Waving Through A Window
Ben Platt & Original Broadway Cast of Dear Evan Hansen Lyrics


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I've learned to slam on the brake
Before I even turn the key
Before I make the mistake
Before I lead with the worst of me

Give them no reason to stare
No slipping up if you slip away
So I got nothing to share
No, I got nothing to say

Step out, step out of the sun
If you keep getting burned
Step out, step out of the sun
Because you've learned, because you've learned

On the outside, always looking in
Will I ever be more than I've always been?
'Cause I'm tap, tap, tapping on the glass
I'm waving through a window
I try to speak, but nobody can hear
So I wait around for an answer to appear
While I'm watch, watch, watching people pass
I'm waving through a window, oh
Can anybody see, is anybody waving back at me?

We start with stars in our eyes
We start believing that we belong
But every sun doesn't rise
And no one tells you where you went wrong

Step out, step out of the sun
If you keep getting burned
Step out, step out of the sun
Because you've learned, because you've learned

On the outside, always looking in
Will I ever be more than I've always been?
'Cause I'm tap, tap, tapping on the glass
Waving through a window
I try to speak, but nobody can hear
So I wait around for an answer to appear
While I'm watch, watch, watching people pass
Waving through a window, oh
Can anybody see, is anybody waving?

When you're falling in a forest and there's nobody around
Do you ever really crash, or even make a sound?
When you're falling in a forest and there's nobody around
Do you ever really crash, or even make a sound?
When you're falling in a forest and there's nobody around
Do you ever really crash, or even make a sound?
When you're falling in a forest and there's nobody around
Do you ever really crash, or even make a sound?
Did I even make a sound?
Did I even make a sound?
It's like I never made a sound
Will I ever make a sound?

On the outside, always looking in
Will I ever be more than I've always been?
'Cause I'm tap, tap, tapping on the glass
Waving through a window
I try to speak, but nobody can hear
So I wait around for an answer to appear
While I'm watch, watch, watching people pass
Waving through a window, oh
Can anybody see, is anybody waving back at me? (oh)





Is anybody waving?
Waving, waving, whoa-oh, whoa-oh

Overall Meaning

The song “Waving Through A Window” by Ben Platt is a powerful exploration of feelings of isolation and disconnection. The song is a reflection on the internal struggle of feeling like an outsider, always looking in and struggling to connect with those around you. The lyrics convey a sense of frustration and helplessness that comes with feeling unheard and unseen.


The opening lyrics, “I’ve learned to slam on the brake before I even turn the key,” suggest the singer’s instinct to stop before making a mistake or revealing their true self. They are so afraid of being seen in a negative light that they hold back everything, including the best parts of themselves. The refrain of “On the outside, always looking in, will I ever be more than I’ve always been?” speaks to the deep yearning to belong and feel understood.


The songs’ larger message illustrates the vulnerability and isolation that so many people experience in a world where social media and other forms of communication connect us more than ever, but may not necessarily bridge the gap between human connection.


Line by Line Meaning

I've learned to slam on the brake Before I even turn the key Before I make the mistake Before I lead with the worst of me
I've learned to hold back and be cautious before showing my flaws and imperfections.


Give them no reason to stare No slipping up if you slip away So I got nothing to share No, I got nothing to say
Don't give others any opportunity to judge you, and if you do have to leave, do so without making a fuss or attracting attention.


Step out, step out of the sun If you keep getting burned Step out, step out of the sun Because you've learned, because you've learned
If something is consistently causing you harm, it's time to step away and learn from your mistakes.


On the outside, always looking in Will I ever be more than I've always been? 'Cause I'm tap, tap, tapping on the glass I'm waving through a window I try to speak, but nobody can hear So I wait around for an answer to appear While I'm watch, watch, watching people pass I'm waving through a window, oh Can anybody see, is anybody waving back at me?
I feel out of place and disconnected from those around me, and despite my efforts to reach out and connect, I feel invisible and unheard.


We start with stars in our eyes We start believing that we belong But every sun doesn't rise And no one tells you where you went wrong
We begin with high hopes and expectations, but life doesn't always work out the way we plan, and it's difficult to figure out where we made mistakes.


When you're falling in a forest and there's nobody around Do you ever really crash, or even make a sound?
When we feel unsupported and alone, it's hard to know if our struggles and failures even matter.


Did I even make a sound? It's like I never made a sound Will I ever make a sound?
I feel so invisible and unheard that I question if I've ever truly spoken up or been noticed, and if I ever will be.


Is anybody waving? Waving, waving, whoa-oh, whoa-oh
Am I the only one struggling and feeling disconnected, or is there anyone else out there waving back?




Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Benj Pasek, Justin Paul

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

@desireefernandes4205

I've learned to slam on the brake
Before I even turn the key
Before I make the mistake
Before I lead with the worst of me
Give them no reason to stare
No slipping up if you slip away
So I got nothing to share
No, I got nothing to say
Step out, step out of the sun
If you keep getting burned
Step out, step out of the sun
Because you've learned, because you've
learned
On the outside, always looking in
Will I ever be more than I've always been?
'Cause I'm tap, tap, tapping on the glass
I'm waving through a window
I try to speak, but nobody can hear
So I wait around for an answer to appear
While I'm watch, watch, watching people
pass
I'm waving through a window, oh
Can anybody see, is anybody waving back
at me?
We start with stars in our eyes
We start believing that we belong
But every sun doesn't rise
And no one tells you where you went
wrong
Step out, step out of the sun
If you keep getting burned
Step out, step out of the sun
Because you've learned, because you've
learned
On the outside, always looking in
Will I ever be more than I've always been?
'Cause I'm tap, tap, tapping on the glass
Waving through a window
I try to speak, but nobody can hear
So I wait around for an answer to appear
While I'm watch, watch, watching people
pass
Waving through a window, oh
Can anybody see, is anybody waving?
When you're falling in a forest and there's
nobody around
Do you ever really crash, or even make a
sound?
When you're falling in a forest and there's
nobody around
Do you ever really crash, or even make a
sound?
When you're falling in a forest and there's
nobody around
Do you ever really crash, or even make a
sound?
When you're falling in a forest and there's
nobody around
Do you ever really crash, or even make a
sound?
Did I even make a sound?
Did I even make a sound?
It's like I never made a sound
Will I ever make a sound?
On the outside, always looking in
Will I ever be more than I've always been?
'Cause I'm tap, tap, tapping on the glass
Waving through a window
I try to speak, but nobody can hear
So I wait around for an answer to appear
While I'm watch, watch, watching people
pass
Waving through a window, oh
Can anybody see, is anybody waving back
at me? (oh)
Is anybody waving?
Waving, waving, whoa-oh, whoa-oh



@sophiaredwood5825

Annalise Wedewer Woah, mind blown, I literally just realized that that is exactly how my friend group formed. And it makes perfect sense! Aaa!!

Also, don’t apologize for rambling. I’m a writer by nature, I read and write without stopping so I’ve surely burdened many who try to read my long comments 😂 but I will usually never be bothered by a long comment to read. ESPECIALLY if it’s sincere and interesting. So you’re perfectly fine 😊

As for speaking intellectually? Hmm, lately I resort to thought-provoking questions or hypothetical situations (some stupidly fun, others actually super interesting)... Like... “If all of a sudden you met your future child and they were your age because of some time-related thing, and they knew you were their (younger) parent, how do you think the conversation would go? Any interests you think you both would have? How would your friends react if the same thing happened to them?”

Also stuff like, “What is a donut without a hole?” or “Why is hot chocolate called what it is despite its actual temperature?” and stuff to that effect, haha.

I also tend to think a lot about people and interactions and identity and stuff but that could be a bit long 😂



@rainingwhenidie

"we start with stars in our eyes

we start believing that we belong

but every sun doesn't rise

and no one tells you where you went wrong"

Hits SOOO hard. They're my favorite lines in the song



All comments from YouTube:

@prvatenbody8805

Don’t tap on the window.



It ANGERS the g l a s s .

@devin1395

this is so cursed but I love it

@carmellaruss3414

- fish in tank

@joselitotejada9631

I tried tapping on the glass, the next day, the glass tapped on me.

@bababooey3534

Angry g l a s s

@meepbeep2029

Why is this funny-

69 More Replies...

@cffee3288

“What does anxiety feel like?”

Me: aggressively points

@stitch_playz9710

Cøffee it feels like you're always being watched In normal anxiety. With social anxiety it feels they will think you're weird, or they will hate you if you talk to them. There are many forms.

@ValeskaTAdams

@Cøffee

XDXDXDXDXDXDXDXD I’ll just sing it! 😂👍

@margothbarrios3488

@@stitch_playz9710 yeah, mine is that I'm worried that I'll offend someone and then everyone will hate me

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