When You Thought You'd Never Stand Out
Copeland Lyrics


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In other lives
In a bulletproof suit with some friends of mine
I wrote the plotline
Only I knew who survived
And through the night
In a really fast car on an uphill climb
Blew past a danger sign
And fell through darkness, sublime
But awoke just in time

They're gonna come to light tonight
They're gonna come to light tonight
They're gonna come to light tonight
But not for the last time

In younger days
I do my schoolwork while the neighbors play
But stare into space
With no feeling to convey
With no look on my face
In younger days
I'm stealing bases while my mother prays
And dreading to wake
Longing for one more play

They're gonna come to light tonight
They're gonna come to light tonight
They're gonna come to light tonight
But not for the last time

I don't know what everyone was looking at
I don't care what everyone was laughing at
I don't know what everyone was staring at
I think, I think that it's me

I don't know what everyone was looking at
I don't care what everyone was laughing at
I don't know what everyone was staring at
I think, I think that it's me

Didn't I tell you that I could hear you running out?
Didn't I find you when I knew you were hiding out?
Didn't I see you when you thought you'd never stand out?
Didn't I find you? Didn't I find you?

I don't know what everyone was looking at
I don't care what everyone was laughing at
I don't know what everyone was staring at (they're gonna come to light tonight)
I think, I think that it's me

Didn't I see you when you thought you'd never stand out? (I think, I think that it's me)
Didn't I find you? (They're gonna come to light tonight)
I think, I think that it's me

I don't know what everyone was looking at
I don't care what everyone was laughing at
I don't know what everyone was staring at
I think, I think that it's me

Didn't I see you when you thought you'd never stand out?




Didn't I find you? (They're gonna come to light tonight)
I think, I think that it's me

Overall Meaning

"When You Thought You'd Never Stand Out" by Copeland is a song that talks about the feelings of inadequacy and low self-esteem that everyone must have felt at some point in their lives. The song reflects on the memories of the past that people cherish while they fear failure and rejection. However, the chorus ultimately emphasizes that everyone has something special that will eventually come to light, and that they will stand out in their own unique and important way.


The first verse describes the singer's imagination where he is in control of his own narrative, and he is the mastermind of his own destiny. However, his imaginings come to a sudden stop when he falls through darkness. This vivid incident serves as a metaphor for the fears and worries that often consume the mind, leading to self-doubt and a feeling of hopelessness. The second verse depicts the memories of childhood, where the singer yearns for play and fun but is restricted by the responsibilities of school and home. The chorus emphasizes that the things holding the singer back will eventually fade away, and they will finally stand out.


Line by Line Meaning

In other lives
In different times or alternate realities


In a bulletproof suit with some friends of mine
In a situation where I felt invincible with my acquaintances


I wrote the plotline
I created the story or determined the outcome


Only I knew who survived
I was the only one aware of who would make it through


And through the night
All throughout the darkness or tough times


In a really fast car on an uphill climb
In a fast-paced challenge where difficulties kept increasing


Blew past a danger sign
Ignored a warning indicating impending harm


And fell through darkness, sublime
Fell into a state of peaceful calmness amidst chaos


But awoke just in time
Emerging from the crisis just in time to avoid disaster


They're gonna come to light tonight
The secrets will be exposed soon


But not for the last time
The situation may repeat itself, and the truth may surface again


In younger days
During my childhood or teenage years


I do my schoolwork while the neighbors play
Concentrating on my studies while others enjoy themselves


But stare into space
Looking blankly or contemplatively without any emotion


With no feeling to convey
Unable to express myself emotionally


With no look on my face
Appearing expressionless or emotionless


I'm stealing bases while my mother prays
Playing baseball while my mother prays for me


And dreading to wake
Feeling fearful about waking up to reality


Longing for one more play
Wishing for one more chance or moment to play the game


I don't know what everyone was looking at
Not understanding why others are staring or paying attention to me


I don't care what everyone was laughing at
Not bothered or concerned about why others are laughing


I don't know what everyone was staring at
Not comprehending why others are looking at me intently


I think, I think that it's me
Realizing that I may be the center of attention or the reason for others' actions


Didn't I tell you that I could hear you running out?
Didn't I warn you that your time was running short?


Didn't I find you when I knew you were hiding out?
Didn't I locate you when I suspected you were trying to conceal yourself?


Didn't I see you when you thought you'd never stand out?
Didn't I notice you when you believed you were unnoticed or insignificant?


Didn't I find you?
Didn't I discover your true self or uncover your secret?




Contributed by Sophie R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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