and truth is spoken
It only hurts when that door gets opened
Dreams are lost and hearts are broken
I know what you're feeling
Its hard to believe in
Someone, someone, who's not there
I know that you're waiting
Cause love is worth saving
But only for So long, so long, so long
I swore that I would try
Since the last time, the last time
It only hurts when you're eyes are open
Lies get tossed and truth is spoken
It only hurts when that door gets opened
Dreams are lost and hearts are broken
It only hurts when you're eyes are open
Lies get tossed and truth is spoken
It only hurts when that door gets opened
Dreams are lost and hearts are broken
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More Featured Meanings
Spirit Within
Bertoldi Brothers
Bertoldi Brothers
The Spy
Doors, The
Doors, The
Like a lot of the other comments are saying, I think this mainly about voyeurism. If the song was about his girlfriend, then why would he use the word spy. If you are a spy it means you shouldn't be caught, that is kind of the whole point, and if you are a voyeur, the whole point of the pleasure you get from it, is the fact that the other people don't know you are watching them. See a bit of a connection there?
Battle Royale
Word Alive, The
Word Alive, The
This song is def a twin to "Unfair" (a song she has been quoted as saying is about falling in love with someone who is already in a relationship) so it is presumably about the same person. Given the references to buying an apartment and not being able to see her love interest "after tonight," it's most likely that she's moving away and she'll "wait a day to break the bad news" (i.e. notifying him that she's leaving once she's already gone).
And, of course, the fact that she sees in him a fellow "idealist" and "dreamer" (terms commonly given to people with the INFP personality on the Myers–Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI)) portends that she'll always be left wondering if they would've been perfect together.
Techno Ted
Audioslave
Audioslave
Techno Ted may be a person who caused Chris incredible emotional pain & trepidation as well as moments of peace & happiness but now is removed and awaiting his fate. Darling may be a different person who is also free of him and can live her life free of Ted's tyranny. "In between all the laughing, and daydreams ... lies: a desert of truth" Lies are like a desert or the omission of Truth: Where there were Lies then Truth was absent. The song, "Techno Ted", may be a cathartic celebration of the downfall of this person.
Dreamwalker
Silent Planet
Silent Planet
I think much like another song “Anti-Matter” (that's also on the same album as this song), this one is also is inspired by a horrifying van crash the band experienced on Nov 3, 2022. This, much like the other track, sounds like it's an extension what they shared while huddled in the wreckage, as they helped frontman Garrett Russell stem the bleeding from his head wound while he was under the temporary effects of a concussion. The track speaks of where the mind goes at the most desperate & desolate of times, when it just about slips away to all but disconnect itself, and the aftermath.
it seems like he loves this girl, but she doesnt feel the same way or isnt putting in the effort. he is trying to deny himself and beleive that it will all work out, but when he "opens his eyes" he realizes that she doesnt. it sounds like he has made this same mistake before where he got caught up, and doesnt want to loose track of reality. to me this is about him slowly realizing that she doesnt love him and he has to move on... great song! <3