If it was a Tuesday I would be a rich man
But I was so enticed by the air that moves around them.
Another man, another woman smoking
All their toys are left alone and broken
It didn’t have to end it didn’t have to clean me out
But this is what the year was all about.
There’s a piece of, there’s a piece of
The better parts of me in all of this stuff

And I know there’s so much more to life
And time is fleeting but it doesn’t change a thing
And I still want so much more
What else is all this for?
So I’ll await the things that should be coming to me.
You can give the orders, you can be the captain
But I was in the vehicle when the crash happened
I didn’t think of it ‘til the lights were flashing,
But I was in the front seat when the car was crashing
It could be avoided and it doesn’t change the fact
That I was well aware of this as we made impact
You give the orders, you are the captain
But I was in the vehicle when the crash happened
I was in there when it happened
It was abrupt but I saw it first
I was in there when it happened
And I was hoping for so much worse

I had a bunch to say but lets be realistic
A book about yourself is a tad narcissistic.
I think it’s good a healthy obsession
Whoa , so healthy.
Calculate the value of the things you have acquired
You’re not impressing me cause you’re preaching to the choir.
You’ve given up, you’ve left it all to fate.
Now just wait a God damn second here…wait!

And I know there’s so much more to life
And time is fleeting but it doesn’t change a thing
And I still want so much more
What else is all this for?
So I’ll await the things that should be coming to me.
You can give the orders, you can be the captain
But I was in the vehicle when the crash happened
I didn’t think of it ‘til the lights were flashing,
But I was in the front seat when the car was crashing
It could avoided and it doesn’t change the fact
That I was well aware of this as we made impact
You give the orders, you are the captain
But I was in the vehicle when the crash happened
I was in there when it happened
It was abrupt but I saw it first
I was in there when it happened
And I was hoping for so much worse

I was in there when it happened
It was abrupt but I saw it first
I was in there when it happened
And I was hoping for so much worse


Lyrics submitted by pavel_lishin

When The Crash Happened song meanings
Add Your Thoughts

1 Comment

sort form View by:
  • 0
    General Comment

    This song reminds me so much of Fight Club. Think of this "vehicle" that is crashing as a person's body and mind, where the "captain" is an alternate personality.

    nvrealityon March 06, 2008   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
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
"Fast car" is kind of a continuation of Bruce Springsteen's "Born to Run." It has all the clawing your way to a better life, but in this case the protagonist never makes it with her love; in fact she is dragged back down by him. There is still an amazing amount of hope and will in the lyrics; and the lyrics themselve rank and easy five. If only music was stronger it would be one of those great radio songs that you hear once a week 20 years after it was released. The imagery is almost tear-jerking ("City lights lay out before us", "Speeds so fast felt like I was drunk"), and the idea of starting from nothing and just driving and working and denigrating yourself for a chance at being just above poverty, then losing in the end is just painful and inspiring at the same time.
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
Gentle Hour
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,
Album art
Punchline
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran sings about missing his former partner and learning important life lessons in the process on “Punchline.” This track tells a story of battling to get rid of emotions for a former lover, whom he now realized might not have loved him the same way. He’s now caught between accepting that fact and learning life lessons from it and going back to beg her for another chance.
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.