How Far We've Come

Matchbox Twenty

(Hello, hello, hello)

I'm waking up at the start of the end of the world,
But its feeling just like every other morning before,
Now I wonder what my life is going to mean if it's gone,
The cars are moving like a half a mile an hour
And I started staring at the passengers who're waving goodbye
Can you tell me what was ever really special about me all this time?

But I believe the world is burning to the ground
Oh well, I guess we're gonna find out
Let's see how far we've come
Let's see how far we've come
Well I, believe, it all, is coming to an end
Oh well, I guess, we're gonna pretend,
Let's see how far we've come
Let's see how far we've come

I think it turned ten o'clock but I don't really know
Then I can't remember caring for an hour or so
Started crying and I couldn't stop myself
I started running but there's no where to run to
I sat down on the street and took a look at myself
Said where you going man you know the world is headed for hell
Say your goodbyes if you've got someone you can say goodbye to

I believe the world is burning to the ground
Oh well, I guess, we're gonna find out
Let's see how far we've come
Let's see how far we've come

Well I, believe, it all, is coming to an end
Oh well, I guess, we're gonna pretend,
Let's see how far we've come
Let's see how far we've come

It's gone gone, baby its all gone
There is no one on the corner and there's no one at home
It was cool cool, it was just all cool
Now it's over for me, and it's over for you
Well its gone gone, baby its all gone
There is no one on the corner and there's no one at home
Well it was cool cool, it was just all cool
Now it's over for me, and it's over for you

But I believe the world is burning to the ground
Oh well, I guess we're gonna find out
Let's see how far we've come
Let's see how far we've come
Well I, believe, it all, is coming to an end
Oh well, I guess, we're gonna pretend,
Let's see how far we've come
Let's see how far we've come

Let's see how far we've come
Let's see how far we've come
Let's see how far we've come
Let's see how far we've come
Let's see how far we've come
Let's see how far we've come
Let's see how far we've come


Lyrics submitted by scarecrowlyrics

How Far We've Come Lyrics as written by Paul Doucette Kyle Cook

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

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How Far We've Come song meanings
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119 Comments

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  • +3
    General CommentGreat song - the meaning is pretty clear (if you see the video). It's all about the progress of the human species to this day, and the feeling that it's all coming to a crucial point.

    Of course, that won't stop some people from interpreting this song in bizarre ways. Such as the:

    "Kurt Cobain fan": This song is about Kurt Cobain! What, isn't EVERY song about Kurt Cobain?

    "Overly emotional person": This song is about a relationship! You see, the world is, like, a girl and the sing is a boy and.... .what?

    "Jesus guy": This song is about JESUS! Every song is about JESUS! JESUS!!!!!!

    Emo/Nilism guy: "This song is about nothing - it's meaningless. I hate it. But I listen to it. I hate everything.

    "I like this song guy": I love this song! Whoooo! I love this song! Whooooo! What? What meaning?
    Occams_Harmonyon October 25, 2007   Link
  • +2
    General Commentglobal warming and the end of the world. for sure.
    blueblueblueon August 24, 2007   Link
  • +1
    General CommentI first heard this song right after I heard that an ex was getting married and though it's been a few years, and I've married someone else, I was upset. To me, this song means that relationship with the ex is really over and despite any leftover feelings, I will have to pretend there's nothing between us and that the world is completely different even though technically for me, nothing has really changed. Couldn't stop crying....Now it's over for me and it's over for you...wow - those lyrics really hit home
    snealieon November 14, 2007   Link
  • +1
    General CommentI don't think this is how Matchbox 20 made the song but it's how it spoke to me when I first heard it. To me, the song is about a person who is starting to doubt if what their life has worked up to be is really worth all they've put into it and the realization that until 'the end' we can't really know for sure if what we've done was worth anything at all. Also, I put 'the end' in inverted commas as it could refer to death or a milestone in a person's life.

    'Waking up at the start of the end of the world' - This signifies that the person is aware they are near 'the end', 'but it's feeling just like every other morning before' - despite this it gives no indication of what is to come.

    Now don't all pull faces and smirk when I say this but to me in particular I can relate this to the way that I am entering my last year of high-school and am starting to find the way I see everything is completely different from even say, the start of this year and am starting to realize that my 'world is burning to the ground' and all I can do about it is push on until I can 'see how far I've come' as I near 'the end'. I can imagine it as relating to any up-coming major lifestyle change whether it be entering parenthood, old age, a new career field or anything, perhaps even less of a deal than that which has large significance to the person listening to the song. Heh, I suppose I'm applying the 'reader response theory' here even though it's a song not a book but it still sort of works.
    TamicLotuson October 12, 2013   Link
  • 0
    General CommentIts about looking at your life and seeing everything you have done....having this feeling like everything is crashing down....u can also see it as the POV of a relationship, reaching to a point were is certain that its almost over and thinking abot your time with that person and how its going to be now....that person is your world and now is burning to the ground. Awesome song....can't wait for the new cd!!!
    ieatworldon July 20, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General CommentI love this song! I'm just so glad they're making new music. I definitely agree with ieatworld, and the song meaning could be formed to anyone's situation.
    ChloeGirldieon July 26, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Commentit's just a reflection of your life so far...what you've accomplished and whether or not you're doin any good.
    melvin45245on August 14, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Commenti think this song is one of those that will mean something different to every person.

    I think it is about a guy who suddenly realizes that life ends, and he's thinking about everything he's done over his lifetime. whether or not he's happy about it is something else.

    It reminds me to always look back at what i did with my life and see what it took to get here.
    myotismonon August 22, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General CommentThese lyrics are all wrong.
    Here are the right ones:

    I'm waking up at the start of the end of the world,
    but it's feeling just like every other morning before.
    Now I wonder what my life is going to mean if it's gone.
    The cars are moving, like, a half a mile an hour and I
    started staring at the passengers who're waving goodbye.
    Can you tell me what was ever really special about me all this time?
    But I believe the world is burning to the ground.
    Oh well, I guess we're gonna find out.
    Let's see how far we've come.
    Let's see how far we've come.
    Well I believe it all is coming to an end.
    Oh well, I guess we're gonna pretend.
    Let's see how far we've come.
    Let's see how far we've come.
    I think it turned ten o' clock, but I don't really know.
    Then I can't remember caring for an hour or so.
    Started crying and I couldn't stop myself.
    I started running, but there's nowhere to run to.
    I sat down on the street and took a look at myself,
    said, "Where you going, man? You know the world is headed for Hell.
    Say your goodbyes if you've got someone you can say goodbye to."
    I believe the world is burning to the ground.
    Oh well, I guess we're gonna find out.
    Let's see how far we've come.
    Let's see how far we've come.
    Well I believe it all is coming to an end.
    Oh well, I guess we're gonna pretend.
    Let's see how far we've come.
    Let's see how far we've come.
    It's gone, gone, baby, it's all gone.
    There is no one on the corner and there's no one at home.
    It was cool, cool, it was just all cool.
    Now it's over for me and it's over for you.
    Well, it's gone, gone, baby, it's all gone.
    There is no one on the corner and there's no one at home.
    Well, it was cool, cool, it was just all cool.
    Now it's over for me and it's over for you.
    But I believe the world is burning to the ground.
    Oh well, I guess we're gonna find out.
    Let's see how far we've come.
    Let's see how far we've come.
    Well I believe it all is coming to an end.
    Oh well, I guess we're gonna pretend.
    Let's see how far we've come.
    Let's see how far we've come.
    Let's see how far we've come.
    Let's see how far we've come.
    Let's see how far we've come.
    Let's see how far we've come.
    Let's see how far we've come.
    Let's see how far we've come.
    Let's see how far we've come.
    mightbeafoolon August 24, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General CommentYeah, it's great and all that they're making new stuff, but I miss their old music.
    Nicole :)on August 27, 2007   Link

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