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Everything Had Changed
Barenaked Ladies Lyrics


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On the path of life, I wish you well
With urgent chariots, we will meet again in Hell
Kept my head down and moved
'Til every friend I'd known was gone

Then one day, I was not alone
Everything had changed
Everything was strange
Everything had changed
Everything was strange

When in rags and when in wealth
A solemn promise never to give too much of myself
Despite the hopeful words I've said
I've lived my life inside my head

Then one day, I was not alone
Everything had changed
Everything was strange
Everything had changed
Everything was strange

I hold my breath and count to ten
I hate it now, hated it then
Seen it all before
A failure and a bore
That's what friends are for

So it seems I must have won
As I survey the ashes of the damage that I've done
Everyone I've ever known
Is just as closed off and alone

Then one day, I was not alone
Everything had changed
Everything was strange
Everything had changed
Every thing

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Barenaked Ladies' song "Everything Had Changed" on the surface seem to describe a journey through life filled with loss, disappointment, and a sense of isolation. The opening line "On the path of life, I wish you well" show that the singer is moving forward, but they're also not entirely comfortable with their situation. The second line "With urgent chariots, we will meet again in Hell" seems to suggest that they feel compelled to keep going, no matter what the cost. This line creates tension in the narrative, making us wonder what kind of desperation would lead someone to approach life with such urgency.


The next line "Kept my head down and moved" shows a certain resignation and a feeling of being disconnected from others. This theme is reinforced when the singer says "Til every friend I'd known was gone." It's a lonely existence, but one that the singer seems to have grown accustomed to. Then, suddenly, everything changes. The lyrics shift in tone and the singer's voice becomes stronger. They say "One day I was not alone. Everything had changed. Everything was strange." At this point, there's a sense of relief and hope, but it's tempered by uncertainty. The singer is still grappling with the unknown, and the phrase "Everything was strange" shows that they're still trying to process what's happening to them.


The lyrics then take a turn, and there's a sense of resignation and regret. The line "I've lived my life inside my head" shows that the singer has been disconnected from the world around them and that they've been struggling with some kind of obstacle, possibly insecurity. The line "Seen it all before, a failure and a bore. That's what friends are for," is pessimistic and cynical, suggesting that the singer feels let down by those around them. The final lines "So it seems I must have won. Everyone I've ever known is just as closed off and alone" show that the singer has come to a realization about the world around them. They're not alone in their struggle, and that knowledge seems to bring some sense of comfort.


Line by Line Meaning

On the path of life, I wish you well
I hope you have a good life


With urgent chariots, we will meet again in Hell
We will inevitably face each other again in difficult times


Kept my head down and moved
I kept going forward and didn't look back


'Til every friend I'd known was gone
Until I had lost contact with all my friends


Then one day, I was not alone
I found someone who understood me


Everything had changed
My situation had completely shifted


Everything was strange
My world had become unfamiliar


When in rags and when in wealth
Regardless of my financial situation


A solemn promise never to give too much of myself
I am committed to maintaining my own boundaries


Despite the hopeful words I've said
Even though I've tried to be optimistic


I've lived my life inside my head
Most of my experiences have been internalized


I hold my breath and count to ten
I try to calm myself down


I hate it now, hated it then
I despise my situation both past and present


Seen it all before
I've experienced this before


A failure and a bore
I feel like a disappointment and dull


That's what friends are for
Friends are there to support you when you're down


So it seems I must have won
I must have come out ahead in some way


As I survey the ashes of the damage that I've done
Looking back on the negative consequences of my actions


Everyone I've ever known
All the people I've had contact with


Is just as closed off and alone
Are just as emotionally blocked and solitary as I am




Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ED ROBERTSON, JIM CREEGGAN, STEVEN PAGE

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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