You've Haunted Me All My Life
Death Cab for Cutie Lyrics
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Through endless days and countless nights
There was a storm when I was just a kid
Stripped the last code of innocence
You've haunted me all my life
You're always out of reach when I'm in pursuit
Long winded then suddenly mute
And there's a flaw in my heart's design
For I keep trying to make you mine
You've haunted me all my life
You've haunted me all my life
You are the mistress I can't make a wife
And you've haunted me all my life
And so I wait but I never seem to learn
How to capture your diminishing returns
I still see you through the eyes of a child
Not even thinking we could tame the wild
You've haunted me all my life
You've haunted me all my life
You are the mistress I can't make a wife
And you've haunted me all my life
You've haunted me all my life
You've haunted me all my life
You are the mistress I can't make a wife
And you've haunted me all my life
The lyrics to Death Cab for Cutie's You've Haunted Me All My Life speak to the lingering, unshakeable presence of someone in the singer's life. This person has haunted them since childhood, through all of life's highs and lows. Despite the singer's constant pursuit, this person always seems out of reach, leaving the singer to feel helpless in their pursuit of them.
The storm referenced in the second line of the first verse seems to represent a turning point in the singer's life, or at least in their understanding of the world. It stripped them of their innocence, leaving them vulnerable to the haunting presence of this person. Even though the singer recognizes the flaws in their pursuit of this person and acknowledges that they cannot make them a proper partner, they cannot let go of the idea of being with them.
In some ways, the song speaks to the struggle between childhood and adulthood. The singer still sees this person through the eyes of a child, unable to reconcile their desire for them with the practical realities of life. It's a poignant and relatable sentiment that speaks to the long-lasting impact one person can have on our lives, whether or not they are a positive presence.
Line by Line Meaning
You've haunted me all my life
The person being addressed has had a lingering presence and impact on the singer's life.
Through endless days and countless nights
The impact of the person has been ever-present, day and night.
There was a storm when I was just a kid
The singer faced an early challenge or traumatic event in their life.
Stripped the last code of innocence
The storm took away the artist's last shred of childhood innocence.
You're always out of reach when I'm in pursuit
The person remains elusive despite the artist's attempts to pursue them.
Long winded then suddenly mute
The person's communication style is inconsistent and confusing.
And there's a flaw in my heart's design
The singer recognizes a fault in themselves that leads them to repeatedly pursue the unattainable person.
For I keep trying to make you mine
Despite the challenges and flaws, the artist still desires to have a relationship with the person.
You are the mistress I can't make a wife
The person is an unattainable love interest who cannot be committed to as a spouse or partner.
And so I wait but I never seem to learn
The artist continues to patiently wait for a chance with the person, despite past failures and disappointments.
How to capture your diminishing returns
The singer is unsuccessfully attempting to hold onto the person when their interest is gradually fading.
I still see you through the eyes of a child
The artist's perspective on the person remains naive and immature, like that of a younger version of themselves.
Not even thinking we could tame the wild
The singer and the person never considered the possibility of a long-term, committed relationship between them.
You've haunted me all my life
The person's impact on the singer's life has been pervasive and long-lasting.
You've haunted me all my life
The person's presence and influence on the singer has persisted throughout their life.
You are the mistress I can't make a wife
The person is an idealized but unattainable love interest who cannot be fully committed to.
And you've haunted me all my life
The person's impact on the artist's life has been so significant that they haunt the artist's thoughts and memories.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Benjamin Gibbard
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
springfreesia
You've haunted me all my life
Through endless days and countless nights
There was a storm when I was just a kid
Stripped the last code of innocence
You've haunted me all my life
You're always out of reach when I'm in pursuit
Long winded then suddenly mute
And there's a flaw in my heart's design
For I keep trying to make you mine
You've haunted me all my life
You've haunted me all my life
You are the mistress I can't make a wife
And you've haunted me all my life
And so I wait but I never seem to learn
How to capture your diminishing returns
I still see you through the eyes of a child
Not even thinking we could tame the wild
You've haunted me all my life
You've haunted me all my life
You are the mistress I can't make a wife
And you've haunted me all my life
You've haunted me all my life
You've haunted me all my life
You are the mistress I can't make a wife
And you've haunted me all my life
Read more: Death Cab For Cutie - Youu2019ve Haunted Me All My Life Lyrics | MetroLyrics
Todd Marshall
Death Cab for Cutie has the astounding ability to make me feel nostalgic with songs I'm hearing for the first time
Audrey Hipwell
i've just discovered this band and i completely agree with you.
Zarzar
Welcome to absolute amazingness
Jasmine Harvey
Me rn..
Amelia Moll
Nailed it. This is what I haven't been able to put my finger on when listening.
Christina Rosati
I saw them perform this live last night and I swear my soul exploded... So good
Jessica Lauren
i want so badly for my soul to explode 😤
j r
@Jessica Lauren your time will come, just like all of our tomorrows
Big Shock
@j r I hope so.....I hope so
Baron Faron
Treat her right guys. If she's the best part of your life treat her as such. Never let her doubt it for a second. Same goes for all the girls out there