I'll fascinate you for awhile
My hands in wait to please, so well
When I wake to realize, all I'd done
I'll be breaking strings
And all you're gonna feel
Is undone

I will not stay if you ask me to stay
Do not ask me to stay because I will not stay

Why do we always collide
Stuck onto different sides

You resignation, don't simply file
Its not imaginable ?
Your love
What I wake up to find
All I've done is unkind
All you're gonna feel is untied
Untied

Why do we always collide
Stuck onto different sides
Why do we always collide
Stuck onto different sides
Why do we always collide
Stuck onto different sides
Why do we all
Why do we all

Overall Meaning

Collide by Rachael Yamagata is a hauntingly emotional song about love and the inevitable conflicts that arise in relationships. The song starts with the singer talking about how she can easily captivate her partner and make them feel good, but warns that eventually, she will end up breaking things and cause them to feel undone. The lines "My hands in wait to please, so well" gives the impression that the singer may be too eager to please everyone, and that trait may have negative repercussions.

Throughout the song, the singer continues to describe the complexities of love and relationships, and how sometimes, reaching a point of resignation is inevitable. The line "Your resignation don't simply file, it's not imaginable? Your love" may refer to her partner's lack of effort to communicate, make amends and compromise, leading to the feeling that there is no hope for the relationship. When she wakes up, all she realizes is the unkind things she has done, leading to a feeling of being untied and disconnected. The repeated question, "Why do we always collide, stuck on different sides?" echoes the frustration and confusion felt in a broken relationship.

The song is deeply personal and relatable to anyone who has felt the push and pull of a turbulent relationship. Yamagata's voice and the slow, melancholic melody add to the overall sad tone of the song, making it a powerful ballad that speaks to the heart.

Line by Line Meaning

I'll fascinate you for awhile
I will captivate your attention and interest for some time

My hands in wait to please, so well
I am ready to satisfy your needs and desires expertly

When I wake to realize, all I'd done
After I come to my senses, I will recognize my actions

I'll be breaking strings
I will cause damage or harm to our relationship

And all you're gonna feel
You will experience the emotions resulting from my actions

Is undone
You will feel disconnected or separated from me

I will not stay if you ask me to stay
I refuse to remain if you request my presence

Do not ask me to stay because I will not stay
Don't bother asking me to stay because I won't do it

Why do we always collide
Why do we constantly clash or have conflicts with each other

Stuck onto different sides
We have opposing viewpoints or goals that make it difficult to agree

You resignation, don't simply file
Don't just accept defeat or give up on us

Its not imaginable ?
It's hard to comprehend or fathom

Your love
The feelings and affection you have for me

What I wake up to find
What I realize or discover when I wake up

All I've done is unkind
All of my actions have been harsh or hurtful

All you're gonna feel is untied
You will feel disconnected or separated from me

Why do we always collide
Why do we constantly clash or have conflicts with each other

Stuck onto different sides
We have opposing viewpoints or goals that make it difficult to agree

Why do we all
Why do all of us, as human beings, have this problem

just now