Please take a long hard look through your text book
'Cause I'm history
When I strap my helmet on I'll be long gone
Cause I've been dying to leave
Yeah, I'll ride the range and hide all my loose change
In my bedroom
'Cause riding a dirt bike down a turnpike
Always takes it's toll on me

I've had just about enough
Of quote, "diamonds in the rough"
Because my backbone is paper thin
Get me out of this cavern
Or I'll cave in (I'll cave in, I'll cave in)

If the bombs go off
The sun will still be shining (the sun will still be shining)
Because we've heard it said that every mushroom cloud
Has a silver lining
(Though we're always undermining too deep to know)
Swallow a drop of gravel and blacktop
'Cause the road tastes like wintergreen
The wind and the rain smell of oil and octane
Mixed with stale gasoline
I'll soak up the sound trying to sleep on the wet ground
I'll get ten minutes give-or-take
'Cause I just don't foresee myself getting drowsy
When cold integrity keeps me wide awake

Get me out of this cavern
Or I'll cave in (cave in, cave in, cave in, cave in, cave in)
Get me out of this cavern
Or I'll cave in

I'll keep my helmet on just in case my head caves in (in case my head caves in)
'Cause if my thoughts collapse or my framework snaps
It'll make a mess like you wouldn't believe
Tie my handlebars to the stars so I stay on track (so I stay on track)
And if my intentions stray I'll wrench them away
Then I'll take my leave and I won't even look back

I won't even look back

Overall Meaning

In "Cave In," Owl City takes the listener on a journey through the mind of someone who is fed up with their current situation and longs to escape. The opening lines reveal the singer's desire to leave behind history and all that has anchored him in place. The notion of strapping on a helmet and riding a dirt bike symbolizes the need for speed and freedom from the confinements of daily life. The imagery in the song evokes a sense of desperation to leave behind the mundane and embrace the wild and unknown.

The second verse takes a darker turn, with a reference to bombs and mushroom clouds. Despite the destruction that is happening, the singer still clings to the hope that there is a silver lining to all of this chaos, even though humanity may be undermining itself to destruction. Further, the description of the road tasting like wintergreen, the smell of oil and gasoline, and the sound of trying to sleep on wet ground all contribute to the image of a weary traveler searching for a way out.

The chorus reinforces this sense of desperation, with the repeated plea to "get me out of this cavern, or I'll cave in." The final stanza uses the metaphor of tying handlebars to the stars to stay on track, representing the need for a strong sense of guidance and direction in order to avoid collapsing under the weight of one's thoughts and feelings.

Line by Line Meaning

Please take a long hard look through your textbook
Pay close attention to the things you're learning because I'll be gone soon

'Cause I'm history
I'm leaving or disappearing

When I strap my helmet on I'll be long gone
I'm leaving or running away as soon as I'm ready

Cause I've been dying to leave
I've wanted to leave for a long time

Yeah, I'll ride the range and hide all my loose change in my bedroom
I'll go far away and hide my possessions in my bedroom to protect them

'Cause riding a dirt bike down a turnpike always takes its toll on me
Riding a bike for long distances is really tiring and takes a toll on me

I've had just about enough of quote, diamonds in the rough
I'm tired of hearing about people who have potential but are not fully developed

Because my backbone is paper thin
I don't have enough strength or resilience to handle things

Get me out of this cavern
Help me escape from this difficult situation or place

Or I'll cave in
Or I'll break down and fail

If the bombs go off
If there is a big disaster or attack

The sun will still be shining
The world will keep going and things will keep happening even in disaster

Because we've heard it said that every mushroom cloud has a silver lining
People always look for reasons for hope or optimism, even in the darkest situations

Swallow a drop of gravel and blacktop
Accept the harsh reality of the situation

'Cause the road tastes like wintergreen
The situation may seem bad, but it can also be refreshing in a way

The wind and the rain smell of oil and octane mixed with stale gasoline
The air smells of pollution and bad things

I'll soak up the sound trying to sleep on the wet ground
I'll try to rest but it'll be hard on the uncomfortable, wet ground

I'll get ten minutes give-or-take
I'll only get a brief amount of rest

'Cause I just don't foresee myself getting drowsy
I don't think I'll be able to sleep

When cold integrity keeps me wide awake
I'm too stressed or scared to sleep

I'll keep my helmet on just in case my head caves in
I'll be very cautious because I don't want to fail or break down

'Cause if my thoughts collapse or my framework snaps
If I lose control of myself or fail in what I'm doing

It'll make a mess like you wouldn't believe
It'll be a very bad situation

Tie my handlebars to the stars so I stay on track
Keep me connected to my goals and success

And if my intentions stray I'll wrench them away
If I start to go off course, I'll quickly correct myself

Then I'll take my leave and I won't even look back
I'll succeed and leave without regret

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