It’s no secret that the landscape of Birds of Tokyo’s home of Western Australia; a desert-like state so vast and unforgiving that to provide it with a soundtrack requires a higher level of grandeur and majesty one would ever dare associate with the ‘pop’ music tag.
But, down to its bones, pop music is what Birds of Tokyo write… they just layer those bones in muscle, and give the beast a heart.
Beautifully expressive in its texture, yet thick and rich in its deceptive simplicity; Birds Of Tokyo’s music is universal and incredibly humanistic. In what could be described as the blink of an eye, the band have struck a nerve in their homeland, giving way to an unprecedented rise to popularity, but it is in their blossoming international recognition can be seen the band’s true strength and ability to connect with people.
Wayside
Birds of Tokyo Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Did I forget to lay it down too
Stroke out in a motel
I got my fingernails scratching at the dry wall
I got so much headache
I can't get you out of my mind
when I had to call on you
For just a little
when I cry I don't mind if you leave me alone
You caught me by the wayside
You caught me by the wayside
You caught me by the wayside
You caught me by the wayside
And how long have you known
that I forgot to lay you down too
Too much sun milk and honey
is that all that i really got?
I had so much money but not enough sense to make change
In the hardest times
when I had to call on you
For just a little
when I cry I don't mind if you leave me when you leave me
You caught me by the wayside
You caught me by the wayside
You caught me by the wayside
You caught me by the wayside
Yeah
How about this
Entertaining myself
on such a selfish wish
I can't break this way though
I can't be this way though
And I feel like the same
Are you feeling the same?
Hey now
I'm a poor man
I got my fingernails scratching at the dry wall
I got so much headache
I can't get you out of my mind
In the hardest times
when I had to call on you
For just a little
When I cry I don't mind if you leave me
when you leave me
You caught me by the wayside
You caught me by the wayside
You caught me by the wayside
You caught me by the wayside
You caught me by the wayside
You caught me by the wayside
You caught me by the wayside
You caught me by the way
The lyrics to Birds of Tokyo's song Wayside seem to depict a feeling of being lost and forgotten. The first verse speaks of forgetting something important and not being able to let go. The second verse speaks of having all the material things one could want, but still feeling unfulfilled. The chorus, "You caught me by the wayside" is repeated throughout the song, which could be interpreted as feeling like life has passed the singer by and they were not noticed until it was too late. The bridge suggests that the singer is feeling trapped and unable to change their ways, despite wanting to. Overall, the lyrics paint a picture of someone who is struggling with feeling purposeless and forgotten, but still holds onto hope that things will get better.
Line by Line Meaning
And how long has it been
Reflecting on the passage of time
Did I forget to lay it down too
Wondering if he failed to properly express his emotions or love
Stroke out in a motel
Experiencing a breakdown or panic attack in a hotel
I got my fingernails scratching at the dry wall
Feeling overwhelmed and helpless
I got so much headache
Suffering emotional pain and distress
I can't get you out of my mind
Struggling to stop thinking about someone
In the hardest times
During difficult moments
when I had to call on you
When he needed help or support
For just a little
Even if it's just a little bit of comfort
when I cry I don't mind if you leave me alone
He doesn't mind being left alone even when he's upset
You caught me by the wayside
He was caught off guard or surprised by someone
And how long have you known
Questioning how much someone else knows
that I forgot to lay you down too
Feeling like he didn't express his love properly to someone else
Too much sun milk and honey
Enjoying luxuries but feeling like they might not be enough to make him happy
is that all that i really got?
Questioning the value of material possessions
I had so much money but not enough sense to make change
Despite having money, he lacked wisdom to use it effectively
Hey now
Addressing someone or catching their attention
Entertaining myself
Finding ways to distract himself from his thoughts or situation
on such a selfish wish
Feeling guilty about wanting something only for himself
I can't break this way though
Struggling to change or overcome his current state
And I feel like the same
Feeling stuck or stagnant
Are you feeling the same?
Wondering if someone else shares his emotions
I'm a poor man
Feeling lacking or inadequate
When I cry I don't mind if you leave me
Not needing someone else's comfort when he's upset
You caught me by the wayside
Feeling caught off guard or surprised by someone
Contributed by Micah R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@jamespaul69
I had too much money but not enough sense to make change. Brilliant lyrics!!
@humanfromearth9671
one of the greatest songs ever written
@deklanwhelan9328
A friend told me about this song and it's now in my top 5
@britneywilliams6023
Still listening to it in 2020. First heard this song when I was 5 in the back of my mum's car use to sing it together still love it.
@ahhh8092
Britney Williams dude same!!!
@TheDannyman81
Seriously a great song to listen to when you have broken up with someone.....!
Just to let the tears run out!
I just picture that it is their presence on your heart leaving your body with each and every single tear.
Love this band.... love this song!
@Boomatic
I saw this guy sing live at Safety bay high school in western australia in like 98 or 99 as part of the w.a.m.i (western australia music industry) tour.
Such good music and still going...
@questpants
Birds of tokyo really just speaks to me I love their music and can really listen to it all day they are great and need to keep it up
@ScanRushOptic
Please dont stop perth, please please you create such great music in western australia, please please please dont stop
@tristoncunningham1105
dude.