When
Carly Tefft Lyrics

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Driving past dark reminds me of our rides
Miles in denial ended in fights
Putting on emo songs from ’05 kept us awake
Hands Down still gets me every time
When I miss you, I miss when I didn’t know
That you’d never be there when I needed you the most
Cause when it came down to convenience
You chose what was the easiest

Saved yourself and let me go
When I miss you, I miss when I didn’t know
Secrets you told to me I swore to hold and keep
I thought you would do the same for me
When I showed my scars and broken parts
For you to love
You turned away so easily
Walked out just gave up
When I miss you, I miss when I didn’t know
That you’d never be there when I needed you the most
Cause when it came down to convenience
You chose what was the easiest
Saved yourself and let me go
When I miss you, I miss when I didn’t know
So long I lived this lie
Thinking you would change your mind
But I’m finally facing the truth
You’re not who I thought I knew
When I miss you, I miss when I didn’t know
That you’d never be there when I needed you the most
Cause when it came down to convenience
You chose what was the easiest
Saved yourself and let me go

When I miss you, I miss when I didn’t know
I don't miss you, I miss when I didn’t know

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Carly Tefft's song "When I Miss You" depict the emotional journey of longing for someone, but specifically, the nostalgia for a time when the singer didn't know the true nature of the person they miss. The opening lines, "Driving past dark reminds me of our rides/Miles in denial ended in fights," suggest that the singer is reflecting on a tumultuous past relationship. They reminisce about the moments spent together, driving and listening to music that kept them both engaged and awake, such as the reference to an emo song from 2005 (possibly "Hands Down" by Dashboard Confessional) that still tugs at their heartstrings.

However, as the lyrics progress, it becomes evident that the singer's memories are not entirely positive. They confess their naivety and ignorance to the fact that the person they miss would never truly be there for them in times of need. The line "Cause when it came down to convenience/You chose what was the easiest/Saved yourself and let me go" reveals that the person in question prioritized their own convenience over the needs of the singer, ultimately abandoning them when things became challenging.

The lyrics continue with an admission of the singer's vulnerability and trust, as they thought that sharing their scars and brokenness would encourage the person they miss to love and support them in return. However, the person's indifference and ease in turning away from the singer's pain shattered the singer's hopes. The line "Secrets you told to me I swore to hold and keep/I thought you would do the same for me" underscores the feeling of betrayal the singer experienced.

Towards the end of the song, there is a shift in perspective. The singer declares that they no longer miss the person, but rather miss the innocence of not knowing the truth about them. This realization is empowering, as the singer confronts the fact that the person they once idealized is not who they thought they were. They have finally accepted the truth and are ready to move forward.

Overall, Carly Tefft's "When I Miss You" portrays the bittersweet nostalgia of yearning for someone while simultaneously acknowledging the pain and disappointment they caused. It explores the complexities of love and the journey of self-discovery through heartache.

Line by Line Meaning

Driving past dark reminds me of our rides
Remembering our times together, driving through the darkness evokes memories of our past rides

Miles in denial ended in fights
Our attempts to ignore our issues eventually led to arguments and conflicts

Putting on emo songs from ’05 kept us awake
Listening to emotional songs from 2005 helped us stay awake during our time together

Hands Down still gets me every time
The song 'Hands Down' still has a strong emotional impact on me

When I miss you, I miss when I didn’t know
When I yearn for your presence, I long for a time when I was unaware of the truth about you

That you’d never be there when I needed you the most
I discovered that you would never be by my side when I needed you the most

Cause when it came down to convenience
Because when it became convenient for you

You chose what was the easiest
You opted for what was most convenient for yourself

Saved yourself and let me go
You prioritized saving yourself and let me go in the process

Secrets you told to me I swore to hold and keep
The secrets you shared with me, I made a promise to guard and keep them

I thought you would do the same for me
I believed that you would reciprocate and keep my secrets just as I did for you

When I showed my scars and broken parts
When I revealed my vulnerabilities and flaws

For you to love
Hoping that you would love and accept me despite my imperfections

You turned away so easily
You effortlessly turned your back on me

Walked out just gave up
You chose to leave and gave up on our relationship

So long I lived this lie
I have lived in this falsehood for a significant amount of time

Thinking you would change your mind
Believing that you would eventually have a change of heart

But I’m finally facing the truth
However, I am now confrontin the reality of the situation

You’re not who I thought I knew
You are not the person I thought I knew

I don't miss you, I miss when I didn’t know
I am not missing you as an individual, but rather longing for a time when I was oblivious to the truth about you

Lyrics © O/B/O DistroKid
Written by: Carly Tefft

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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