Empty Streets
Alumni Lyrics


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The city feels clean this time of night just empty streets
And me walking home to clear my head
I know it came as no surprise

I'm affected more than I had guessed on what was said
If the smile's not meant to be, if the heart's not ready to open
If we make it I won't see it's broken
If the smile's not meant to be, if the heart's not ready to open
If we make it I won't see how it's broken

It's the quiet time before the dawn and I'm half past making sense of it, was I wrong?
Should I claim to give it all ? in a world where not much ever seems to last long
If the smile's not meant to be, if the heart's not ready to open
If we make it I won't see it's broken if the smile's not meant to be
If the heart's not ready to open if we make it I won't
See how it's broken

How it's broken
How it's broken
How it's broken

If the smile's not meant to be
If the heart's not ready to open
If we make it I won't see it's broken
If the smile's not meant to be, if the heart's not ready to open
If we make it I won't see how it's broken





How it's broken
How it's broken

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Alumni's song “Empty Streets” paint a picture of a quiet and empty city at night, with the singer walking alone to clear their head. This solitude is contrasted with feelings of emotional burden following a conversation that has affected them more than they anticipated. The singer questions whether they were wrong and wonders if they should have given everything they had, even though things in this world don't seem to last long. The repeated lines about a smile not being meant to be and the heart not being ready to open convey a sense of resignation and a fear of being hurt in a relationship. The singer doesn't want to acknowledge if something is broken because not seeing it means their relationship can continue, even if it's not perfect.


Overall, the lyrics express a sense of vulnerability and reluctance to fully engage in a relationship. The empty streets and quiet time before dawn create a sense of isolation and contemplation that further emphasizes this theme. The repeated lines about the smile and heart not being ready to open suggest that the singer is hesitant to fully show their emotions and be vulnerable with another person.


Line by Line Meaning

The city feels clean this time of night just empty streets
The city is calm and empty at night, which makes me feel at peace while walking home.


And me walking home to clear my head
I walk home to reflect and sort out my thoughts.


I know it came as no surprise
I wasn't shocked by what was said, but I am affected more than I thought I would be.


If the smile's not meant to be, if the heart's not ready to open
If someone isn't truly happy or emotionally available, it's not worth pursuing a relationship with them.


If we make it I won't see it's broken
Even if we manage to stay together, I will ignore the signs that show our relationship is not thriving.


It's the quiet time before the dawn and I'm half past making sense of it, was I wrong?
It's early morning, and I'm struggling to comprehend the situation. I'm questioning if I did something wrong.


Should I claim to give it all ? in a world where not much ever seems to last long
In a world where things are impermanent, is it worthwhile to invest all of myself into a relationship?


I won't see how it's broken
I refuse to acknowledge the flaws or problems in our relationship.


How it's broken
The song repeats this line to emphasize the theme of being in denial about the state of the relationship.




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ANGELO BADALAMENTI

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@NndoAguilar994

The city feels clean this time of night
Just empty streets and me walking home
To clear my head, I know it came as no surprise
I'm affected more than I had guessed on what was said

If this love's not meant to be
If the heart's not ready to open
If we make it I won't see it's broken

If this love's not meant to be
If the heart's not ready to open
If we make it I won't see how it's broken

It's the quiet time before the dawn
And I'm half past making sense of it
Was I wrong?

Should I think to give it all
In a world where not much
Ever seems to last long?

If the love's not meant to be
If the heart's not ready to open
If we make it I won't see it's broken

If this love's not meant to be
If the heart's not ready to open
If we make it I won't see how it's broken

How it's broken
If this love's not meant to be
If the heart's not ready to open
If we make it I won't see it's broken

If this love's not meant to be
If the heart's not ready to open
If we make it I won't see it's broken

If this love's not meant to be
If the heart's not ready to open
If we make it I won't see how it's broken

How it's broken
How it's broken
How it's broken



@uuuupk

The city feels clean this time of night just empty streets
And me walking home to clear my head
I know it came as no surprise

I'm affected more than I had guessed on what was said
If the smile's not meant to be, if the heart's not ready to open
If we make it I won't see it's broken
If the smile's not meant to be, if the heart's not ready to open
If we make it I won't see how it's broken

It's the quiet time before the dawn and I'm half past making sense of it, was I wrong?
Should I claim to give it all ? in a world where not much ever seems to last long
If the smile's not meant to be, if the heart's not ready to open
If we make it I won't see it's broken if the smile's not meant to be
If the heart's not ready to open if we make it I won't
See how it's broken

How it's broken
How it's broken
How it's broken

If the smile's not meant to be
If the heart's not ready to open
If we make it I won't see it's broken
If the smile's not meant to be, if the heart's not ready to open
If we make it I won't see how it's broken

How it's broken
How it's broken



All comments from YouTube:

@michaelsf89

i remember listening to this song 10 years ago over and over again, so many memories of my 20s

@binanceworldtrade7800

🙏

@daveanajao

Me too

@olgaushakova8033

me 15 years ago))

@ShadowWarrior88

Me too😄

@andrearojas6774

@@binanceworldtrade7800 óóoOa0op⁰

9 More Replies...

@0nanana0

Memory: 2005 - Driving through Los Angeles late at night during a blackout, windows down and this song blasting, on our way to a club that was still going even though electricity was out. ❤

@joecool8066

I used to go to downtown L.A. with my bro in the early 2000s to do photography of the city and buildings. Sometimes, we photographed at night. i also used to film video with a cam corder. His Camaro had a retractable roof window (i speak spanish so i don't remember what that's called). I would play music as i filmed. I would play 4Hero (2 Pages album [drum & bass tracks]) and some hard bop and post bop jazz tunes. I remember playing Pretty Eyes by Horace Silver as we rode through the heart of downtown L.A. at night while filming. It was beautiful. Lost the camcorder cassettes. But the memory will always live. It was a beautiful time.

@BobbyL808

I have been listening to this song every day of my life for nearly 10 years. I absolutely adore this song and still every time I play this to someone who hasn’t heard it they always ask what and who is this. I have proudly introduced this to so many people who also have it as one of their regular must listen. Thank you so much Late Night Alumni for giving us this masterpiece ❤❤❤❤❤

@tsurur

My forever favorite band! Your sound changed something in me forever since the first time i listened to this song over 15 years ago! My only dream is to ever see you live 🙏 I love you guys!

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