Have you ever
░The Offspring░ Lyrics

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Falling, I'm falling

Have you ever walked through a room
But it was more like the room passed around you
Like there was a leash around your neck that pulled you through

Have you ever been at someplace
Recognizing everybody's face

Until you realized that there was no one there you knew
Well I know

Some days, my soul's confined and out of mind
Sleep forever
Some days, I'm so outshined and out of time
Have you ever

Falling, I'm falling

Have you ever buried your face in your hands
'Cause no one around you understands
Or has the slightest idea what it is that makes you be

Have you ever felt like there was more
Like someone else was keeping score
And what could make you whole was simply out of reach
Well I know

Someday I'll try again and not pretend
This time forever
Someday I'll get it straight but not today
Have you ever

Falling, I'm falling

Some days, my soul's confined and out of mind
Sleep forever
Some days, my darkest friend is me again
Have you ever
Someday I'll try again and not pretend
This time forever
Someday I'll get it straight but not today
Have you ever

When the truth walks away
Everybody stays
'Cause the truth about the world is that crime does pay

So if you walk away
Who is gonna stay
'Cause I'd like to think the world is a better place

When the truth walks away
Everybody stays
'Cause the truth about the world is that crime does pay

So if you walk away
Who is gonna stay
'Cause I'd like to make the world be a better place

When the truth walks away
Everybody stays
'Cause the truth about the world is that crime does pay

So if you walk away
Who is gonna stay
'Cause I'd like to think the world is a better place

I'd like to leave the world as a better place
I'd like to think the world

Overall Meaning

The Offspring's song "Have you ever" is a reflection on the feelings of alienation and disconnection from oneself and from others. The opening lines "falling, I'm falling" set the tone for the lyrics that follow, where the band asks if the listener has ever felt like they were stuck in a room and unable to escape. The imagery of a leash around the neck conveys a feeling of being trapped and controlled. The song then asks if the listener has ever been in a place where they don't know anyone and feel isolated, recognizing familiar faces but feeling disconnected from them.

The lyrics then move to a more introspective space, with the band asking if the listener has ever buried their face in their hands because nobody around them understands what they are going through. The lyrics suggest that there is something missing, a sense of incompleteness, where the desire to be whole is out of reach. The bridge of the song encourages the listener to keep trying to find their place in the world, to "try again and not pretend" and to get things straight in the future.

The song concludes with a message of hope, that despite the world's problems and injustices, it is possible to make it a better place. By not walking away from the truth and by staying engaged, the listener can contribute to a brighter future.

Line by Line Meaning

Falling, I'm falling
The singer is feeling like they are losing control and falling.

Have you ever walked through a room But it was more like the room passed around you Like there was a leash around your neck that pulled you through
The singer feels like they are being pulled through life on a leash, with no control.

Have you ever been at someplace Recognizing everybody's face Until you realized that there was no one there you knew Well I know
The singer feels alone and disconnected from the people around them.

Some days, my soul's confined and out of mind Sleep forever Some days, I'm so outshined and out of time Have you ever
The artist experiences times where they feel trapped and disconnected from themselves.

Have you ever buried your face in your hands 'Cause no one around you understands Or has the slightest idea what it is that makes you be
The artist feels misunderstood and alone in their struggles.

Have you ever felt like there was more Like someone else was keeping score And what could make you whole was simply out of reach Well I know
The singer feels like they are missing something and that their happiness is always out of reach.

Someday I'll try again and not pretend This time forever Someday I'll get it straight but not today Have you ever
The singer hopes that someday they will be able to get their life together.

Some days, my soul's confined and out of mind Sleep forever Some days, my darkest friend is me again Have you ever
The artist experiences days where they feel lost and trapped within their own mind.

Someday I'll try again and not pretend This time forever Someday I'll get it straight but not today Have you ever
The artist hopes for a better future where they can find clarity and honesty.

When the truth walks away Everybody stays 'Cause the truth about the world is that crime does pay So if you walk away Who is gonna stay 'Cause I'd like to think the world is a better place
The artist reflects on the harsh reality that sometimes, bad people are rewarded, and calls for people to stay and work towards making the world a better place.

Lyrics © SHAPIRO BERNSTEIN & CO. INC.
Written by: ANDERS BAGGE, DARYL F HALL, LAILA BAGGE, PEER ASTROM, TOM NICHOLS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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