In Massachusetts, only thirty minutes from Alewife
I lay in my room
Wonderin' why I've got this life
I met you by surprise
You were hangin' out all the time
But you know you saved me from doin'
Something to myself that night

You called me seven times
One, two, three, four, on the line
I didn't mean to scare you
Just had the thoughts in my mind
They showed up to my door
My parents didn't know what for
Swear I could've done it
If you weren't there when I hit the floor

It's been so long
And you've been my sister all along
But you know I'll be alright
Eighth grade was never that tight

Overall Meaning

The song Alewife, by the American singer-songwriter Clairo, describes a reflection on life, suicide, and the importance of true friendship. The lyrics tell a story of a time when Clairo was feeling helpless and considering suicide. She reveals that she was saved by a close friend who had been hanging out with her and who she had met "by surprise." The friend had called her seven times, which she mentions specifically, expressing how significant this was to her. Clairo emphasizes that she did not mean to frighten her friend with her thoughts but was grateful for her presence when she hit the floor.

The song's setting in Massachusetts is significant because Alewife is a neighborhood in Cambridge known for being a major transportation hub. The lyrics reference the location as being only thirty minutes away, underscoring how close Clairo was to the dark thoughts she was grappling with at the time. The melody is minimalist and melancholic, and Clairo's voice is soft and emotive, giving the song an intimate feel. The phrase "Eighth grade was never that tight" refers to a time period in Clairo's life when she was experiencing overwhelming anxiety and depression, specifically in eighth grade.

Overall, Alewife is a poignant song that speaks to many people who may have gone through a similar experience or know someone who has. It's also a reminder of the importance of friendship and how profound an impact it can have on someone's life.

Line by Line Meaning

In Massachusetts, only thirty minutes from Alewife
The song starts with the location where the singer is currently at, which is a thirty-minute ride from Alewife.

I lay in my room
The singer is lying down and most probably feeling unwell or gloomy about their life.

Wonderin' why I've got this life
In deep thought, the singer is pondering the purpose of their life.

I met you by surprise
The singer unexpectedly met the person they are singing about.

You were hangin' out all the time
The person came around frequently, not necessarily for any specific reason.

But you know you saved me from doin'
The person being sung about helped the singer avert a drastic decision or action.

Something to myself that night
The singer avoided doing harm to themselves on a particular night.

You called me seven times
The person being sung about tried to contact the singer multiple times.

One, two, three, four, on the line
The person called the singer as many as four times in a row.

I didn't mean to scare you
The singer feels that they worried the other person even though they didn't mean to.

Just had the thoughts in my mind
The singer was dealing with negative or distressed thoughts at the time.

They showed up to my door
Someone came to the singer's door.

My parents didn't know what for
The person who arrived was not someone the singer's parents recognized or knew.

Swear I could've done it
The singer believed that they were capable of going through with something dangerous or harmful.

If you weren't there when I hit the floor
The person being sung about prevented the singer from experiencing something regrettable, notably a harmful act or a possible escalation of negative thoughts.

It's been so long
The singer acknowledges that a significant amount of time has elapsed.

And you've been my sister all along
The person being sung about has had the role of a sister to the singer.

But you know I'll be alright
The singer expresses gratitude for the person's support and assures them that they will be alright.

Eighth grade was never that tight
The singer reminisces about eighth grade, expressing negative feelings towards that period of their life.

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Claire Cottrill, Rostam Batmanglij

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind