This is a hauntingly beautiful song about introspection, specifically about looking back at a relationship that started bad and ended so poorly, that the narrator wants to go back to the very beginning and tell himself to not even travel down that road. I believe that the relationship started poorly because of the lines:
"Take me back to the night we met:When the night was full of terrors: And your eyes were filled with tears: When you had not touched me yet"
So, the first night was not a great start, but the narrator pursued the relationship and eventually both overcame the rough start to fall in love with each other:
"I had all and then most of you"
Like many relationships that turn sour, it was not a quick decline, but a gradual one where the narrator and their partner fall out of love and gradually grow apart
"Some and now none of you"
Losing someone who was once everything in your world, who you could confide in, tell your secrets to, share all the most intimate parts of your life, to being strangers with that person is probably one of the most painful experiences a person can go through. So Painful, the narrator wants to go back in time and tell himself to not even pursue the relationship.
This was the perfect song for "13 Reasons Why"
Roll out of bed, look in the mirror
And wonder who you are
Another year has come and gone
Today is your birthday
But it might be the last day of your life
What will you do if tomorrow it's all gone?
[It's all gone]
You won't be young forever
There's only a fraction to the sum
You won't be young forever
Nor will anyone
So...
Look at your life, who do you want to be before you die?
Look at your life, what do you want to do?
Look at your life, who do you want to be before you die?
Look at your life, you haven't got forever
And tell me what really matters
Is it the money and the fame?
Or how many people might eventually know your name?
[know your name]
But maybe you touch one life
And the world becomes a better place to be
Maybe you give their dreams another day
Another chance to be free
You won't be young forever
There's only a fraction to the sum
You won't be young forever
Nor will anyone
So...
Look at your life, who do you want to be before you die?
Look at your, what do you want to do?
Look at your life, who do you want to be before you die?
Look at your life, it all comes back to you.
[appy birthday][repeat x8]
You won't be young forever
There's only a fraction to the sum
You won't be young forever
Nor will anyone
So...
Look at your life, who do you want to be before you die?
Look at your, what do you want to do?
Look at your life, who do you want to be before you die? [repeat x3]
And wonder who you are
Another year has come and gone
Today is your birthday
But it might be the last day of your life
What will you do if tomorrow it's all gone?
[It's all gone]
You won't be young forever
There's only a fraction to the sum
You won't be young forever
Nor will anyone
So...
Look at your life, who do you want to be before you die?
Look at your life, what do you want to do?
Look at your life, who do you want to be before you die?
Look at your life, you haven't got forever
And tell me what really matters
Is it the money and the fame?
Or how many people might eventually know your name?
[know your name]
But maybe you touch one life
And the world becomes a better place to be
Maybe you give their dreams another day
Another chance to be free
You won't be young forever
There's only a fraction to the sum
You won't be young forever
Nor will anyone
So...
Look at your life, who do you want to be before you die?
Look at your, what do you want to do?
Look at your life, who do you want to be before you die?
Look at your life, it all comes back to you.
[appy birthday][repeat x8]
You won't be young forever
There's only a fraction to the sum
You won't be young forever
Nor will anyone
So...
Look at your life, who do you want to be before you die?
Look at your, what do you want to do?
Look at your life, who do you want to be before you die? [repeat x3]
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More Featured Meanings
The Night We Met
Lord Huron
Lord Huron
Gentle Hour
Yo La Tengo
Yo La Tengo
This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version.
Great version of a great song,
Just A Little Lovin'
Dusty Springfield
Dusty Springfield
I don't think it's necessarily about sex. It's about wanting to start the day with some love and affection. Maybe a warm cuddle. I'm not alone in interpreting it that way! For example:
"'Just a Little Lovin’ is a timeless country song originally recorded by Eddy Arnold in 1954. The song, written by Eddie Miller and Jimmy Campbell, explores the delicate nuances of love and showcases Arnold’s emotive vocals. It delves into the universal theme of love and how even the smallest gesture of affection can have a profound impact on our lives." https://oldtimemusic.com/the-meaning-behind-the-song-just-a-little-lovin-by-eddy-arnold/
Blue
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Blue” is a song about a love that is persisting in the discomfort of the person experiencing the emotion. Ed Sheeran reflects on love lost, and although he wishes his former partner find happiness, he cannot but admit his feelings are still very much there. He expresses the realization that he might never find another on this stringed instrumental by Aaron Dessner.
Head > Heels
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Head > Heels” is a track that aims to capture what it feels like to experience romance that exceeds expectations. Ed Sheeran dedicates his album outro to a lover who has blessed him with a unique experience that he seeks to describe through the song’s nuanced lyrics.
This song's meaning is self-explainitory. Awesome, lovely violin solo as well.