Park Bench
Chris Staples Lyrics


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One man dies on a park bench
One man dies on a yacht
One man dies on a business trip
In a hotel parking lot
How can I say, without sounding too cliche
That I want to live this day
Like it's my last
These moments that we share
Dissolve into the air
Without warning or apology they pass (yeah they pass)
Some men want to be remembered
Long, long after they're gone
Even though I know that is ridiculous
I wouldn't mind being thought of time to time

How can I say, without sounding too cliche
That I want to live this day
Like it's my last
These moments that we share




Dissolve into the air
Without warning or apology they pass (yeah they pass)

Overall Meaning

In the Chris Staples song "Park Bench," he reflects on the fragility of life and the importance of cherishing every moment. Staples uses the analogy of three different deaths: one man dying on a park bench, one man dying on a yacht, and one man dying on a business trip in a hotel parking lot. The point being that no matter who you are or where you're at in life, death is an inevitability.


Staples then goes on to muse that he wants to live each day like it's his last. He recognizes that life is short, and moments pass by without apologies or warnings. Staples knows that some people want to be remembered long after they're gone, but he only wants to be "thought of time to time." It's a reflective song that urges the listener to appreciate every moment they have.


Line by Line Meaning

One man dies on a park bench
A man passes away on a public place to rest.


One man dies on a yacht
Even a luxurious place like a yacht can be the site of someone's last breath.


One man dies on a business trip
Someone dies in a place where they went for work purposes.


In a hotel parking lot
A grim and unremarkable location for someone's passing to take place.


How can I say, without sounding too cliche
The artist wants to express something without sounding too overdone.


That I want to live this day
The artist desires to seize each day to the fullest.


Like it's my last
The artist sees every day as a precious opportunity.


These moments that we share
The time we spend together as humans.


Dissolve into the air
Those precious moments slip away far too easily.


Without warning or apology they pass (yeah they pass)
Life's moments are fleeting and inevitable.


Some men want to be remembered
Certain people want to leave a legacy behind.


Long, long after they're gone
Beyond their living years.


Even though I know that is ridiculous
The artist believes the desire for legacy is excessive.


I wouldn't mind being thought of time to time
Nonetheless, a small remembrance isn't entirely off-putting.




Contributed by Hunter V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@gedgant1

Great album

Yeah, why not more views?

I do not understand it when the whole album is solid though this song really spoke to me.

Such great lyrics: "These moments we share, dissolve into the air without warning or apology they pass...yeah they pass..."

Yes they do. Life is short, pay attention to the details and relish every moment.



@k13sha93

one man dies on a park bench
one man dies on a yacht
one man dies on a business trip
in a hotel parking lot

[chorus]
how can i say, without sounding too cliche
that i want to live this day
like it’s my last
these moments that we share
dissolve into the air
without warning or apology they p-ss (yeah they p-ss)

some men want to be remembered
long, long after they’re gone
even though i know that is ridiculous
i wouldn’t mind being thought of time to time

[repeat chorus]



All comments from YouTube:

@TVrawks301

My grandmother died today. She was 90. She made some bad choices & had a very rough life, but still made it to leaving this world in peace and comfort.

Not all of us may make it that far. This song has so much truth in it.

Be yourself and know (or find out) where you’re going - in this life and the next.

Thank you Chris! 😌

@bozhidarpetrov1336

So much soul....

@potedude

Why does this not have way more views?

@jyvincent700

Yeah

@LylaandFloratwins

We all know it's beautiful and about the music, but I suspect that some see Chris' look in the beginning, hear how soft it is and move on. They just leave more juicy gold beauty for the rest of us. :)

@RaoulDukeSr

My opinion is this....the entire album is a masterpiece, through and through 🌲☀️🌲

@alexbernovici4485

Your album saved my life

@lastbugbalci6446

Thank god

@JamesJenkemJingleHeimerSHIT

The new album is so good

@ry1963

chris staples for president

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