I Remember
A Day to Remember Lyrics


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I'd never wish any of this on anyone or anything
Aw come on, you gotta try and look at things like me
I never needed anything I got,
I never keep anything I have, what do I have?
Mostly things that'll never last

Then I think back
I remember when I first saw the country
I remember sleeping in the van
Said goodbye to friends and family cause they could never understand.
I remember jumping off of cliff tops
I remember playing with no one there
Yeah I knew if I became successful it wouldn't change who I am cause where I've been
'Cause where I've been

They wonder why I hide myself from everyone,
from everything, man come on
You wouldn't last a day as me
Everyone loves me for my past, but they always hate me in the present
Why can't you just meet me somewhere in the middle?

It's in the hardest times we grow the most

I remember when I first saw the country
I remember sleeping in the van
Said goodbye to friends and family cause they could never understand
I remember jumping off of cliff tops
I remember playing with no one there
Yeah I knew if I became successful it wouldn't change who I am cause where I've been
'Cause where I've been.

Speeding up, to slow down
Side glances around this crowd all at me
There must be something I can't see, so tell me
Hold me up, help me out
As I circle around what makes me happy
There isn't one place that I can be without leaving
This is my life

I remember when I first saw the country
I remember sleeping in the van
Said goodbye to friends and family, they could never understand
They don't understand
They don't understand

I remember jumping off of cliff tops
I remember playing with no one there
Yeah I knew if I became successful it wouldn't change who I am
I remember the coast of California
I remember trucks stops cross the land
Never kept too many idols cause we were busy being them
I remember waking up in Georgia. I remember quitting my last job




Yeah I knew if I became successful it wouldn't change who I was, where I've been
Cause where I've been.

Overall Meaning

The song "I Remember" by A Day to Remember is about looking back on the journey of the band members' lives and reflecting on the sacrifices they made to get to where they are now. The lead singer of the band, Jeremy McKinnon, talks about how he has never wished the challenges that he faced on anyone or anything, but these challenges shaped him to become who he is today. He also mentions that he never needed anything he got or keeps anything he has, which highlights his appreciation for the journey towards success rather than the rewards of success itself. He then remembers sleeping in the van and saying goodbye to friends and family who couldn't understand his dream of pursuing music. He also reflects on the moments he felt alive, such as jumping off of cliff tops and playing with no one around. In the chorus, he emphasizes that success won't change who he is because he is proud of where he started and the experiences he had to get there.


Later in the song, he talks about how people perceive him because of his successful past, but dislike him in the present. He challenges them to meet him in the middle and acknowledges that the hard times in his life helped him grow the most. The bridge of the song adds a sense of urgency, as Jeremy sings about circling around trying to find happiness and the uncertainty of where he can be without leaving. The song ends on a nostalgic note, as Jeremy remembers waking up in Georgia, quitting his last job, and becoming idols rather than keeping them.


"I Remember" is a powerful song that highlights the sacrifices and determination that go into achieving success. The lyrics offer a glimpse into the band members' personal experiences and the challenges they faced on their path to success. It also shows the importance of staying true to oneself, regardless of the obstacles and successes that come along the way.


Line by Line Meaning

I'd never wish any of this on anyone or anything
I don't want anyone or anything to suffer through what I have gone through.


Aw come on, you gotta try and look at things like me
Just try to see my point of view or perspective on things.


I never needed anything I got,
I did not have a desperate need for anything I have received.


I never keep anything I have, what do I have?
I don't hold onto any of the things that I possess, which makes me feel like I have nothing.


Mostly things that'll never last
The things that I usually end up with are either temporary or not important enough to keep for long.


Then I think back
I start to recall and reminisce about the past.


I remember when I first saw the country
I recollect the time I first saw the vast expanse of the country.


I remember sleeping in the van
I haven't forgotten the nights spent sleeping in a van, while traveling across the country.


Said goodbye to friends and family cause they could never understand.
I had to bid farewell to my loved ones because they could never fathom what I was going through.


I remember jumping off of cliff tops
I reminisce leaping off the top of cliffs, perhaps as a form of adrenal rush.


I remember playing with no one there
I remember playing by myself, without any companionship.


Yeah I knew if I became successful it wouldn't change who I am cause where I've been
I always knew that success wouldn't alter my personality or define who I truly am, because of the struggles I have faced.


They wonder why I hide myself from everyone, from everything, man come on
People often wonder why I keep to myself, but can't they understand that it's what feels good for me.


You wouldn't last a day as me
If someone else walked in my shoes, they wouldn't be able to survive even a single day.


Everyone loves me for my past, but they always hate me in the present
People adore the things I did in the past, but fail to appreciate the person I am in the present.


Why can't you just meet me somewhere in the middle?
Why can't we try to empathize with each other and come to a mutual understanding?


It's in the hardest times we grow the most
The toughest experiences teach us the most and help us develop the most as individuals.


Speeding up, to slow down
I am trying to rush things to slow down the monotony of my current state of living.


Side glances around this crowd all at me
I feel as though everyone in this crowd is looking at me from the corners of their eyes.


There must be something I can't see, so tell me
There seems to be something that everyone else can see, but I am unable to. I ask for it to be pointed out to me.


Hold me up, help me out
I request for someone to lend me a hand, or offer assistance to get through this difficult time.


As I circle around what makes me happy
I am trying to figure out what makes me truly happy, and trying to circle around it to find it.


There isn't one place that I can be without leaving
Wherever I go, I feel the need to leave, as if there is nowhere that truly feels like home.


This is my life
I must come to terms with the fact that this is the life I was given and must live, regardless of how difficult it may be.


I remember the coast of California
I reminisce visiting the coast of California.


Never kept too many idols cause we were busy being them
We didn't have any role models, because we were so focused on being our true selves.


I remember waking up in Georgia
I remember waking up in the state of Georgia.


I remember quitting my last job
I recall the time when I resigned from my last job.


Yeah I knew if I became successful it wouldn't change who I was, where I've been
Even if I become successful, I know that it won't change who I am, or the experiences I have gone through.


They don't understand
Others can't seem to grasp the struggles that I have faced, and why I am the way I am.




Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Andrew Wade, Jeremy Wade McKinnon, Thomas H. Denney

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

DTRofficial

As a musician, the line "i remember quitting my last job" is really inspiring. 

Mystic Sopath

More than anything

CGagnon5

"Never kept too many idols cause we were busy being them."

chills every time.  so much goddamn respect for these guys

Taryn Trent

This is so true. I get goosebumps to this song. And especially that part.

Thisguyphuxx

"Never kept too many idols, cause we were busy being them."

Imagine writing those lyrics just thinking and knowing the impact you have on peoples lives and the way its delivered is so beautiful and sends chills every time I listen to it.

steven12345gerrard

"It's in the hardest times you grow the most" such a simple fucking line but it's hits so hard. It's such a shame their music isn't as popular as it should be.

Skylar Lagrone

i fell in love with that line as well like wow i want it inked on me

steven12345gerrard

yeah i was thinking of going for it as well hahaha. either that or "all hail the theif, forever trying to separate you and me" the document speaks for itself

rrooster1

I just finished getting my masters in education, and I actually titled one of the high school lessons I taught after that line (there were a few kids in the class who were fans of ADTR)

steven12345gerrard

that's pretty amazing man. adtr for life 

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