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Things I Cannot Recall Lyrics
In your old room
where we caught you
steppin' through some old song
You said came from
where you're going
a lady read it in your palm
down at the 12th avenue market
the promise you will not forget
You are going
till it's gone
Screen went blue
before I touched you
and my ride went home
All the photos came out lonely
but we, we're not alone
Talking of everything we could not hope
I was stupid of thinking of east coast
already now it's gone
There are things I cannot forget
I wish none had happened yet
there are some things I cannot forget
We were stronger than the preachers
We were wiser than the law
Took our sleeping by the river
and the beaches in your car
up where you taught me how to drive a stick
and told me your family secret
You were scared I was caught
Why'd you stay behind
packing for the trip
Why'd you ask me to be the one
first through your lips
I was awkward and I could not hear
you body through my body's fear
We were going to Hell
There are things I cannot recall
There are some things that would risk it all
but these are the things we cannot recall
These are the things I cannot recall
where we caught you
steppin' through some old song
You said came from
where you're going
a lady read it in your palm
down at the 12th avenue market
the promise you will not forget
You are going
till it's gone
before I touched you
and my ride went home
All the photos came out lonely
but we, we're not alone
Talking of everything we could not hope
I was stupid of thinking of east coast
already now it's gone
I wish none had happened yet
there are some things I cannot forget
We were wiser than the law
Took our sleeping by the river
and the beaches in your car
up where you taught me how to drive a stick
and told me your family secret
You were scared I was caught
packing for the trip
Why'd you ask me to be the one
first through your lips
I was awkward and I could not hear
you body through my body's fear
We were going to Hell
There are some things that would risk it all
but these are the things we cannot recall
These are the things I cannot recall
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At their show he said it was about the hardships of high school, and the pain and confusion. I think he's recalling all those awkward, amazing, and sad times of a first love. "Things I cannot forget" and "wish none had happened yet" are describing a loss of innocence. First love never lasts, so all those memories become painful. So I agree with passionpit, he cannot recall because it is too painful.
"down at the 12th avenue market"
"we were stronger than the preachers we were wiser than the law took on sleeping by the river and the beaches in your car"
beautiful song
I think this song is about someone who is mission someone else. I think "Things i cannot recall" means that they want to remember someone, but it's really painful to do so. So maybe the cannot means that it's kinda taboo, for themselves. i dunno, that's just what i get from it, but there is probably a lot more.
I think I get the general idea of each part but the song as a whole, I can't put it all together. Any ideas to a whole meaning? It seems like so much more than just a collection of memories...
'why'd you stay behind packing for the trip why'd you ask me to be the one first through your lips i was awkward and i could not hear your body through my body's fear we were going to hell'
Ok, so this may be a long stretch, but I think the "first through your lips" is a sexual interpretation. People also talk about the crazy body/physical awkwardness there usually is the first time sex happens with their first love, and I also totally believe the "going to hell" part refers to sinning by having sex. It contributes to all of the other potent, important memories he faintly recalls throughout the song. But who knows..
I've always thought the same thing about those lines.
I've always thought the same thing about those lines.
I really agree with GD. I think not only this song is about high school, but also the losing of your virginity and the first love theme is prominent to me as well. I really think he was referring to a single girl here, and she obviously meant so much to him if he wrote this song about her. I have a similar theory that this girl could possibly be a blend of all the females he associated with during that awkward time of loneliness and happyiness.
1948 plays on my ipod, thats what it means
I saw them live last week. Best show I've ever been to, hands down. It helps I've been a fan for years. But anywho. Israel said he wrote it for a girl he was seeing. She was moving to New York to go to Bard College.
It's a positive reflection of their time together in high school. We have happy memories, sad memories, and everything in between. We might forget some, others stick with us forever.
Sounds like reminiscing on an old relationship. Possibly someone whose been abused, and the singer might had been as well, therefore finding a connection within that itself.
Someone who could possibly been depressed through the early part of her life. They learned from each other, shared their secrets and their past. The singer also shows distance, or slight disconnection from their present.