Twin Falls
Built to Spill Lyrics
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She was only two
It was the first time she felt blue
Cafeteria, Harrison Elementary
Beneath a parachute
I saw her without shoes
7UP I touched her thumb and she knew it was me
Unless of course she peeked
My mom's good she got me out of Twin Falls, Idaho
Before I got too old
You know how that goes
That's where she still was the summer she turned 17
In 1983, three weeks after me
Last I heard was she had twins or maybe it was three
Although I've never seen
But that don't bother me
The song Twin Falls by Built to Spill is a nostalgic ode to the memories of a girl from the singer's childhood. The lyrics show how the singer recalls their earliest memory of Christmas in Twin Falls, Idaho, an event which left the girl feeling blue. Next, the lyrics describe a moment from elementary school where the singer saw the girl without shoes under a parachute in the school cafeteria. The reference to 7UP and touching her thumb likely represents a playful interaction between the two kids. The singer is aware that the girl may have looked to see who touched her and suggests that there might have been some attraction between them even at that young age.
The lyrics further reveal that the singer's mother moved them out of Twin Falls before he got too old. This gives a sense of a broken relationship with the town, which is further hinted at by the sad memory of the girl feeling blue. However, the singer still has a fondness for Twin Falls and reminisces about the girl still being there when she turned 17 in 1983, just three weeks after him. The song ends on an optimistic note as the singer speculates about the girl having twins or maybe even three babies while also indicating that not seeing her or her children does not trouble him.
Overall, the song captures the wistful memories of a past shown in the perspective of a grown-up that left behind a person and a town that they held dear.
Line by Line Meaning
Christmas, Twin Falls, Idaho is her oldest memory
The earliest memory she can recall is of Christmas time spent in her hometown of Twin Falls, Idaho.
She was only two
The Christmas memory was from when she was only two years old.
It was the first time she felt blue
Despite her young age, it was the first time she ever experienced sadness.
Cafeteria, Harrison Elementary
The setting changes and now we're introduced to a specific location - the cafeteria at Harrison Elementary school.
Beneath a parachute
For some reason, there is a parachute present in the cafeteria.
I saw her without shoes
He notices the girl mentioned earlier, and observed that she wasn't wearing any shoes.
7UP
Presumably, the girl was drinking a bottle of 7UP.
I touched her thumb and she knew it was me
He makes physical contact with her by lightly touching her thumb, and she recognizes him despite not being able to see him directly.
Although she couldn't see
The girl is visually impaired in some way, which is why she needed to peek earlier to recognize him.
My mom's good she got me out of Twin Falls, Idaho
His mother made the decision to move away from Twin Falls, possibly to provide better opportunities.
Before I got too old
He left Twin Falls while he was still young enough for it to make a significant impact on his life.
You know how that goes
This sentence is somewhat of a throwaway line, but it could be interpreted as him referring to the typical small town life that many people can relate to.
That's where she still was the summer she turned 17
The girl he was previously talking about is still living in Twin Falls by the time she's 17 years old.
In 1983, three weeks after me
The year is specified as 1983, and he mentions that he was born only three weeks before the girl he's talking about.
Last I heard was she had twins or maybe it was three
He's uncertain of the exact number, but he's heard that the girl he knew had multiple children.
Although I've never seen
Despite hearing about her situation, he hasn't actually seen her in years.
But that don't bother me
He seems to be at peace with the idea that he's lost touch with this person and doesn't seem bothered by it.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: DOUG MARTSCH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Allicia Schmoker
Christmas, Twin Falls, Idaho
Is her oldest memory
She was only two
It's the first time she felt blue
Cafeteria, Harrison
Elementary
Beneath a parachute
I saw her without shoes
7 up, I touched her thumb
And she knew it was me
Although she couldn't see
Unless of course she peeked
My mom's good, she got me out of
Twin Falls, Idaho
Before I got too old
You know how that goes
That's where she still was the summer
She turned 17
In 1983
Three weeks after me
Last I heard was she had twins
Or maybe it was three
Although I've never seen
But that don't bother me
PlasticBeach666
This will always remind me of the first pure affection I ever felt despite a long line of abuse. The first time someone snuck their hand under the table to hold mine. And the times she smiled at me and we shared in painting a picture together. I really hope she ended up better off than myself because she was so indescribably pure and kind.
Allicia Schmoker
Christmas, Twin Falls, Idaho
Is her oldest memory
She was only two
It's the first time she felt blue
Cafeteria, Harrison
Elementary
Beneath a parachute
I saw her without shoes
7 up, I touched her thumb
And she knew it was me
Although she couldn't see
Unless of course she peeked
My mom's good, she got me out of
Twin Falls, Idaho
Before I got too old
You know how that goes
That's where she still was the summer
She turned 17
In 1983
Three weeks after me
Last I heard was she had twins
Or maybe it was three
Although I've never seen
But that don't bother me
Marc Faggin
I've always loved this song. Today I'm listening to it for the first time in Twin Falls, Idaho and yeah, I think I'm connecting with it at a deeper level.
Hector Alberto Maradona
Hermosa, dulce y melancólica canción, que me tomo el trabajo entretenido de cantarla en inglés.
Julia Gulia
Came here from Clairo's album Brains a Bus Station from 2016. She did a cover and looking up the lyrics, I found this. It's very nice. Calming.
TheOneSkitzoGamer
yep this band is definitely from Idaho
Leo Gomes
reminds me of the book i never liked you by chester burns
Game Wizard
Wow.
Matías Villalba
I'm in Buenos Aires, Argentina. I really wish was in Twin Falls, Idaho.
D'Abraham
Yes this is that good ether