“When I was approached… the lyrics immediately resonated with me. It almost felt like it was written about my own life story. Having now had the opportunity to collaborate on my own version of the song, the experience has become even more surreal.
When I was first introduced to the character of Evan Hansen, I felt like I was watching myself in high school. I knew how it felt being on the outside looking in. I knew how it felt waving through the window, wondering if anyone was waving back at me. I had terrible social anxiety, I was painfully shy, I didn’t have many friends and I rarely spoke to my classmates. I viewed social interaction as a threat, not as an opportunity to share. So I withdrew from the world around me and poured myself into my music because it was the one thing that made me feel adequate. In the same way, Evan took to writing letters, I took to writing music in order to deal with the troubles of life.”
Waving Through A Window
Owl City Lyrics
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Before I even turn the key
Before I make the mistake
Before I lead with the worst of me
Give them no reason to stare
No slipping up if you slip away
So I got nothing to share
No, I got nothing to say
Step out, step out of the sun
If you keep getting burned
Step out, step out of the sun
Because you've learned
Because you've learned
On the outside, always looking in
Will I ever be more than I've always been?
'Cause I'm tap, tap, tapping on the glass
I'm waving through a window
I try to speak, but nobody can hear
So I wait around for an answer to appear
While I'm watch, watch, watching people pass
I'm waving through a window, oh
Can anybody see
Is anybody waving back at me?
We start with stars in our eyes
We start believing that we belong
But every sun doesn't rise
And no one tells you where you went wrong
Step out, step out of the sun
If you keep getting burned
Step out, step out of the sun
Because you've learned
Because you've learned
On the outside, always looking in
Will I ever be more than I've always been?
'Cause I'm tap, tap, tapping on the glass
Waving through a window
I try to speak, but nobody can hear
So I wait around for an answer to appear
While I'm watch, watch, watching people pass
Waving through a window, oh
Can anybody see, is anybody waving?
When you're falling in a forest
And there's nobody around
Do you ever really crash
Or even make a sound?
When you're falling in a forest
And there's nobody around
Do you ever really crash
Or even make a sound?
When you're falling in a forest
And there's nobody around
Do you ever really crash
Or even make a sound?
When you're falling in a forest
And there's nobody around
Do you ever really crash
Or even make a sound?
Did I even make a sound?
Did I even make a sound?
It's like I never made a sound
Will I ever make a sound?
On the outside, always looking in
Will I ever be more than I've always been?
'Cause I'm tap, tap, tapping on the glass
Waving through a window
I try to speak, but nobody can hear
So I wait around for an answer to appear
While I'm watch, watch, watching people pass
Waving through a window, oh can anybody see
Is anybody waving back at me? (O oh)
Is anybody waving?
Waving, waving, whoa oh, whoa oh oh oh
The lyrics of Owl City's song "Waving Through A Window" convey a sense of isolation and longing for connection. The singer describes a feeling of being on the outside and always looking in, wanting to be more than they've always been. They have learned to be cautious and avoid making mistakes or showing their vulnerabilities. The metaphor of "tapping on the glass" and "waving through a window" represents their attempts to communicate and be seen, but feeling unheard and unnoticed by others. They try to speak, but nobody can hear them, leading to a sense of frustration and waiting for an answer that may never come.
The song reflects on the experience of feeling invisible and struggling to find a sense of belonging. It touches upon the universal desire for human connection and the fear of being overlooked or unheard. The lyrics suggest that despite our best efforts, we may still feel isolated and unheard, questioning whether we will ever make an impact or be seen by others.
Line by Line Meaning
I've learned to slam on the brake
I have learned to stop or prevent myself from making impulsive decisions
Before I even turn the key
Before I even start or initiate something
Before I make the mistake
Before I do something that could have negative consequences
Before I lead with the worst of me
Before I show others the negative aspects of my personality or behavior
Give them no reason to stare
Avoid providing others with any peculiar or unusual behavior that would attract their attention
No slipping up if you slip away
Do not make any mistakes or errors if you choose to distance yourself from a situation
So I got nothing to share
I do not have anything significant to contribute or talk about
No, I got nothing to say
I do not have any opinions or thoughts to express
Step out, step out of the sun
Move away from the spotlight or attention
If you keep getting burned
If you keep experiencing negative consequences or getting hurt
Because you've learned
Because you have gained knowledge or wisdom from past experiences
On the outside, always looking in
Feeling like an outsider or someone who is excluded from a particular group or situation
Will I ever be more than I've always been?
Will I ever change or grow beyond my current state or circumstances?
'Cause I'm tap, tap, tapping on the glass
Because I am trying to gain attention or communicate with others, but there is a barrier between us
I'm waving through a window
I am desperately trying to connect or interact with others, but it feels distant or unattainable
I try to speak, but nobody can hear
I attempt to express myself, but no one is listening or understanding
So I wait around for an answer to appear
I patiently wait for a response or solution to present itself
While I'm watch, watch, watching people pass
While I observe or witness people moving past me
I'm waving through a window, oh
I am desperately seeking connection or acknowledgement, but it remains elusive
Can anybody see
Is there anyone who can truly perceive or understand me?
Is anybody waving back at me?
Is there anyone who reciprocates my attempts at connection or acknowledgment?
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Benj Pasek, Justin Paul
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind