Help Yourself
Person L Lyrics
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Mostly because you don't want them to
You're never gonna get out if you don't open up
And I'm pounding on my poor bedroom door
And I'm spending time on my hardwood floors
With all the pictures of the people that I used to know, oh no
We'll I've been wandering
Searching for lord knows what
From the mountain tops to the deepest oceans
To the softest spoken ones
We're alone
Well, no one has been coming close to you
That's mostly because you don't want them to
No one's coming in if you don't let them
And there's pounding on my poor bedroom door
And I'm still spending time on my hardwood floors
With the pieces of the pictures that I used to know, oh no
Well, I've been wandering
Searching for lord knows what
From the mountain tops to the deepest oceans
To the softest spoken ones
We're alone (We're in love)
You come and get it
You've got to help yourself
You come and get it
You've got to help yourself
Well, I've been wandering
Searching for lord knows what
We're alone (We're in love)
You come and get it
You've got to help yourself, yeah
You come and get it
You've got to help yourself
The lyrics of Person L's "Help Yourself" speak to the idea that we often restrict ourselves from connection and love because we are too afraid to open up and let people in. The singer describes how they have been pounding on their own bedroom door, symbolizing their own attempts to break down the barriers they have built up around themselves. Meanwhile, they acknowledge that others are also waiting to be let in, but are unable to do so without their own permission. The use of hardwood floors and pictures of past relationships further emphasize the idea of being stuck in the past and unable to move forward.
The second verse takes a more existential turn, as the singer describes their own experiences wandering in search of something profound. However, they still remain alone, even in their travels to the "mountain tops" and "deepest oceans." The final refrain "You come and get it, you've got to help yourself" serves as the central message of the song - no one can do the work of opening up and letting others in for us, it is something we must do for ourselves.
Overall, "Help Yourself" is a powerful reminder of the importance of vulnerability and openness in forging meaningful connections with others. It speaks to the universal human experience of wanting love and companionship, but also the very real fears and barriers that can stand in our way.
Line by Line Meaning
No one has been coming close to you
You haven't had many people trying to get to know you because you don't seem receptive to that.
Mostly because you don't want them to
The reason no one comes close to you is that you actively avoid it or give off that impression.
You're never gonna get out if you don't open up
If you keep yourself closed off and don't let anyone in, you'll always feel stuck in the same place.
And I'm pounding on my poor bedroom door
The artist feels trapped and wants to break free from their own personal barriers.
And I'm spending time on my hardwood floors
The artist is spending a lot of time alone, perhaps feeling sad or contemplative.
With all the pictures of the people that I used to know, oh no
The singer is surrounded by reminders of people they used to be close to, who are no longer in their life.
Well, I've been wandering
The singer has been thoroughly searching, looking for something they can't quite articulate or define.
Searching for lord knows what
Despite all their efforts, the artist can't pinpoint what exactly it is they're looking for.
From the mountain tops to the deepest oceans
The artist has searched far and wide, particularly in extreme or hard-to-reach places.
To the softest spoken ones
The artist has even sought out quiet, gentle sources of wisdom or guidance.
We're alone
Despite their search, the singer is left feeling isolated and disconnected from others.
That's mostly because you don't want them to
The main reason the artist feels alone is that they're not putting themselves out there or allowing others to get close.
No one's coming in if you don't let them
If you keep others at arm's length, they won't be able to form any kind of deep connection with you.
With the pieces of the pictures that I used to know, oh no
The singer is still holding onto memories of people who used to be important, but those bonds have broken or faded away.
You come and get it
If you want something, you have to actively seek it out rather than waiting for it to come to you.
You've got to help yourself
You can't rely on others to fix your problems or make you happy - you have to take responsibility for your own life.
Contributed by Samuel Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Danni Lee
I had no idea they made this album until I went out and bought it today. This is the best song off Initial.
katlo9
This song is so unique, Love it. And I love the way that Kenny sings :)
Long Lifted
Helped me so much deal with my breakup. It broke me, and I like to think this CD along with The Positives I got out safely. So sad that they haven't continued making tunes.
AlemanJuan
i'd sound stupid trying to describe this tune... but the lyrics are terribly insightful.