Wake Me Up
02.Avicii Lyrics

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Feeling my way through the darkness
Guided by a beating heart
I can't tell where the journey will end
But I know where to start
They tell me I'm too young to understand
They say I'm caught up in a dream
Well life will pass me by if I don't open up my eyes
Well that's fine by me

So wake me up when it's all over
When I'm wiser and I'm older
All this time I was finding myself, and I
Didn't know I was lost

So wake me up when it's all over
When I'm wiser and I'm older
All this time I was finding myself, and I
Didn't know I was lost

I tried carrying the weight of the world
But I only have two hands
Hope I get the chance to travel the world
But I don't have any plans
Wish that I could stay forever this young
Not afraid to close my eyes
Life's a game made for everyone
And love is a prize

So wake me up when it's all over
When I'm wiser and I'm older
All this time I was finding myself, and I
Didn't know I was lost

So wake me up when it's all over
When I'm wiser and I'm older
All this time I was finding myself, and I
I didn't know I was lost

I didn't know I was lost
I didn't know I was lost

I didn't know I was lost
I didn't know

Overall Meaning

"I didn't know I was lost," the singer of Avicii's song Wake Me Up asserts over and over again throughout the chorus of the song. This line is a representation of a coming-of-age experience, where the singer realizes that they didn't know who they truly were till they "found themselves." The singer acknowledges that life is a journey with no predetermined end as you make your way through the "darkness" with the "beating heart" leading the way. He acknowledges that he might not have all the answers and his journey might take unexpected turns, but he starts knowing his destination. As he navigates through life, there'll be individuals telling him that he is naive, young, and not ready to face the world; however, he isn't swayed by their opinions. Instead, he wants to use his youth and his willingness to experience anything and everything in life to find his purpose. The lyrics hold a message of finding oneself, of understanding that the trials and tribulations are part of the process and that it's okay to not have everything figured out as life progresses.

The song has a folk-pop vibe, which is an unusual choice for an EDM artist. The genre-beating sound of the song was a deliberate step by Avicii to create something different from his other works. The song showcases a mix of bluegrass and electronic dance music, and it's stripped-down, but upbeat melody contrasts nicely with the heavy bass that EDM listeners love. It is why the song is universally loved and holds sway over different genres of music lovers.

Line by Line Meaning

Feeling my way through the darkness
Navigating through life without a clear path or direction.

Guided by a beating heart
Being led by one's intuition and emotions.

I can't tell where the journey will end
Uncertainty and unpredictability of life.

But I know where to start
Belief in oneself to take the first step towards a journey.

They tell me I'm too young to understand
Disbelief of older generations in the capabilities of the youth.

They say I'm caught up in a dream
Criticism of unrealistic aspirations and ambitions.

Well life will pass me by if I don't open up my eyes
Realization that not taking action will result in missed opportunities.

Well that's fine by me
Acceptance of the consequences of inaction.

So wake me up when it's all over
Desire to escape the current state of uncertainty and find clarity.

When I'm wiser and I'm older
Hope for future growth and learning.

All this time I was finding myself, and I
A journey of self-discovery and realization of one's identity.

Didn't know I was lost
Unawareness of being lost until self-discovery.

I tried carrying the weight of the world
Attempting to take on too much responsibility and burden.

But I only have two hands
Recognizing one's limitations and need for support.

Hope I get the chance to travel the world
Desire for exploration and new experiences.

But I don't have any plans
Uncertainty and spontaneity in life's journeys.

Wish that I could stay forever this young
Nostalgia for the simplicity and carefree nature of youth.

Not afraid to close my eyes
Lack of fear in taking risks and facing the unknown.

Life's a game made for everyone
Life is a journey that everyone can participate in and find meaning in.

And love is a prize
Love is one of the biggest rewards in life.

I didn't know I was lost
Reiteration of the realization of being lost before self-discovery.

Lyrics © CONSALAD CO., Ltd., Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Tim Bergling, Michael Aaron Einziger, Egbert Nathaniel Dawkins

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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