Allie woke up 8AM
Graduation day.
Got into a car,
And crashed along the way.

When we arrived late to the wake,
Stole the urn while they
Looked away,
And drove to the beach
'Cause I knew you'd want it
That way.

And you were standing
On the hood of the car
Singing out loud
When the sun came up.

And I know I wasn't right,
But it felt so good.
And your mother didn't mind,
Like I thought she would.
And that REM song was playing
In my mind.
And three and a half minutes
Felt like a lifetime

It felt like a lifetime

And you move like water
I could drown in you.
And I fell so deep once,
Till you pulled me through

You would tell me
"No one is allowed to be so proud
They never reach out
When they're giving up."

And I know I wasn't right,
But it felt so good.
And your mother didn't mind,
Like I thought she would.
And that REM song was playing
In my mind.
And three and a half minutes
Felt like a lifetime

Are you sitting in the lights?
Or combing your hair again,
And talking in rhymes?
Are you sitting in the lights?

When I got home, heard the phone,
Your parents had arrived.
And your dad set his jaw
Your mom just smiled and sighed.

But they left soon
And I went to my room.
Played that disc that you'd given me,
And I shut my eyes
Swear I could hear the sea.

When we were standing
On the hood of your car
Singing out loud when the sun came up.

And I know I wasn't right,
But it felt so good.
And your mother didn't mind,
Like I thought she would.
And that REM song was playing
In my mind.
And three and a half minutes,
Three and a half minutes,

Felt like a lifetime.


Lyrics submitted by Xine

A Lifetime song meanings
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  • +2
    General Comment

    ok, it's time for an Ezralite to set the record straight. We've been discussing this song for about 4 years now on the BTE message borads, so here is a combination to answer your questions. 1.) The REM song IS "Talk about the passion." Kevin obsessed over REM, and so would his group of friends in HS. it is also that old of a song. Kevin started the band in college in 1989, so a song like "everybody hurts" would be too new. Plus it is 3:23. 2.) the cast of characters includes - Allie; Parents; KEvin and one or two other friends (we arrived late to the wake).
    3.) Allie is not the main focus of the song. This song was written around 10 years after this happened. It is a way for Kevin to cope with the loss and to remember her. It was a hard subject till this song came out and is bing toated as the new single because it is such an important and honest homage to allie and the times around her death.
    4.)get the new BTE CD on April 12th to hear the new version of this song. it is amazing even compared to the "closer" version. Better Than Ezra - "Before The Robots" April 12th ok hope that helps.

    tmckee34on February 28, 2005   Link

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