History of My Life
Blake Mills Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Hot pink catamarans, the food begging call of the pelicans
Swimming garbage and sifting over disappointing gifts Friends

Oh, good, Couldn't i just change
The history of my life sometimes?
The history of my life sometimes?

I'm growing' my hair out
On my head, and on my face right now
Gonna try, really hard
To keep from speaking very loud

Oh good, Couldn't i just change
The history of my life sometimes?
The history of my life sometimes?

Some feel the rains never fell
The sky owes the ground a wishing well
I'm living in a dry spell, throwing ashes into flames

Oh good, Couldn't i just change
The history of my life sometimes?
The history of my life sometimes?

I've been smiling so hard that i couldn't hardly see
My parents weren't in love, they were still taking care of me
I've taken much more some people ever see in their lifetime
And maybe i know something that's turning the sea around
In the sun that's sproutin' seeds from undergroung and someone is coming
To rely on me somehow

Oh, good, couldn't I just change
The history of my life, somehow?




The history of my life, somehow?
The history of my life, somehow?

Overall Meaning

Blake Mills's "History of My Life" is a poignant and introspective song about the desire for change and the acceptance of life's disappointments. The opening lines paint a vivid picture of a coastal scene - hot pink catamarans and the call of pelicans begging for food. The description of "swimming garbage" hints at the theme of disappointment and disillusionment that runs throughout the song. The next lines introduce the idea of friendship, but the use of the phrase "disappointing gifts" suggests that these relationships are not all they were expected to be.


The chorus of the song is where the true meaning and emotion of the lyrics shine through. Mills sings of his desire to change the history of his life, recognizing that the disappointments and struggles he has faced have shaped him into the person he is today. He acknowledges that some things are out of his control, such as the weather ("Some feel the rains never fell") and the actions of others ("The sky owes the ground a wishing well"). However, he also expresses his determination to keep trying, even in the face of adversity ("I'm living in a dry spell, throwing ashes into flames").


The final section of the song is perhaps the most personal, as Mills speaks directly about his own life. He talks about smiling so hard that he couldn't see, perhaps suggesting that he has been trying to hide his true feelings or put on a brave face. He also reveals that his parents were not in love, but they were still dedicated to caring for him. These lines are raw and honest, showing that even though Mills may want to change the history of his life, he recognizes that every experience has led him to this moment.


Overall, "History of My Life" is a powerful and reflective song about the human desire for change and the acceptance of life's disappointments. Through vivid imagery and honest lyrics, Mills captures the complexities of the human experience and the emotions that come with it.


Line by Line Meaning

Hot pink catamarans, the food begging call of the pelicans
Describes the surreal, contrasting elements of coastal life - from playful catamarans to the stark behavior of pelicans begging for food.


Swimming garbage and sifting over disappointing gifts Friends
Depicts the unpleasant realities of life, with garbage adrift in the water and disappointments that can come from even close relationships.


Oh good, Couldn't i just change The history of my life sometimes? The history of my life sometimes?
Reflects the desire to rewrite life's past events and decisions, and the realization that this is not easy or always possible.


I'm growing' my hair out On my head, and on my face right now Gonna try, really hard To keep from speaking very loud
Conveys the simple act of growing hair and attempting to be more reserved in behavior, perhaps as a means of achieving inner peace or self-improvement.


Some feel the rains never fell The sky owes the ground a wishing well I'm living in a dry spell, throwing ashes into flames
Compares the idea of longing for rain as a metaphor for wishing for good luck, while the artist feels they are in a 'dry spell' and burning the past (throwing ashes into flames) without hope of success.


I've been smiling so hard that i couldn't hardly see My parents weren't in love, they were still taking care of me I've taken much more some people ever see in their lifetime And maybe i know something that's turning the sea around In the sun that's sproutin' seeds from underground and someone is coming To rely on me somehow
Shares the perspective of a life where the singer has faced challenges and yet is hopeful for something in the future (someone coming to rely on them), perhaps from a realization about the natural world and life cycles.


Oh, good, couldn't I just change The history of my life, somehow? The history of my life, somehow? The history of my life, somehow?
Repeats the chorus, emphasizing the desire to change the past and finding a way to do so.




Contributed by Jacob K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found

More Versions