"Petrichor” is a song lamenting the passing of time, growing up, and having… Read Full Bio ↴"Petrichor” is a song lamenting the passing of time, growing up, and having to leave things behind. The narrator comes to the realization that all things do, in fact, end at some point, and tries to make an effort to savor all the good times in life before it’s too late.

The term “petrichor” denotes the familiar smell exuded by dry soil after a rainfall. This happens through the reaction between a certain plant-based oil and a compound produced by bacteria, the product of which we humans often find quite pleasant. The narrator relives memories from his youth when experiencing this smell, implying that when he was young, petrichor was a common occurrence and something he eventually ended up associating with his childhood.

Petrichor
Bearings Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Sometimes I find myself in a crowded room
With good friends and a feeling this will end too soon
Some things just end too soon

I watch you fall asleep and never wake up
Don′t take these memories or the people I love
Cause my god, we might not have much longer
We might not have much longer

No I'm not angry, no I′m not upset
All I'm saying is you tend to forget
How good you've got it, damn you′ve got it good
And you should, cause no one deserves this

Right now, though things could be better it
Is a reminder that nothing here is permanent
We′re dead or dying and I guess we'll never figure it out
Dead or dying, at least I′m trying
So hard not to dwell on the past
Breathe in every goodbye and try to make the memory last
Petrichor reminds me of when I was younger

There are two dates under your name
And life's the dash that′s in between
And all the flowers that surround you
Will never bring back anything
But now and then, well I still miss you on the drive home
And still get anxious when I'm all alone
Faced with a feeling that I′ll never know, where you go

Right now, though things could be better it
Is a reminder that nothing here is permanent
We're dead or dying and I guess we'll never figure it out
Dead or dying, at least I′m trying
So hard not to dwell on the past
Breathe in every goodbye and try to make the memory last
Petrichor reminds me of when I was younger

Right now, though things could be better it
Is a reminder that nothing here is permanent
We′re dead or dying and I guess we'll never figure it out
Dead or dying, at least I′m trying
So hard not to dwell on the past

Breathe in every goodbye and try to make the memory last
Petrichor reminds me of when I was younger

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Bearings' song "Petrichor" poignantly express the transience of life and the importance of cherishing memories. The first verse sets the scene of a social gathering, where the singer is surrounded by friends but plagued by the awareness that such moments are fleeting. The second verse, with its melancholic imagery of a loved one falling asleep and never waking, underscores the fragility of existence and the preciousness of the people and memories that make it meaningful. The chorus, with its repeated reminder that "nothing here is permanent," reinforces the theme of impermanence, while the bridge reflects on the inevitability of mortality and the struggle to find meaning in the face of it.

Overall, "Petrichor" is a profound reflection on the ephemeral nature of life and the bittersweet beauty of the memories that help us make sense of it. The song evokes a sense of nostalgia for a simpler, more innocent time, while acknowledging the complexity and pain of facing the reality of mortality. Through its poignant lyrics and emotive melody, "Petrichor" invites listeners to join in the singer's journey of grappling with life's impermanence and the importance of cherishing every moment.

Line by Line Meaning

Sometimes I find myself in a crowded room
I often find myself in social situations where I am surrounded by people

With good friends and a feeling this will end too soon
Although I am with good friends, I have a sense that this enjoyable moment will soon come to an end

Some things just end too soon
This moment, like many others in life, will come to an end sooner than I'd like

I watch you fall asleep and never wake up
I am afraid of losing someone I care about, whether through death or other circumstances

Don′t take these memories or the people I love
I am afraid of losing the important people and moments in my life

Cause my god, we might not have much longer
I am reminded that life is short and uncertain

No I'm not angry, no I′m not upset
I am not expressing anger or frustration, just a sense of reflection and vulnerability

All I'm saying is you tend to forget
I think it's easy to forget the good things in our lives and take them for granted

How good you've got it, damn you′ve got it good
We often fail to appreciate the many blessings and privileges we enjoy in our lives

And you should, cause no one deserves this
Despite the fact that we often take our good fortune for granted, we are fortunate to have it and should appreciate it

Right now, though things could be better it
In this moment, I am aware that things are not perfect and there is always room for improvement

Is a reminder that nothing here is permanent
I am reminded that all experiences and relationships are fleeting and temporary

We′re dead or dying and I guess we'll never figure it out
I am aware of my own mortality and the mysteries of life and death that we may never fully understand

Dead or dying, at least I′m trying
Despite the inevitable and unknown aspects of life, I am trying my best to live in the moment and make the most of my time

So hard not to dwell on the past
I struggle with the tendency to dwell on past memories and experiences

Breathe in every goodbye and try to make the memory last
I am trying to appreciate the goodbyes in my life and make lasting memories

Petrichor reminds me of when I was younger
The smell of rain (petrichor) triggers memories from my childhood and adds to my sense of nostalgia

There are two dates under your name
On a gravestone, there are two dates representing birth and death

And life's the dash that′s in between
The dash between the birth and death dates represents the entirety of a person's life

And all the flowers that surround you
At a funeral, flowers are often placed around the deceased as a symbol of love and remembrance

Will never bring back anything
Despite the beauty and sentiment of flowers, they cannot bring back the person or change the reality of death

But now and then, well I still miss you on the drive home
Even after time has passed, memories of the deceased can still trigger emotions and feelings of loss

And still get anxious when I'm all alone
Being alone can sometimes exacerbate feelings of sadness or anxiety about the past

Faced with a feeling that I′ll never know, where you go
Questions about death and the unknown can be overwhelming and lead to a sense of uncertainty or anxiety

Writer(s): Doug Cousins, Ryan Culligan, Collin Hanes, Connor Kington, Tyler Nickel

Contributed by Gianna F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

TRACKS