Southern Air
10. Yellowcard Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I've watched the world go by
Outside a window
I still can't believe where I am now
It's been forever long
Adventures come and gone
And I'm left alone but not let down

'Cause I have found a gravity

A voice that pulls me to my knees
Telling me "Remember where you're from"

This southern air is all I need
Breathe it in and I can see
Canvasses behind my eyes
All the colors of my life
This southern air is in my lungs
It's in every word I've sung
It seems the only truth I know
This we'll always be home

I've thought about the day
When I could truly say I'm better now
Well here I am
'Cause I have left this gravity
Grab a hold and carry me
And I will not forget where I am from
Forget where I am from

This southern air is all I need
Breathe it in and I can see
Canvasses behind my eyes
All the colors of my life
This southern air is in my lungs
It's in every word I've sung
It seems the only truth I know
This we'll always be home
Always be home, always be home

The sun lays down inside the ocean
I'm right where I belong
Feel the air, the salt on my skin
The future's coming on
And after living through these wild years
I'm coming out alive
I just wanna lay my head here
And stop running for a while

This southern air is all I need
Breathe it in and I can see
Canvasses behind my eyes
All the colors of my life
This southern air is in my lungs
It's in every word I've sung
It seems the only truth I know
This we'll always be home
Always be home, always be home
This will always be home

This southern air is in my lungs
It's in every word I've sung
It seems the only truth I know

Is we'll always be home
Always be home, always be home

Overall Meaning

In "Southern Air" by Yellowcard, the lyrics portray a sense of nostalgia and appreciation for the familiar surroundings that the singer has grown up with. The song begins with the singer reflecting on their past adventures and experiences while looking out of a window. Despite all the changes and time that has passed, the singer is comforted by the fact that they have found their 'gravity', a powerful force that keeps them grounded and connected to their roots. The song progresses to showcase the love that the singer has for the southern air, which they claim to need and that is the only truth they know. For the singer, the southern air holds all the colors of their life and is in every word they've ever sung; this line shows that their southern origin has had a lasting impact on their identity.

The second half of the song moves towards acceptance and gratitude, with the singer feeling content with where they are in life. As they watch the sunset and feel the salt on their skin, they realize that this is where they belong; this sense of belonging becomes even clearer as they reflect on their wild years, thanking themselves for coming out alive. The song ends with the chorus, repeating the earlier sentiments that the southern air is a part of the singer's identity and that this will always be their home, which they know to be the truth.

Line by Line Meaning

I've watched the world go by outside a window
I have observed the world from a distance

I still can't believe where I am now
I am amazed by my current situation

It's been forever long, adventures come and gone
It has been a long time and I have experienced many things

And I'm left alone but not let down
I am alone, but not disappointed

'Cause I have found a gravity, a voice that pulls me to my knees
I have found something that keeps me grounded and humbled

Telling me 'Remember where you're from'
Advising me to not forget my roots

This southern air is all I need, breathe it in and I can see
The air in the south is enough to refresh me and give me clarity

Canvasses behind my eyes, all the colors of my life
The memories of my life are vivid and full of diverse experiences

This southern air is in my lungs, it's in every word I've sung
The essence of the south is ingrained in me and reflected in my music

It seems the only truth I know, this we'll always be home
The only thing that is true for me is that the south will always be home

The sun lays down inside the ocean, I'm right where I belong
The sunset over the ocean is where I feel at home

Feel the air, the salt on my skin, the future's coming on
I am embracing the present and future while fully experiencing the environment

And after living through these wild years, I'm coming out alive
I have survived through tough times and emerged stronger

I just wanna lay my head here and stop running for a while
I want to rest and take a break from constant motion

This southern air is in my lungs, it's in every word I've sung
The essence of the south is ingrained in me and reflected in my music

It seems the only truth I know is we'll always be home
The only thing that is true for me is that the south will always be home

Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Longineu Warren Parsons, Ryan Michael Mendez, Ryan William Key, Sean Michael Wellman-Mackin

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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10. Yellowcard

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Comments from YouTube:

whatever forever

8y↑173

This song makes me think of my 3 precious babies that never got to see this wild world. I listen to this song many nights and have a good cry. It's very healing and says everything I have ever thought about them. Thank you Yellowcard for helping this mother heal her shattered heart with each line and note.

Strange Reality

same here god bless

E c h 0

Lord God has you and that's the truth yeah amen hallelujah

Lizzett Manzanares

Same 😭😭

Cameron

HOW DOES THIS HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH THE SONG?!

BigDumRockett

2y↑1

@Cameron Really?

1 More Replies...

Spencer Barron

2y↑7

Thank you for this song. I’m sitting here at my daughter’s grave on Father’s Day listening and wondering. We lost her back in January. Had she come on time, this would have been her first holiday.

We really would have been best friends and watching Star Wars in our pjs.

partyboyrocks69

11y↑54

"you would be watching Star Wars with your PJ's on" - that line tore my heart in half

Corrin Buchholz

10 years ago today I found out I had lost my daughter. This song is everything I feel and needed to be able to say. Thank you for this song. Thank you for knowing the words that I couldn’t find to say. RIP DevanRaye, mommy misses and loves you so much!

Deathprincss

10y↑53

Losing a child is one of the most excruciating pains in the world...whether you lose the child to miscarriage, complications after birth, or abortion. It all hurts the same. This song offers a lot of comfort, but also brings out the sadness of that loss.

Strange Reality

perfectly said... i lost my child in 2008

thedrumdude97

12y↑42

"I never got to meet you, my best friend" always gets to me.

EnriqueCrimson

8y↑41

This song makes me think about my little brother, who just could see the world for some hours, I would like to spend time with him, teach him about life, tell my experiences, but that won't happen. Thank you Yellowcard, this song is perfect, that's one reason I love you guys

Dakota Bevino

7y↑28

I cried when I heard this song the first time and then a year or so later I experienced the pain of this song firsthand. I wouldn't wish it on anyone.

Pat Foster

3y↑2

I’ve never experienced loosing a child, and i’m not a father, but the pain and beauty in this song is why I love this band. I have had several friends loose their babies, and I can only imagine the unfathomable pain that they felt in that time. Bless anyone who has gone through that pain.

Jillian Caryl Juco

2y↑1

I remember crying when I first heard this song. Such a beautiful song from a parent.

RockinEmJ

12y

This is such a good song. Tears were streaming down my face, but i played it at least 10 times in a row.

Jordan

2y↑1

Been nearly two years since we lost you. I knew time would never heal despite me trying to convince myself. Should be up right now spending precious time with you. Instead I'm 38 hours awake crying my eyes out to this song cos I needed it. Not a day goes by where I think of you. I walk with you in my heart always, even though its so difficult to most days. I can't wait to meet you one day, I will love you forever and always.

John Linitz

11y

This song is so sad, especially when thinking about the recent tragedy in Newtown Connecticut. I hope the families of those effected by this horrible event can hear this song and help them cope with what they might be going through. I cannot even imagine what they are feeling right now. R.I.P.

Rafael Giugni

12y↑1

Finally there's a song that haves 0 dislikes, this is to everybody to know the importance of the song, the emotion on it. Yellowcard for ever.

Rohan Kishibe

10y↑32

my words cant tell how much i love yellowcard.

Pelin A.

11y

This song means so much to me. I've lived with mental illness and loneliness all my life. Then mom told me she was pregnant. Since then I started to get better. I thought he/she would be my bestfriend. I promised myself to care about the baby, grow up with him/her so he/she wouldn't have to feel bad as I do. But... My mom lost the baby. He/she was dead. I've never been the same since then.

Emo Songs and Read-alongs

3y↑3

This song is almost too much for me to handle right now. Why have I never heard this beauty before now?

Aamir Khan

11y↑3

This morning the only Yellowcard song I knew was Way Away, featured in EA Games SSX3. I always liked the song and thought "hey, why not check these guys out?". I was not prepared for what I was about to hear. After the soaring and powerful Surface Of The Sun, the infectious vibes of Here I Am Alive, the addictive headbanger Rivertown Blues and now this emotive masterpiece Ten, I tip my hat to Yellowcard for being one of the most dynamic, genre-defying bands I've ever heard. Much respect.

yomimitsune

12y

a few seconds into listening to this and I'm already getting chills.

AJ Carroll

8y↑20

one of my favorite songs from them... just hits you right in the feels every time

RecklessRadioRocker

8y↑10

I lost my first to an abusive relationship. This song helps in those darkest hours where all you can think about is of that precious little thing that got taken from you.

Celatra

Stay Strong..

montserrat aravena

6y↑5

I just lost my boyfriend in a motorcycle accident. We had so many plans among them having children and this song gets right to my heart. I never wanted to be a mom before and now that dream has been taken away from me forever.

Bothuhead 19

4y↑6

Heard this song while driving and it hit me so hard...my twin boys would be 10 this summer. I miss those guys...

GrassyBoy

2y↑1

This is, to this date, the only song to ever make me cry.

Hawken Valhalla

4y↑3

This song hits like a ton of bricks. We lost identical twins late in to the pregnancy and I can't make it through this song without getting emotional.

Rachel Hawkins

10y↑77

You know people write well when you sympathize about a situation that you, yourself, have never experienced.

styleanderror

11y

Im obsessed with this song. SO BEAUTIFUL

Tower_of_Cheeza

12y

I feel like it would be very hard for them to make a music video to live up to this song, I mean the lyrics are so touching that I feel like a video may take away from it.

Brian Gaudet

12y↑1

2 years my ex miscarried our child. I had just turned 18. Even for a young couple who's pregnancy was purely accidental, that shit still hits hard. This October will be 2 years and it's been haunting me and I didn't realize the meaning of this song until recently. And now I begin to wonder.

Vinyl-Dimer

6y↑2

Just heard it for he first time. There is no way I can picture him doing this in the studio without tears. And that is ok. Just...damn

Jean Baptiste Marty

2y↑1

First time I listen to Yellowcard, because I was looking for a song helping me in the hard time of loosing a child. You sing what I got in mind during the last week, before we hear the bad news. Thank you !

ThePerpetualOne

12y

Ryan is really fucking brave in my opinion for writing about something this personal to him. I cried so hard the first time I finished listening to this song, because it sounded like he was so ready to be a dad, so looking forward to all the things that so many new parents dread, and he just never got the chance. Broke my god damn heart.

RussMan251

11y↑1

This hit way close to home. We just lost our baby due to miscarriage 4 months ago. I will be listening to this song every May 6th for the rest of my life.

BackhandTrebond

12y

Artistic Licence, and it fit with the rhythm of the song better than "been on the road for 7 months". On an unrelated note: brilliant song.

Claymation99

12y

You buy the Yellowcard CDs because every one has that song. This one absolutely blew me away

prettzx

2y↑1

This song makes me cry every time. My son is now 5 and he's SUCH AN ASSHOLE hahaha, but only to me and his mum, so I hope he grows out of it, because he's SO sweet when he wants to be, but as much as I sometimes don't show it as much as I want to, and as much as I yell at him... and as much as I hate how much I HAVE to punish him, he does have all the love in my heart

Joseph Reyna

11y

I don't have kids and I'm several years away from having one. Yet even such, right at 0:48, my eyes start watering up and my nose becomes runny and I can't help fight back the tears from rolling down my face. I can see her face, I can see her smile, hear her laughing,see her looking out the window and watching the sun as I driver her home from school. How can I feel this? I don't know, but I hope I never have to feel this, I don't think I could handle losing a real child, I'm not strong enough.

elwoodrock182

12y

this band has never disappointed me

Jason Saylor

11y↑1

i just want to thank the guys from the band theve brought peace to my troubled soul keep up the great work guys and so sorry too for your loss reminds me of noah by michael w smith

wysoft

4y↑4

I have two young kids, but it took my wife three early miscarriages to get there. I'm ashamed to admit that because they would have been so small at the time, I never thought of it this way. I just remained faithful that we would succeed and carried on. When I first heard this song I burst into tears, I will never forget again what could have been.

blueheartmystery

11y

This song will always make me cry over the thought of the lost opportunity of all the children who weren't born

Grace

5y↑3

First time hearing this and I'm crying because I'm going thru something that makes me pretty sad, basically depressed, and I'm listening 2 this. I'm starting to feel a little better. I never even heard of Yellowcard before...well, maybe once, but now that I'm listening to this I feel better.

David J Music

12y

wow, this is the only song that he has sang in like 3 cds that ISNT corny. this song is about the death of an unborn child. its not corny, its actually heartfelt

Karla Mendieta

12y

About a minute & tears already running down my face. Ryan Key blew me away with these lyrics. This is a record!

Strange Reality

6y↑4

LOST MY CHILD AFTER 6 WEEKS AND 6 DAYS IN 2008 i love this song so much

Ronald Bryant

12y

I'm so sorry to hear about your loss. I've cried for you and want you to know there are good people in this world that support you. I can only send my love to you through here and please accept it.

AdamPlaysPiano

12y

I literally stopped what I was doing when I first heard this song. I'm a maintenance guy and was cleaning the floors and stopped just to listen to this. I've never been more moved by a song.

Gabrielle Rothermel

4y↑7

someone told me to listen to this song a couple days ago... now it's the only song ii am comfortable listening to for some reason. my uncle was 18 when he passed .. 9 days before I was born. my father lost his bestfriend, and everyone said I lost mine before I even met him. we look exactly alike and old videos of him compared to the things I do... are exactly the same. every year for my birthday I get a picture of him from that year. I wonder what will happen when I am 18. he may not be here but he will forever and always have all of the love in my heart...

Strange Reality

4y↑1

I'm so sorry

miller5787

12y

This song reminded me what exactly Yellowcard is capable of.. This song is perfect.

Jackeline2

4y↑6

Coming back to this song 8 years after listening to it because my little one would’ve been ten this month. The pain has gotten easier but still missing the best friend I never got to meet. Mommy misses you and loves you. Always and forever. ❤️

Cameron

But how does this mean anything to this song?

Attila Mészáros

@Cameron You really don't understand what the song is about? It's written about a miscarriage.

1 More Replies...

Logan Powell

12y

Wow, just found this song. What an impact. I am truely beside myself. I recently lost my daughter whom was just born 3 months ago due to a serious lung infection. Whether this song is about abortion, or miscarriage, it hit's me hard still because I wonder what my little angel could have been, and how proud i'd be of her. I can't believe a song of this beauty exist. Thank you Yellowcard for making the greatest music on earth. I miss you Ayden Rane, you'll always be my star and my sky. RIP 7-2-12

Chels

12y↑1

I was really looking for some depth in this album, and bam here it is, this is why I love this band.

Brock Schowalter

11y

This may be the most bittersweet song of all time. I almost cry everytime i listen to it but i cant stop myself from replaying it over and over

Eddy Rodriguez

10y

Cada melodia cada desempeño melodico se plasma en nuestros corazones'

Jessica Hardaker

12y

i listened to this about 20 times know, and i still cry when listening to it. Amazing song, and amazing lyrics.

Hyperbole

8y↑4

Yellowcard acoustic songs are the greatest thing

stumblewyk

3y↑2

My son should be 15 in 2 days. This song has become my love song to him.

Snickerus

12y

such an amazing yet very sad song :\ Yellowcard never ceases to amaze me

Matt Clipp

12y

this is one of the saddest songs i've ever heard. i can't listen to it without getting emotional. the lyrics are just so personal and powerful...but then again, so is every yellowcard song :)

cetras56

9y↑8

This song reminds me of the baby my mom lost when I was a Sophomore in high school. Dear God, this hurts. Great song.

Logan Powell

12y

Thank you, that means alot. Ive played this song all day today. It's nice to know that their are people out here that care enough to send what you did. Thank you so much.

James Upward

12y

This is why I love Yellowcard, every song has meaning, unlike SOME artists *Cough* J.B, Skrillex, One Direction, etc *Cough* What I'm trying to say is that Yellowcard's songs are so great because they play with our emotions, making us remember the song for the meaning it has and make us think about how the band feels about the events that caused them to write that song.

diego bacarin

10y↑5

hermosa cancion!

fiesty164

10y↑2

Even after hearing this at least 20 times it still brings me to tears...

Michael Clutch

11y↑3

gifts and curses by Yellowcard ! it's the most beautiful song I've never heard...

Cameron

Wrong song!

wow45usr

12y

man, what a heavy song.. very moving

Daniel Curtiss

9y↑2

The first time I heard this song I found it to be very beautiful and sad. But as of a few months ago I can feel the true pain of losing a little one that ill never get to hold in my own arms and love with all my heart.

Christian Lopez

12y

man so amazing but sad. man ryan key you never cease to amaze me.<3

Teric Scothern

11y

1:56 I always start tearing up on this part! But on a brighter not YC can make my day from shit to good. Thanks for always being there Yellowcard! <3

Jake Parker

8y↑10

my heart shatters every time i listen to this song

SallyJulia

This song makes me think of my baby sister, who I never got to meet. Thanks for such a beautiful song.

Elton Allen

10y

this song is so beautiful,nearly cried

Elizabeth Jane

11y

this song is just so painfuly beautiful.

FlamingCrescent

12y

One of the best songs, made me tear up but I wasn't quite sure of who he was singing about...

Kayleigh Smith

11y

this song is just beautiful :') xxx

Alex Cote

11y

the saddest, most beautiful song ive ever heard. great work!

Abigail Black

11y

my twins would have been turning 5 this year.... the other 3 children after that would have been 4 and 3 and 2 this year...... I miscarried all 5 children.... this song speaks volumes on how I feel and what goes through my mind whenever I think of them. Goodbye again Logan, Adrian, Temari, Niklas, and Chloe... My little, unborn angels.

Janelle Howse

11y

why am i just finding out that yellowcard has a new album right now. so happy.

claudia mariana gonzalez

9y↑1

It's amazing!!.. such a beatiful song :3

Daniel Moore

9y↑21

You can't listen to this and not cry

Enginegamer

12y

Touches my heart, warms it from the ice left from sadness.

Cinni808

12y

I am so sorry for your loss. You brought tears to my eyes and I know that your daughter is looking down on you now and loves you. I am so sorry<3

Andrew Trotta

11y

Did you ever think that maybe she LOST the baby. Mine would be 10 next year. Yellowcard hit me strait down to the core with this song.

Angela Lucille

5y↑1

I never really understood this song. Until now. And it breaks me to pieces.

Jenna Hunter

7y↑1

I just lost my son in April of this year at 23 weeks pregnant. This song is making me cry.

JuddthaStud

12y

True Story: I checked out the comments right here before I listened to it. I read what Karla Mendieta said about one minute and already tears going down the face. I laughed. (I was thinking damn, it must be really good or really sad. I'll probably get through it, no problem) Then I hit play. by 0:40 I was crying. And I'm a grown-ass man. I laughed again and said to myself, "Damn it, it's both!". So there I was, laughing and crying at the same time. LIFE IS GOOD

15 Below_Music

10y↑30

If you don't get any sort of feeling from this song, you don't have a soul

Appleby111

9y↑10

I didn't. Then again, I am ginger.

thatdudecalvin

11y

If i ever need a good cry this is where i go, good stuff man \m/

Monkey

10y

Listening to this makes me wonder what my brother would be like today. I never knew him but somehow I still miss him.

Katelyn Fox

11y

i cried when i heard this song and now it still makes me tear up

Leekens

11y

And when we're old men! Awesome song!

JuddthaStud

12y

ty. I had to say it. Had a special little moment there- that kind of stuff never happens for me. It just goes to show how good the song is. I've heard and seen some touching things, but seriously: A father is still in love with the son he never had after ten years. If that kind of thing doesn't move you, then you definetely don't have a soul.

K

12y

I wonder how they felt as they were writing and recording both tracks. :'(

Hannah Huang

10y↑1

nearly cried this song is beautiful

Joslynn Larsen

This song really hits you in the heart..... I mean his child died before she/he was even born....... Loosing a child is a terrible thing......

SwampDonkey

When i was younger i never related to this up till a year ago...and now the love who nearly made me a father is suicidal...it hurts alot everything that we had gone through and now having been separated for about 6 months, i dont know things are just different. This bands gotten me through rough spots and encouraged me to start one of my own to cope with shit.

Cloudsheep93

10y↑8

How does anyone not cry to this?

Isaiah Nevarez

This song always reminds me of my first love getting pregnant by me and she worked hard to keep our baby alive and we failed.weve never been the same again. She won't even look at me.