The New Year
Death Cab for Cutie Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And I don't feel any different
The clanking of crystal
Explosions off in the distance
In the distance
So this is the new year
And I have no resolutions
Or self assigned penance
For problems with easy solutions
So everybody put your best suit or dress on
Let's make believe that we are wealthy for just this once
Lighting firecrackers off on the front lawn
As thirty dialogues bleed into one
I wish the world was flat like the old days
Then I could travel just by folding a map
No more airplanes, or speed trains, or freeways
There'd be no distance that could hold us back
There'd be no distance that could hold us back
There'd be no distance that could hold us back
So this is the new year
So this is the new year
So this is the new year
So this is the new year
"The New Year" by Death Cab for Cutie is a song that reflects on the passing of time and the start of a new year. The singer of the song realizes that, despite it being the start of a new year, he doesn't feel any different. He is surrounded by the clanking of crystal and explosions in the distance, which are presumably fireworks from the New Year's celebrations. He has no resolutions or self-assign penance for the problems that have easy solutions, signifying his acceptance of his current state and maybe his unwillingness to change.
The chorus of the song picks up pace as the singer urges everyone to put their best suits or dresses on, lighting firecrackers off on the front lawn, and making it seem like everyone present is wealthy, even if just for once. The song transports the listeners to a moment of wishful thinking and surreal possibilities, where all the dialogues, wishes, and dreams come together in a perfect utopian world.
The song's second verse presents a nostalgic longing for simpler times, where the world was flat, and traveling was only possible by folding a map. The singer misses the old world where there were no airplanes, speed trains, or freeways, resulting in no distance that could hold anyone back. It signifies an escape from the modern world's hectic pace and the desire to go back to the past's simpler life.
Line by Line Meaning
So this is the new year
The beginning of a another year has finally arrived
And I don't feel any different
The feeling of entering a new year doesn't really affect me
The clanking of crystal
The sound of new year celebrations are evident
Explosions off in the distance
Loud noises from fireworks can be heard far away
In the distance
The sounds seem to come from far away
And I have no resolutions
I haven't made any specific plans or goals for this new year
Or self assigned penance
I don't intend to punish myself for past mistakes
For problems with easy solutions
There's no need to worry about the issues that can be easily resolved
Let's make believe that we are wealthy for just this once
Everyone should pretend to be rich for a moment and enjoy the night
Lighting firecrackers off on the front lawn
The atmosphere consists of setting off fireworks outside
As thirty dialogues bleed into one
Multiple conversations merge to form a single dialogue
I wish the world was flat like the old days
I want things to return to a simpler time where travelling was easy
Then I could travel just by folding a map
It would be great if I could just use a map to navigate my way around
No more airplanes, or speed trains, or freeways
There wouldn't be a need for planes, fast trains, or highways
There'd be no distance that could hold us back
We wouldn't be restricted by distance anymore
So this is the new year
The start of another year has arrived
So this is the new year
The start of another year has arrived
So this is the new year
The start of another year has arrived
So this is the new year
The start of another year has arrived
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Benjamin Gibbard, Christopher Walla, Jason McGerr, Nicholas Harmer
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@stevendenny5667
So this is the new year
And I don't feel any different
The clanking of crystal
Explosions off in the distance (in the distance)
So this is the new year
And I have no resolutions
For self assigned penance
For problems with easy solutions
So everybody put your best suit or dress on
Let's make believe that we are wealthy for just this once
Lighting firecrackers off on the front lawn
As thirty dialogues bleed into one
I wish the world was flat like the old days
Then I could travel just by folding a map
No more airplanes, or speed trains, or freeways
There'd be no distance that can hold us back
There'd be no distance that could hold us back
There'd be no distance that could hold us back
There'd be no distance that could hold us back
So this is the new year
So this is the new year
So this is the new year
So this is the new year
@_saintcloud
It's 1/1/2024 here in New Zealand.
I come here every new years 🎉🎉
@ilikejameswalker
There hasn't been a single New Year's Eve since 2009 that I haven't listened to this song. What a phenomenal track.
@Marcury84
What about 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004, and 2003?
@glompworthyash
James Walker same. Been watching this video since 2009
@alvaroborjas
Same here.
@iqbalquosophy4374
What about this year? Happy 2020 everyone!
@monketstyling
@@iqbalquosophy4374 The bike rider gets together with the unhappy rich girl at the end, a good new year after all for her.
@Griffdog21
Happy New Year's to everyone still listening in 2024
@soulassimilate3203
i've listened to this song around midnight on New Year's Eve for over 12yrs and will continue to. 😁🤘🏻
@SomeOfTheJuice
I've listened to this song right at midnight on NYE for the last few years, and I think this tradition is going to last quite a while. Especially considering the state of the world lately. Let's hope 2022 is at least slightly better than 2020 and 2021.