How You Remember It
Blues Traveler Lyrics


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So I thought about my lifetime
How the days, they are confused
As the moments, they do roll by
Only some will follow you

They're the same every day
Think about what we do
If you take the time to look well
Any one of them could chase you

That's how you remember it
It'll find you soon
That's how you remember it
What will be the truth

From out behind the shadows
Every moment I have known
Like catching that first firefly
In a jar when I was back home

Summer rain on a windowpane
The way she looked that night
And every second after
Going to radiate the light

That's how you remember it
It'll find you soon
That's how you remember it
What will be the truth

Looking at my photograph
Staring back 20 years ago
The man I am, the boy I was
The things I still don't know

No matter how you remember it
It'll find you soon
No matter how you remember it
That will be the truth

No matter how you remember it
It'll find you soon




No matter how you remember it
That will be the truth

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to "How You Remember It" by Blues Traveler explore the passage of time and the way memories shape our perception of reality. The singer reflects on their lifetime, acknowledging how the days often blend together and how moments come and go, but only some leave a lasting impact. They suggest that if we take the time to truly examine our lives, we may find that any moment holds the power to change and shape us.


The song emphasizes the subjective nature of memory, highlighting that each person remembers events differently. The lyrics suggest that memories can be elusive, like shadows, but they have the ability to find us and influence our understanding of the truth. The singer speaks of capturing a firefly in a jar, symbolizing moments of joy and nostalgia. They mention summer rain on a windowpane, evoking a sense of melancholy and reflection. The song suggests that it is through our memories, both big and small, that we find meaning and radiate light in our lives.


Overall, "How You Remember It" encourages listeners to reflect on their own memories and how they shape their perception of truth. It reminds us that our memories, even if selective or distorted, hold power in defining who we are and how we understand the world around us.


Line by Line Meaning

So I thought about my lifetime
Reflecting on the entirety of my existence


How the days, they are confused
The passage of time can often blur and blend together


As the moments, they do roll by
As individual experiences swiftly pass


Only some will follow you
Certain memories will stay with you throughout your life


They're the same every day
Days may seem repetitive and unremarkable


Think about what we do
Contemplate our actions and choices


If you take the time to look well
By carefully observing


Any one of them could chase you
Any moment has the potential to deeply impact you


That's how you remember it
That is how the memory remains in your mind


It'll find you soon
The memory will resurface in your consciousness before long


What will be the truth
Which version of events will hold the most accuracy


From out behind the shadows
Emerging from hidden depths


Every moment I have known
Every significant experience I've had in my life


Like catching that first firefly
Similar to capturing the magic of a particular moment


In a jar when I was back home
Preserving the essence of the past, reminiscent of childhood


Summer rain on a windowpane
The gentle shower effect on glass during summertime


The way she looked that night
The image of her appearance during that evening


And every second after
Continuously, with each passing moment


Going to radiate the light
Continuing to emit a positive influence


Looking at my photograph
Observing a picture of my past self


Staring back 20 years ago
Reflecting on a distant period two decades in the past


The man I am, the boy I was
Comparing my current self to the younger version


The things I still don't know
Realizing the vast amount of knowledge yet to be acquired


No matter how you remember it
Regardless of the specific recollection


That will be the truth
That version will hold its own authenticity




Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: BEN WILSON, BRENDAN HILL, CHAN KINCHLA, JOHN C. POPPER, TAD KINCHLA

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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