Th… Read Full Bio ↴Cory Wells is a singer-songwriter from Redondo Beach, California.
The cover of Wells’ debut album, THE WAY WE ARE, features the Los Angeles-based singer/songwriter perched atop a rusted-out vintage car, calling to mind dusty folk music. Songs like the set-opening “Distant” and “Keiko,” imbued by seemingly effortless musicianship and wistful nostalgia, go a long way toward reinforcing this sonic predilection.
But there’s more to Wells than what you’ll find on the surface. The songwriter grew up playing metal before discovering Dashboard Confessional’s seminal MTV Unplugged 2.0 live album, a record that set him on a hard left turn to creating a more well-worn, earnest style. Even so, he injects the desperation and power of his heavy music background into every note of THE WAY WE ARE – not necessarily in sound, but in spirit.
Across the album’s 12 songs, Wells plays the role of shapeshifter: Just when you’ve got him figured out, he unleashes new musical elements – a ferocious scream (“Walk Away”) that eventually gives way to soaring falsetto (“Cement”), stirring acoustic guitar that crescendos into fiery full-band fare. The ghosts of new-era emo torchbearers (including Dashboard’s Chris Carrabba, a contributor on “Fall Apart”) are alive and well in his lush beds of acoustic-based rock, but Wells isn’t actively summoning them. Rather, he’s a decidedly patient songwriter, waiting for the right time to pair a searing lyric with the throat-shredding vocal performance it demands.
Long Long Time
Cory Wells Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Take things in stride
Sounds like good advice
But there's no one at my side
And time washes clean love's wounds unseen
That's what someone told me
But I don't know what it means
'Cause I've done everything I know
And I think I'm gonna love you
For a long long time
Caught in my fears
Blinking back the tears
I can't say you hurt me
When you never let me near
And I never drew one response from you
All the while you fell all over girls you never knew
'Cause I've done everything I know
To try and make you mine
And I think it's gonna hurt me
For a long long time
Wait for the day you'll go away
Knowing that you warned me
Of the price I'd have to pay
And life's full of flaws
Who knows the cause?
Living in the memory of a love that never was
'Cause I've done everything I know
To try and change your mind
And I think I'm gonna miss you
For a long long time
'Cause I've done everything I know
To try and make you mine
And I think I'm gonna love you
For a long long time
The song "Long Long Time" by Cory Wells is a heartfelt ballad that explores themes of unrequited love, heartbreak, and the passage of time. The lyrics convey the singer's feelings of loneliness and longing as they reflect on their failed attempts to win over the person they love. The opening lines, "Love will abide, take things in stride, sounds like good advice, but there's no one at my side," immediately set the tone for the song, highlighting the singer's solitude despite the notion that love should be enduring and resilient.
The lyrics continue to express the singer's frustration and pain as they confess that they have done everything they know to make the person they love theirs. However, their efforts have been in vain, as the person remains distant and unresponsive. The line, "I can't say you hurt me when you never let me near," captures the emotional distance and one-sidedness of the relationship. The singer is left feeling insignificant and hurt while witnessing the person they love giving attention and affection to others.
As the song progresses, the lyrics delve into the singer's realization that their love is unrequited and that they must face the consequences of their attachment. The line, "Wait for the day you'll go away, knowing that you warned me of the price I'd have to pay," reveals the singer's awareness that the relationship is doomed and that they were warned about the inevitable heartbreak.
The final verse reflects on the flaws and uncertainties of life, emphasizing the painful nostalgia of holding onto a love that never truly existed. Despite their efforts, the singer knows they cannot change the mind of the person they love, and they anticipate missing them for a long time.
Overall, "Long Long Time" is a poignant exploration of unrequited love and the lingering pain that can accompany such experiences. The lyrics capture a sense of longing, frustration, and resignation, offering a relatable portrayal of the complexities of romantic relationships.
Line by Line Meaning
Love will abide
Love will endure
Take things in stride
Handle things calmly and patiently
Sounds like good advice
Seems like wise counsel
But there's no one at my side
But I am alone
And time washes clean love's wounds unseen
And time heals emotional pain that is hidden
That's what someone told me
That's what I was told by someone
But I don't know what it means
But I do not understand its significance
'Cause I've done everything I know
Because I have tried all that I am aware of
To try and make you mine
To attempt to make you belong to me
And I think I'm gonna love you
And I believe I will continue to love you
For a long long time
For an extended duration
Caught in my fears
Trapped in my anxieties
Blinking back the tears
Suppressing the urge to cry
I can't say you hurt me
I cannot accuse you of causing me pain
When you never let me near
When you never allowed me to get close
And I never drew one response from you
And I never received any reaction from you
All the while you fell all over girls you never knew
All the while you were infatuated with strangers
'Cause I've done everything I know
Because I have tried all that I am aware of
To try and make you mine
To attempt to make you belong to me
And I think it's gonna hurt me
And I believe it will cause me pain
For a long long time
For an extended duration
Wait for the day you'll go away
Anticipate the day you will depart
Knowing that you warned me
Being aware that you cautioned me
Of the price I'd have to pay
Of the consequences I would face
And life's full of flaws
And life is filled with imperfections
Who knows the cause?
Who understands the reason?
Living in the memory of a love that never was
Existing in the recollection of a love that never existed
'Cause I've done everything I know
Because I have tried all that I am aware of
To try and change your mind
To attempt to make you reconsider
And I think I'm gonna miss you
And I believe I will long for you
For a long long time
For an extended duration
'Cause I've done everything I know
Because I have tried all that I am aware of
To try and make you mine
To attempt to make you belong to me
And I think I'm gonna love you
And I believe I will continue to love you
For a long long time
For an extended duration
Lyrics © O/B/O DistroKid
Written by: Gary B. White
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
tysonf89
Such a shame to the music world that Corey's content doesn't have millions of views. One of my absolute favorite artists. His vocals, his original songwriting, his emotion is untouched. Incredible.
AustinDToTheJ
Cory, your ability to convey agonizing pain with your voice and guitar just astounds me. One of your biggest fans ever since I found you out, truly one of the best singer songwriters I’ve ever listened to. This cover is so good and this has to be one of my favorite covers I’ve ever listened to. Thank you for sharing your craft and your art with us, it means more than you will ever know. Keep killing it! ❤️
Mick Schuller
That magnificent mustache can do no wrong.
Rizz3n
That amazing voice sounds even better live!
DieWockBurst
Great Cover. Love the youth fountain T-Shirt.
Nathaniel
I saw you in like 2019 in Houston, and you were a delight to talk with after the show. I love how your music is always so good and vocal ability grows consistently. Thank you for all the wonderful music/covers💜
Richard Wyland
WOWS....Killer cover.....LOVED it.....!
Evaa Kittyy
Amazing cover T___T im crying..
I love the Youth Fountain shirt too!!
Nixda_games
Truly amazing Cover!
Seen you live in Munich. Such a heartmoving performance and an outstanding singer. Thanks for your inspiring work from Germany. ❤
George Ferreira
What an amazing cover. Makes it his own