All I Need

Wow, the lyrics to this song are everchanging. The version I listen to seems to be a little different (and the most finished). Not to mention it's the clearest version I could find; almost as good as a recording. Listen for yourselves: myspace.com/3141592617. Here's the revision of the lyrics as I hear them, along with my interpretation of the song, line by line:

1.) I'm a next act Waiting in the wings

2.) I'm animal Trapped in your hot car

3.) I only stick with you Because there are no others

4.) You're all I need (x2) I'm in the middle of your picture Lying in the leaves

5.) I am a moth Who just wants to get out the night

6.) I'm an insect Who wants to share your light

7.) I am all the things That you choose to ignore

8.) You're all I need (x2) I'm in the middle of your picture Lying in the leaves

9.) It's all right (x4)

10.) It's all wrong It's all right It's all wrong It's all right It's all wrong It's all right

In short, I think eatenbytheworms had it right that this love is one-sided. The song is about a lonely guy (or girl, but for generalization's sake i'll keep it masculine) in a friendship with a girl that he has come to love more than just a friend.

1.) This first line I'm not too sure about -- lyrically or interpretation-wise. But, I think he is comparing himself to a "next act waiting in the wings" as another way of saying that he has potential. Basically, he's waiting for his chance that he so desperately wants.

2.) Like an "animal trapped in a hot car" he's truly helpless and cannot live without her. He needs her just as badly as animal needs its owner to open the car door.

3.) Here's where the loneliness theme really shows. I believe when Thom sings this line, he sincerely means that there "are no others". A beautiful line that nicely accomodates the previous one about the trapped animal.

4.) He's content with just her in his life. I believe the picture is a metaphor for the girl's life, and the leaves signify other people in her life that she has just bunched together indifferently. But the guy is saying, "Hey, I'm right here ('in the middle of your picture'). I love you most and am ready do anything for you."

5.) This line further pushes the lonliness theme. If you know anything about moths, you know that they only mate at night. Meanwhile, butterflies mate during the day. Basically, he's saying that he's lonely ("in the night", the darkness) and wants to be with her.

6.) Samething here. He wants to share in her love.

7.) This takes me back to line 4 with the picture metaphor. He's been indifferently bunched together with everything and everyone else in her life. OR, his advances don't mean anything to her and she just ignores him. Same difference I guess.

8.) Read my line 4 interpretation please. :-)

9. and 10.) I believe this is the voice of someone who is being tortured by unrequited love. He's lonely but he has her. He's in her life at least and he should be content with that, right? ("It's all right") Wrong. He loves beyond friendship and he can't help what he feels ("It's all wrong"). He's in a dilemma and doesn't know what to do ("It's all right, it's all wrong").

It's possible I may have delved a little too deeply in this song. But this is what I got when I listened to it. =-/