Back To School
A Great Big Pile Of Leaves Lyrics
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Where did the summer go?
Gonna do it different
Gonna start over
I'm gonna plan
I'm gonna take some notes
But where did the summer go?
Where did the summer go?
I'm not ready for it to be over
I'm not ready for you to go
I'm not ready for it to be over
I'm not ready for you to go
Where did the summer go?
Where did the summer go?
Gonna do it different
Gonna ask you to dance
I never had the chance
Gonna do it different
Gonna ask you to dance
I never had the chance
I'm not ready for it to be over
I'm not ready for you to go
I'm not ready for it to be over
I'm not ready for you to go
First day back to school and I'm sleeping
Trying to force myself to enjoy reading
But fixated on jumping garbage cans
I'm never in the present tense
Where did the summer go?
I'm not ready for it to be over
I'm not ready for you to go
I'm not ready for it to be over
I'm not ready for you to go
Where did the summer go?
Where did the summer go?
The song "Back To School" by A Great Big Pile Of Leaves is a reflection on the end of summer and the start of a new school year. The lyrics lament the end of the carefree days of summer and express a desire to hold onto those moments just a bit longer. The singer vows to do things differently, to plan and take notes, to seize opportunities that were missed before. The chorus repeats the plaintive refrain, "I'm not ready for it to be over, I'm not ready for you to go," conveying a sense of reluctance to move on from the summer and face the challenges that lie ahead.
The second verse features the singer struggling to focus on schoolwork, distracted by memories of summer activities like jumping garbage cans. The imagery in this verse highlights the conflict between the desire to hold onto the joyful moments of the past and the need to move forward and embrace new experiences. The repeated question "Where did the summer go?" emphasizes the fleeting nature of time and the preciousness of moments that can never be recaptured.
Overall, "Back To School" is a poignant reflection on the bittersweet transition from summer to fall, from carelessness to responsibility, from youth to maturity.
Line by Line Meaning
Where did the summer go?
Wondering where the summer vacation time has gone
Where did the summer go?
Continuing to question where the summer vacation time has gone
Gonna do it different
Intending to make some changes
Gonna start over
Planning to begin again with a fresh start
I'm gonna plan
Making a deliberate plan of action
I'm gonna take some notes
Intending to keep record and learn from experiences
But where did the summer go?
Questioning where the summer vacation time has disappeared to despite intentions
Where did the summer go?
Continuing to question where the summer vacation time has disappeared to
I'm not ready for it to be over
Not emotionally ready for summer vacation to end
I'm not ready for you to go
Not ready to say goodbye to a significant person in their life
I'm not ready for it to be over
Reiterating that they are not prepared for summer vacation to end
I'm not ready for you to go
Reiterating that they are not ready to say goodbye to a significant person in their life
Gonna ask you to dance
Planning to make a move and ask someone to dance
I never had the chance
Regretting not taking the opportunity to ask someone to dance before
Gonna do it different
Intending to make a new choice and ask someone to dance
I'm not ready for it to be over
Continuing to express emotional unpreparedness
I'm not ready for you to go
Continuing to express reluctance to say goodbye
I'm not ready for it to be over
Reiterating emotional unpreparedness for summer vacation to end
I'm not ready for you to go
Reiterating reluctance to say goodbye to a significant person in their life
First day back to school and I'm sleeping
Feeling tired and unmotivated on the first day of school
Trying to force myself to enjoy reading
Attempting to push oneself to find enjoyment in academic tasks
But fixated on jumping garbage cans
Distracted and focused on a non-academic activity
I'm never in the present tense
Not living in the moment or being engaged in the current task
Where did the summer go?
A repetitive questioning of where the summer vacation time has gone
I'm not ready for it to be over
A repeating expression of emotional unpreparedness for summer vacation to end
I'm not ready for you to go
A repeating expression of reluctance to say goodbye to a significant person in their life
Where did the summer go?
Concluding repetition of questioning where the summer vacation time has gone
Contributed by Henry F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
swatchwatchable
One of my favorite songs on the record, but the entire record is outfuckingstanding start to finish. No filler at all. Song after song, so good. I know people sometimes go overboard with praise for records, but this one deserves it. These guys did a fantastic job on this album. It's beautiful.
Ozeki
This song does a good job of taking your soul back to college days. Growing up isn't fun guys, live it up at school. You only get to do it once. ='(
Capstar LaCroix
Lyrics are so easy to relate to and so real. Best album I've heard in a long long long time.
William Grimm
As a teacher for the last 8 years, this is a song I love but hits hard. "Where did the summer go?"
Safetosurfthisbeach
I listen to it every year the night before the first day back to teaching. I'm listening to it tonight!
sun of n0thing
That lead guitar tone is super gorgeous!
holyelement
This song puts my mind at ease.
Christian Rodriguez
One of my favorite songs to sing along to!
Safetosurfthisbeach
I listen to this song every year on the night before I go back to school to teach another year. Been 9 years of listening so far.
Niko Salem
<3 this song is apart of the soundtrack of my life.