Between the Bars
Elliott Smith Lyrics
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With the things you could do, you won't but you might
The potential you'll be that you'll never see
The promises you'll only make
Drink up with me now and forget all about
The pressure of days, do what I say
And I'll make you okay and drive them away
The images stuck in your head
People you've been before
That you don't want around anymore
They push and shove and won't bend to your will
I'll keep them still
Drink up, baby, look at the stars
I'll kiss you again, between the bars
Where I'm seeing you there, with your hands in the air
Waiting to finally be caught
Drink up one more time and I'll make you mine
Keep you apart, deep in my heart
Separate from the rest, where I like you the best
And keep the things you forgot
The people you've been before
That you don't want around anymore
They push and shove and won't bend to your will
I'll keep them still
The lyrics to Elliott Smith's song "Between the Bars" speak to the singer's desire to escape the pressures of life and to live in the moment with someone. The singer is calling out to a companion, asking them to "drink up" and enjoy the night with him. Smith's lyrics draw attention to the potential that individuals possess but often fail to realize. The singer urges his partner to forget about the noise and clutter of daily life and to live in the present moment with him. In this way, they can reach their full potential and enjoy life to the fullest.
Furthermore, the song's lyrics speak to the issue of memories and past relationships. The singer discusses the people from the past who have caused difficulties, suggesting that they can be discarded in favor of a new, better relationship. In this way, the singer is offering companionship that can displace the negativity and toxic people from the past. As he tells the subject to "drink up," he promises to protect them from the negative people from the past, something that they can forget and live in peace in his embrace.
In conclusion, the song speaks to the idea that despite the bad memories and the toxic people in our lives, we can find good in the present moment, find companionship, and overcome those negative forces.
Line by Line Meaning
Drink up, baby, stay up all night
Encouraging someone to consume alcohol and stay awake all night
With the things you could do, you won't but you might
Not exercising the potential to do something but still thinking about it
The potential you'll be that you'll never see
One is unaware of their true potential
The promises you'll only make
Promising to do something without actually following through with it
Drink up with me now and forget all about
Encouraging someone to drink with the artist and forget their worries
The pressure of days, do what I say
The singer wants the listener to follow their lead and relieve the pressure of daily life
And I'll make you okay and drive them away
The singer promises to make the listener feel better and push negative thoughts away
The images stuck in your head
The negative images the listener has in their mind
People you've been before
Referring to past acquaintances
That you don't want around anymore
The listener no longer wants these people in their life
They push and shove and won't bend to your will
These past acquaintances are difficult to get rid of and won't listen to the listener's desires
I'll keep them still
The artist promises to keep these past acquaintances away from the listener
Drink up, baby, look at the stars
Encouraging the listener to drink and admire the stars
I'll kiss you again, between the bars
The singer will express affection for the listener while they are between the bars (perhaps a window)
Where I'm seeing you there, with your hands in the air
The singer is envisioning the listener with their hands reaching up, waiting to be caught
Waiting to finally be caught
The listener is waiting for someone to love them back and give them attention
Drink up one more time and I'll make you mine
The artist promises to make the listener their own if they drink one more time
Keep you apart, deep in my heart
The singer will hold the listener close in their heart
Separate from the rest, where I like you the best
The singer will keep the listener separate from others because they like them the most
And keep the things you forgot
The artist will remember things the listener forgot
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Steven Paul Smith
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind