Big Old House
Bright Eyes Lyrics

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Big old house on the hill
I sat on the windowsill
Leaning out on the breeze
Do I dwell in memories
Or let them be?

I can still hear you sing
I see you in everything, in everything

It's cold today
Headed down the highway
Please don't say you're still the same
I'll love you if you've changed

Big old car rolling down
Through the dark and empty town
See the sky everywhere
Feel it in the open air
It's still so clear

It's cold today
Headed down the highway
Please don't say you're still the same

I'll love you if you've changed
I'll love you if you've changed

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Bright Eyes's "Big Old House" suggest a sense of nostalgia and longing for a simpler time. The titular house represents memory, and the singer is sitting on its windowsill, contemplating whether to dwell on these memories or let them go. The idea of memories is further explored in the line, "I see you in everything," suggesting that the memories are intertwined with the person or people associated with them.

The chorus is a plea for change, or lack thereof: "Please don't say you're still the same/ I'll love you if you've changed." This suggests a desire for growth and evolution in oneself and in others, while also indicating that the singer is willing to accept someone as they are, even if they have changed.

The imagery in the song is striking, with vivid descriptions of a big old house on the hill, a dark and empty town, and a clear sky. Overall, the song's lyrics convey a sense of wistfulness for the past and a yearning for something more in the present.

Line by Line Meaning

Big old house on the hill
The singer is describing a large, old mansion situated atop a hill.

I sat on the windowsill
The singer is sitting on the windowsill of the mansion.

Leaning out on the breeze
The singer is leaning out the window and feeling the wind blow against their face.

Do I dwell in memories
The artist is questioning whether they are living in the past.

Or let them be?
The artist is considering whether they should keep holding onto their memories or let them go.

I can still hear you sing
The singer is able to recall the sound of someone singing.

I see you in everything, in everything
The singer is reminded of a specific person in everything they see.

It's cold today
The weather is cold.

Headed down the highway
The artist is driving down the highway in a vehicle.

Please don't say you're still the same
The artist is hoping that the person they are thinking of has changed for the better.

I'll love you if you've changed
The singer is saying that they will love the person even if they have changed.

Big old car rolling down
The artist is describing a large, old car moving along the road.

Through the dark and empty town
The car is moving through a dark and empty town.

See the sky everywhere
The singer is observing the sky from inside the car.

Feel it in the open air
The fresh air is blowing through the open window of the car.

It's still so clear
The sky is still visible and clear despite the darkness.

I'll love you if you've changed
The artist repeats their earlier statement indicating that they are willing to love the person even if they have changed.

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: HARRIS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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