Make Believe
All Lyrics


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Pack up all your things; I'll help; you'll leave today
We said we'd do it, and today's the day
Don't care how we tried; it's gone a thousand times
We'll make it through this, there's no other way

If I'm the first and I'm the only, promise me I'll never be lonely
But only for as long as we believe
We placed all our faith in sex
And we broke it all, and now there's nothing left
Of my little world of make-believe

Messed up everything, all set to wash away
And, now, I'm through living as a criminal
No time for sentiment, just time to pay the rent
But maybe I'm not ready to grow up today

If I'm the first and I'm the only, promise me I'll never be lonely
But only for as long as we believe

We placed all our faith in sex
And we broke it all, and now there's nothing left
Of my little world of make-believe

I'm not ready to be thirty-two
And can't I just stay a while inside with you?
Far from the compromise and shifty eyes and dirt
I'm not ready to be thirty-two
But I can't stay forever young with you
Slam the door on my mixed-up ways
I can't live my life like I'm in sixth grade
In my little world of make-believe

Guess that's everything; I'll watch you drive away
Here's all your pictures, and here's most of mine
But I loved you more than this; I lived for your sweet kiss
You watched me grind away, and I watched you fade away

We placed all our faith in sex
And we broke it all, and now there's nothing left
Of my little world of make-believe
My little world of make-believe

Let me come back to my world of make-believe
(My little world of make-believe)
My little world of make-believe
(Never go back to my world of make-believe)
Let me come back to my world of make-believe
(My little world of make-believe)




My little world of make-believe
(Never go back)

Overall Meaning

In “Make Believe”, All shares a story about a relationship that has come to an end, although it's clear that the emotions involved still run high. The song begins with one of the duo helping their significant other pack their things, acknowledging the many previous attempts to save the relationship. The song then delves into the reasons why the relationship failed, citing misplaced trust and too much dependence on physical intimacy. The singer is left to contemplate the aftermath of the breakup and the realities of life to come, but still feels a longing to stay in a fantasy world with their loved one.


The lyrics of “Make Believe” are raw and emotive, evoking a sense of longing and heartbreak that is relatable to anyone who has ever experienced a difficult breakup. The use of the phrase “my little world of make-believe” paints a picture of a couple who were living in a fantasy land, where the harsh realities of life cannot penetrate. The song highlights the importance of communication and trust in a relationship, and how they can make or break it.


Line by Line Meaning

Pack up all your things; I'll help; you'll leave today
Let's get out of here - we've talked about it and today's the day. I'll help with your things.


Don't care how we tried; it's gone a thousand times
We've tried so many times before and failed, but we have to push through and believe we can make it.


We'll make it through this, there's no other way
We have to hold onto hope and make it through this tough time - there's no other option.


If I'm the first and I'm the only, promise me I'll never be lonely But only for as long as we believe
Promise me that I'll never be alone as long as we believe in each other - even if we're the only ones who believe.


We placed all our faith in sex And we broke it all, and now there's nothing left Of my little world of make-believe
We put all of our hope and trust in something that was never meant to last, and now that it's gone there's nothing left of the world we created.


No time for sentiment, just time to pay the rent But maybe I'm not ready to grow up today
I have to focus on practical concerns like paying the bills, but I'm not ready to let go of my youth and responsibility-free life just yet.


I'm not ready to be thirty-two And can't I just stay a while inside with you? Far from the compromise and shifty eyes and dirt
I don't want to face the harsh realities of growing up and facing the world. Can't we just stay in our own little world together, away from the negativity and hardships of adulthood?


Slam the door on my mixed-up ways I can't live my life like I'm in sixth grade In my little world of make-believe
I need to leave behind my childish ways and start taking responsibility for my life. I can't keep living in a fantasy world.


Guess that's everything; I'll watch you drive away Here's all your pictures, and here's most of mine But I loved you more than this; I lived for your sweet kiss You watched me grind away, and I watched you fade away
This is the end - I'll watch you leave, but please take these memories with you. Even though we both made mistakes, I loved you deeply and will always remember your sweet kiss. You watched me work hard, and I watched you slowly fade away from me.


Let me come back to my world of make-believe (My little world of make-believe) My little world of make-believe (Never go back to my world of make-believe) Let me come back to my world of make-believe (My little world of make-believe) My little world of make-believe (Never go back)
I want to go back to my carefree world of make-believe, even though I know it's not possible. I need to learn to face reality and move forward with my life.




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Jerome Kern, Oscar II Hammerstein

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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