There's a world outside
And I know 'cause I've heard talk
In my sweetest dream
I would go out for a walk

Gut I don't think I'm ready yet
Not feeling up to it now
Just not that steady yet
And I don't need you telling me how

There's some happiness
And my stone face cracks again
Maybe sometime sooner or later

But I don't think I'm ready yet
Not feeling up to it now
Just not that steady yet
And I don't need you telling me how

So if I leave my room
Don't you tell me to lighten up
Maybe sometime sooner or later

But I don't think I'm ready yet
Not feeling up to it now
Just not that steady yet
And I don't need you telling me how

I don't need you telling me how
I don't need you telling me how
Don't need you telling me how
Don't need you telling me how

Don't need you telling me how
Don't need you telling me how
Don't
Don't need you telling me how


Lyrics submitted by Don Jerone

Not Ready Yet Lyrics as written by Mark Everett Jon Brion

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.

Lyrics powered by LyricFind

Not Ready Yet song meanings
Add Your Thoughts

11 Comments

sort form View by:
  • +2
    General Comment

    This is about alienation. This song meant a lot to me a few years ago when i wasn't very happy with life in general. I think many people have felt alienated from the rest of the world, and just lock themselves away in an attempt to determine what it is they are worried, and to see if anyone will come looking for them. That's what i believe this song to be about, and its a great song.

    xpankfrisston March 27, 2002   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    Sometimes, when you're feeling sad, and people tell you things like "Oh, you can be happy, just try and be happy and you'll be happy. Cheer up, go do other stuff, it'll make you feel better" and though their advice is sound, you just don't feel like trying, you want to tell them to leave you alone, i'll do that when i'm good and ready! Anyway, i think that's what this song is about =)

    eelsfreakon July 03, 2003   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    I can appreciate any song thats not about love or teen angst (both being very old and tired topics). In general, I think its a song for all the people out there who just prefer to keep to themselves for whatever reason. And besides that, its just sounds so great. It has this driving, lonely rhythm that perfectly conveys the meaning of the song's lyrics.

    fyrefoxon May 09, 2002   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    It's about E's sister who had mental problems and didn't feel strong enough to go out but wanted to.

    carpet_of_doomon June 11, 2002   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    I think carpet of doom is right. But i don't think that she wanted to go outside. I think she would rather stay inside.

    Deckerson June 16, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    I agree with pretty much everything thats been said so far...

    I think it's about not bing able to cope with the neurosis of modern life and just locking yourself away and not listening to ppl when they tell you things will get better when it is appaent to you that they won't. dunno if that made any sense or not...

    Dressed2Depresson September 17, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    yeah, it did dressed2depress. great description. although, i wouldn't say "modern" life, but just life in general... it's about fear of life, fear of the experiences and feelings it brings along. great comment by xpankfrisst as well btw.

    angelsflyon February 10, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    i agree with what's already been said...it's just about not being ready to cope with your problems...

    my favorite eels song and one of my favorite songs of all time =)

    justashootingstaron August 21, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment
    ShineYouDiamondon February 10, 2013   Link
  • 0
    General Comment
    ShineYouDiamondon February 10, 2013   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
Mental Istid
Ebba Grön
This is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
Album art
Mountain Song
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction vocalist Perry Farrell gives Adam Reader some heartfelt insight into Jane’s Addiction's hard rock manifesto "Mountain Song", which was the second single from their revolutionary album Nothing's Shocking. Mountain song was first recorded in 1986 and appeared on the soundtrack to the film Dudes starring Jon Cryer. The version on Nothing's Shocking was re-recorded in 1988. "'Mountain Song' was actually about... I hate to say it but... drugs. Climbing this mountain and getting as high as you can, and then coming down that mountain," reveals Farrell. "What it feels to descend from the mountain top... not easy at all. The ascension is tough but exhilarating. Getting down is... it's a real bummer. Drugs is not for everybody obviously. For me, I wanted to experience the heights, and the lows come along with it." "There's a part - 'Cash in now honey, cash in Miss Smith.' Miss Smith is my Mother; our last name was Smith. Cashing in when she cashed in her life. So... she decided that, to her... at that time, she was desperate. Life wasn't worth it for her, that was her opinion. Some people think, never take your life, and some people find that their life isn't worth living. She was in love with my Dad, and my Dad was not faithful to her, and it broke her heart. She was very desperate and she did something that I know she regrets."
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
When We Were Young
Blink-182
This is a sequel to 2001's "Reckless Abandon", and features the band looking back on their clumsy youth fondly.
Album art
Head > Heels
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.