Grudges

I believe it is fair to assume that this song is about Zac rejoining the band and the rekindling of his friendship with Hayley from her point of view since she wrote the lyrics. I think it's also fun the fact he sings the bridge of this song along with her. But let's analyze the lyrics, shall we?

"Strange how we found ourselves exactly where we left off I know you're shaking my hand like it is the first time Are we alright? Are you recounting all my faults? And are you racking your brain just to find them all? Could it be that I've changed or did you?"

This first verse clearly depicts Hayley and Zac reuniting again after a long time. Zac kept in touch with Taylor and the two never really stopped being friends despite Zac leaving the band but Hayley stated herself she was out of it at first. So this bit dwells on about the strangeness of them reconnecting because they've known each other forever and yet felt like strangers with each other. No, it's not the first time they're shaking hands but it feels like it since they don't know how to act around each other anymore. They did change and Hayley is cautious around Zac because she doesn't know him as well anymore and wonders whether he resents her and whether he holds grudges against her or not.

"Stop asking why Why we had to waste so much time Well, we just pick up, pick up and start again 'Cause we can't keep holding on to grudges"

Hayley then goes on to state that what happened between the two of them doesn't need to hold them back anymore since it's all in the past. There's no point in asking why and in wasting any more time. She states they can start being friends again instead of holding pointless grudges against each other.

"Time is a bastard I won't break my neck to get around it But aren't we so brave to give up a fight And let the years go by without us 'Cause now I feel you by my side And I don't even care if it's been a while I can feel that we've changed and we're better this way"

Hayley admits time affected her and that this time away from each other didn't do their friendship any good nor didn't do them any good as individuals. Holding grudges can turn someone callous and is extremely painful altogether as Hayley highlighted it in 'Fast In My Car' or 'I'm Not Angry Anymore'. They all were scarred because time kept them away from each other and they all suffered and it changed them as individuals. Yet, they both know better than to let this time apart separate them forever because it would be such a shame. Maybe they've got a long way to go before knowing how to be friends again and before knowing who the person in front of them is now that time and experience changed them but they agreed to stop the fight. They're by each other's side now. It doesn't matter how long they haven't been talking or if it's been a while as long as they do now. Yes, they changed but change isn't necessarily negative she says. Maybe it's for the better, she admits.

"And if you wanna call me up or come over Come on, we'll laugh 'till we cry Like we did when we were kids 'Cause we can't keep holding on to grudges"

Hayley invites Zac to make the first step along with her and to call her if he wants to hang out and do what they used to do such as laughing 'till the point of tears. She tells him he doesn't have to hold back with her and can rest assure she won't push him away. Happiness is much more valuable than any anger or resentment they might both feel. She wants Zac to be her friend again and wants to let the past where it is.

"Why did it take so long? Why did it take so long? Why did it take us so long to just let go? Why did it take us so long to stop holding on?"

The bridge of this song is so important and meaningful. Even though Hayley wrote that song, it feels like Zac's point of view on the whole matter is also expressed here since he sings this part. He admits he doesn't know why it was so hard for both of them to let go and just start being friends again. They don't know why they've wasted time resenting each other - probably - and holding grudges against each other. The repetition of "why" along with " so long" seems to indicate they deplore the fact that they're never going to get this time wasted back again. However, the last verse of this song stresses the happiness factor and laughing again together as they did as kids. They're back to being friends and all is good between each other.

What do you think?