You've Already Been
Bayside Lyrics
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It's going down fast,
And you had time to think
About your life and times,
And where you'll end up.
They say there's a place,
You worry what it might be like,
And scream, 'cause you're scared.
What if I swore to god,
Would you believe me then?
Isn't there something to be said
About brand name recognition?
Let's say the plane didn't crash,
And you should survive,
Would you go back to your selfish ways
And deny this was divine?
They say there's a place,
You worry what it might be like
And scream, 'cause you're scared.
What if I swore to god,
Would you believe me then?
Isn't there something to be said
About brand name recognition?
What can I say?
We ate the apple anyway,
And you wonder when you'll get there
When you've already been.
Let's say this happens again,
This time, you are old and in bed, Believe whatever's right for you,
Don't doubt your worth,
Stay in command.
What if I swore to god,
Would you believe me then?
Isn't there something to be said
About brand name recognition?
What can I say?
We ate the apple anyway,
And you wonder when you'll get there
When you've already been,
When you've already been.
In Bayside's "You've Already Been," the singer explores the idea of reflection and introspection, in a scenario where the singer is faced with their own mortality. The song encourages the listener to question their own beliefs and whether or not they are truly living their life to the fullest. The lyrics depict a sense of fear and uncertainty about what lies ahead, and how that might affect their current state of being.
The line "What if I swore to god, would you believe me then?" suggests that faith plays a role in the singer's worldview, as they wonder if an oath to a higher power would validate their beliefs. Additionally, the phrase "brand name recognition" calls attention to the idea of societal and cultural pressure to conform to certain beliefs or lifestyles.
The chorus, "What can I say? We ate the apple anyway, and you wonder when you'll get there when you've already been," refers to the biblical story of Adam and Eve eating the forbidden fruit, which led to their expulsion from the Garden of Eden. The line implies that we often seek out new experiences and knowledge, but fail to appreciate what we already have.
Overall, the song invites listeners to consider their own mortality and to think about what truly matters in life. It urges them to live in the moment and to appreciate what they have instead of constantly striving for something more.
Line by Line Meaning
Let's say that you're on a plane,
Imagine being in a dire situation like being in a plane that's crashing down.
It's going down fast,
The plane is plummeting towards the ground at an alarming rate.
And you had time to think
In the midst of the chaos, you find time to reflect and ponder.
About your life and times,
You think about your past and present experiences in life.
And where you'll end up.
You contemplate the unknown, the future and where you'll ultimately be.
They say there's a place,
Some people believe in the afterlife, a place beyond death.
You worry what it might be like,
You're anxious and apprehensive regarding the unknown.
And scream, 'cause you're scared.
Full of fear, you scream at the top of your lungs.
What if I swore to god,
If I make a solemn vow to a higher power,
Would you believe me then?
Would you trust me more if I did so?
Isn't there something to be said
Is there not some merit or value
About brand name recognition?
In being loyal to something only because of its reputation or popularity?
Let's say the plane didn't crash,
Let's assume that the worst didn't happen, and you survived.
And you should survive,
If you do come out alive,
Would you go back to your selfish ways
Would you return to your self-centered or egotistical behavior
And deny this was divine?
Disavowing or disregarding the possibility of divine intervention?
They say there's a place,
Once again, there are those who believe in an afterlife.
You worry what it might be like
You continue to be anxious about what awaits you after death.
And scream, 'cause you're scared.
Once again, you scream in terror.
What can I say?
What words can I use to describe or explain
We ate the apple anyway,
The phrase 'ate the apple' refers to human nature, impulsive and prone to temptation.
And you wonder when you'll get there
And despite all of the speculation and anxiety,
When you've already been.
You realize that you've already experienced or encountered it before.
Let's say this happens again,
Suppose that you find yourself in a similar situation once again.
This time, you are old and in bed,
However, this time you're elderly and on your death bed.
Believe whatever's right for you,
Have faith in whatever resonates with you and seems true.
Don't doubt your worth,
Do not question your value or significance.
Stay in command.
Stay in control of your thoughts and emotions.
What if I swore to god,
If I were to give my word to a divine power,
Would you believe me then?
Would you be more inclined to believe what I say?
Isn't there something to be said
Is there not some inherent value
About brand name recognition?
In being loyal to something or someone due to their reputation or popularity?
What can I say?
Once more, what can I say that hasn't already been said?
We ate the apple anyway,
Again, we refer to human nature's impulse towards temptation.
And you wonder when you'll get there
Despite all the anxiety and dread,
When you've already been,
You realize that you've already experienced it.
When you've already been.
Once again, you reiterate that you've already been there.
Contributed by Cole K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.