Taking Care of Things
Cavetown Lyrics


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Where do the boys go when it gets cold out
Do they have a place to sleep?
Where did their mums go? Did they get taken
Or had they had enough of taking care of things?
It's hard to say if someone's at fault
If I don't do anything is it my fault?

Where do the girls go when they feel frightened
Do they have something to eat?
Where did their dads go? Did they get taken
Or had they had enough of taking care of things?

I've gotta find a way to make this feel okay
When rock bottom for me is routine for someone else

I'm gonna take care of things
There's things I need to sort out
I'm gonna take care of things
Cause they're not where I want them right now
I know there's good in everything
And it'll show itself when you're gentle to it
I'm gonna take care of things

Where does my mind go when it gets stupid?
Is there anyone in there?
Where did my friends go? Did they get taken
Or had they had enough of going to therapy?
Sat in a cold room, The corners feel friendly
I think they'll take care of me
My brothers are circles, My sisters quadrilaterals
And they're all so pretty

I'm gonna take care of things
There's things I need to sort out
I'm gonna take care of things
They're not where I need them right now
I know there's good in everything




And it'll show itself when you're gentle to it
I'm gonna take care of things

Overall Meaning

In "Taking Care of Things," Cavetown sings about the struggles and difficulties that people face in their daily lives. The opening lines of the song ask a poignant question about where boys go when it gets cold out, and whether they have a place to sleep. In this, Cavetown raises the issue of homelessness and the struggles that impact young people. He also questions the fate of girls and their mothers who may have been taken away or may have decided to leave because they have had enough of taking care of things. These lyrics touch on themes of loss, abandonment, and responsibility.


The chorus of the song sees Cavetown take on an optimistic stance as he sings about his own attempts to take care of things. He acknowledges that there is much that needs to be sorted out, but he is committed to doing it. The bridge delves deeper into his personal struggles with mental health and how it impacts his friendships. He talks about feeling stupid at times and wonders if there is anyone in his mind. The ending of the song is hopeful as Cavetown's tone shifts from questioning the fate of others to being resolved to "find a way to make this feel okay."


Line by Line Meaning

Where do the boys go when it gets cold out
Wondering where boys go when it's cold outside, whether they have a place to sleep.


Do they have a place to sleep?
Asking if boys have a place to sleep when it's cold outside.


Where did their mums go? Did they get taken
Questioning if the boys' mothers were taken or left because they couldn't handle taking care of them anymore.


Or had they had enough of taking care of things?
Wondering if the boys' mothers left them because they couldn't cope with the responsibilities of taking care of them.


It's hard to say if someone's at fault
It's difficult to determine who's responsible for the situation.


If I don't do anything is it my fault?
Asking if not doing anything makes oneself responsible for the boys' situation.


Where do the girls go when they feel frightened
Asking where girls go when they are scared.


Do they have something to eat?
Asking if girls have food to eat when they feel frightened.


Where did their dads go? Did they get taken
Questioning if the girls' fathers were taken or left because they couldn't handle taking care of them anymore.


Or had they had enough of taking care of things?
Wondering if the girls' fathers left them because they couldn't cope with the responsibilities of taking care of them.


I've gotta find a way to make this feel okay
I have to find a way to make things feel okay.


When rock bottom for me is routine for someone else
When a low point for me is a typical experience for someone else.


I'm gonna take care of things
Planning to take care of things that need sorting out.


There's things I need to sort out
There are things that need to be sorted out.


Cause they're not where I want them right now
Because things are not where I want them to be.


I know there's good in everything
I understand there is something positive in everything.


And it'll show itself when you're gentle to it
Something positive will reveal itself when treated with kindness.


Where does my mind go when it gets stupid?
Asking where one's mind goes when they are not thinking clearly.


Is there anyone in there?
Questioning if there is anyone in one's own mind.


Where did my friends go? Did they get taken
Asking if friends left or were taken away.


Or had they had enough of going to therapy?
Wondering if friends stopped going to therapy because they had enough of it.


Sat in a cold room, The corners feel friendly
Sitting alone in a cold room, and finding comfort in the familiar corners.


I think they'll take care of me
Believing that the familiar corners will take care of oneself.


My brothers are circles, My sisters quadrilaterals
Seeing brothers as circles and sisters as quadrilaterals, each with their own unique shape and personality.


And they're all so pretty
Appreciating and admiring one's siblings for who they are.




Contributed by Kaelyn K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@haileya3091

Where do the boys go when it gets cold out
Do they have a place to sleep?
Where did their mums go? Did they get taken
Or had they had enough of taking care of things?
It's hard to say if someone's at fault
If I don't do anything is it my fault?


Where do the girls go when they feel frightened
Do they have something to eat?
Where did their dads go? Did they get taken
Or had they had enough of taking care of things?


I've gotta find a way to make this feel okay
When rock bottom for me is routine for someone else


I'm gonna take care of things
There's things I need to sort out
I'm gonna take care of things
Cause they're not where I want them right now
I know there's good in everything
And it'll show itself when you're gentle to it
I'm gonna take care of things


Where does my mind go when it gets stupid?
Is there anyone in there?
Where did my friends go? Did they get taken
Or had they had enough of going to therapy?
Sat in a cold room, The corners feel friendly
I think they'll take care of me
My brothers are circles, My sisters quadrilaterals
And they're all so pretty


I'm gonna take care of things
There's things I need to sort out
I'm gonna take care of things
They're not where I need them right now
I know there's good in everything
And it'll show itself when you're gentle to it
I'm gonna take care of things



@lemon.milk.3211

I've been listening to this song on repeat for the past few days.
I can't bring myself to get out of bed, and when I do I break down, I don't know why, but it just happens.
I can't tell anybody because they don't really care, I mean, I don't blame them.
But this song, I don't know what it is, but it makes me feel alright. Like things will be okay, like I'll be okay
I was able to go outside yesterday, I think that's a start.
I painted a lemon on my ukulele too, maybe I should learn how to play this, I can't play very well but I'm learning, day by day.
So, thank you, I know this song was released 2 years ago, and you won't read this, but thank you.
Your music is a big inspiration for me, you are a big inspiration to me.
So, Thanks :)



All comments from YouTube:

@bethiebowie6171

Nobody really cares and you probably won't see this but I just wanted to thank you for your music. I lost my first love the week your album came out and the night my heart broke, I just listened to this song all night till i fell asleep. It was very comforting and I didn't feel as alone. I'm glad I have the pleasure of enjoying your music when things get dark.

@ashtonbowen5629

I'm sorry about what happened with your partner, it's never easy to lose someone you love; just remember to take care of yourself. sending you some good vibes and my love. hope you feel better soon. <3

@bethiebowie6171

Ashton Bowen Thank you so much ♡ I really appreciate it. Honestly didn't think anyone would matter reading my comment lol

@bethiebowie6171

HE. LIKED. MY. COMMENT. I'm freaking out so bad, I'm crying, how is this even reall

@bethiebowie6171

Tori Tellem Music Thank you. And that just makes him an even more amazing person 💘

@jotachio1

Same with me. :')

23 More Replies...

@Jordyesscoto

THANK YOU THANK YOU I THOUGHT THIS WAS NOT IN APPLE MUSIC

@katiegoebel3722

oh my god i remember when he was so small and no body knew his name now my little bb is so grown and becoming mainstream but its okay bcause im so proud of him

@cassdraws06

What age is him now?

@beatrizsantana26

@@cassdraws06 20 I think

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