When you look into the mirror
Are you proud of what you see?
Do you take it all for granted?
Do you have all that you need?

Now I don't want to tell you
That I've heard it all before
'Cause I've been taking
More than I've been giving

And underneath my shadow
There's so much that lies in store
Simple things
Make it all worth living

[Chorus: x2]
Looking for life without sorrow
Love without pain

So you've built these walls around you
To protect all that you own
You have kept out what's important
How's it feel to be all alone?

I don't want to tell you
That I've heard it all before
'Cause I've been taking
More than I've been giving

And underneath my shadow
There's so much that lies in store
Simple things
Make life worth living

[Chorus: x2]

I don't claim to know the answers
I just know I could do much more
No excuses anymore

Now I've opened up my window
Hear the children on the street
Love has stolen all the bitterness
And sent it off with the breeze

Now I don't want to tell you
That I've heard it all before
'Cause I've been taking
More than I've been giving

And underneath my shadow
There's so much that lies in store
Simple things
Make it all worth living

[Chorus: x3]

Overall Meaning

The Tedeschi Trucks Band's song Simple Things is a song that reminds listeners to focus on the essentials of life rather than pursuing material possessions. The song begins with the question - when you look into the mirror, are you proud of what you see? The mirror here is a metaphor for introspection or self-awareness, asking if we are content with who we are or if we are constantly chasing external goals. The second line of the verse "Do you take it all for granted? Do you have all that you need?" brings up the theme of gratitude and reminds us to be grateful for what we already have.

The chorus of the song reiterates that we should be seeking a life without sorrow and love without pain, but in doing so, we shouldn't forget to enjoy life's simple pleasures. The second verse talks about the walls we build around us to protect our possessions and keep out what's important. The verse points out that we remain alone, cut off from the world we desire to experience, when we build walls in our hearts or in our lives.

In the final verse, the singer admits they don't have all the answers but have realized that there’s no excuse for not doing what we can do. We should focus on being kind and open to love, represented by the sound of children playing, and appreciate the simple things in life. In essence, the song urges listeners to live life to the fullest by cherishing the moments and experiences that matter the most.

Line by Line Meaning

When you look into the mirror
When you reflect on your actions and choices in life

Are you proud of what you see?
Are you content with the person you have become?

Do you take it all for granted?
Do you fail to appreciate what you have?

Do you have all that you need?
Do you possess all the important things in life?

Now I don't want to tell you
I'm hesitant to say

That I've heard it all before
That I'm familiar with this situation

'Cause I've been taking
Because I have been receiving or benefiting from something

More than I've been giving
More than I have been contributing or putting in effort

And underneath my shadow
Beneath my exterior appearance or behavior

There's so much that lies in store
There are many hidden, undiscovered aspects of myself

Simple things
The small, ordinary things in life

Make it all worth living
Give meaning or purpose to life

[Chorus: x2] Looking for life without sorrow Love without pain
Asking for a life free of negative emotions

So you've built these walls around you
You have constructed emotional barriers to protect yourself

To protect all that you own
To safeguard the material possessions you have acquired

You have kept out what's important
You have excluded or neglected the things that really matter

How's it feel to be all alone?
Do you feel lonely despite your material wealth?

I don't claim to know the answers
I don't profess to have all the solutions

I just know I could do much more
I believe I have the potential to make a greater impact

No excuses anymore
I am no longer making justifications for my behavior

Now I've opened up my window
I have increased my awareness and opened myself up to new experiences

Hear the children on the street
Listen to and appreciate the innocent joy of the younger generation

Love has stolen all the bitterness
Love has replaced negative emotions with positivity

And sent it off with the breeze
It has been released and carried away by the wind

And underneath my shadow
Beneath my exterior appearance or behavior

There's so much that lies in store
There are many hidden, undiscovered aspects of myself

Simple things
The small, ordinary things in life

Make it all worth living
Give meaning or purpose to life

[Chorus: x3]
Reiteration of desire for a life free of negative emotions

Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: DEREK CHRISTOPHER TRUCKS, GARY LOURIS, GARY MICHAEL LOURIS, SUSAN TEDESCHI

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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