Band members:
Tim Kasher – lead vocals, guitars, organ
Matt Maginn – bass, backing vocals
Clint Schnase – drums, percussion
Ted Stevens – guitars, backing vocals
Patrick Newbery – miscellaneous instruments
1997 - Such Blinding Stars for Starving Eyes
1998 - The Storms of Early Summer
2000 - Domestica
2003 - The Ugly Organ
2006 - Happy Hollow
2009 - Mama, I'm Swollen
2012 - I Am Gemini
2018 - Vitriola
2019 - Get Fixed
Nostalgia
Cursive Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The replacement is found
And the ______ falls around
And around and around
Hesitate and panic
When you look in his eye
The regret of your eyes
Memories
(Step up)
Of better days
(One step in time)
Poor as dirt, but
Free as a bird
Memories
(Step down)
Of yesterday
(One step in time)
Pure as water
And innocent
Professor, assessor
Confessor, caresser
___________
You give up
And cannot comprehend all the things
________________
In your heart, in your head
On the tip of your tongue
Of your tongue, of your tongue
All you know
What you are
What you know
All you are
__________
__________
Give in
Give in
Give in
Give in
Your life
Your life
Your life
Money
Money
Money
Money
Money
Money
Money
The lyrics to Cursive's "Nostalgia" are open to interpretation, but they seem to describe a sense of loss and confusion in the face of change. The first stanza suggests that something has been replaced, and the world is now falling apart around the singer. The second stanza introduces memories of better days, when the singer felt "free as a bird" and "pure as water." These memories contrast with the feeling of hesitation and panic in the present.
The third stanza is the most enigmatic, with a list of words that seem to describe different aspects of a relationship or a personal journey. The final stanza repeats the word "money" several times, perhaps suggesting that financial concerns are a part of the uncertainty the singer is experiencing. Throughout the song, there is a sense of wanting to give in to something, but it's not clear what that something is.
Overall, "Nostalgia" suggests that change can be difficult and disorienting, and that memories of happier times can both comfort and torment us. The song's ambiguity encourages listeners to apply their own experiences and emotions to the lyrics.
Line by Line Meaning
We stepped up, we stepped down
We made advancement and then regressed
The replacement is found
A substitute has been discovered
And the world falls around
The world seems to crumble
And around and around
And so continues the cycle of existence
Hesitate and panic
To waver and become anxious
When you look in his eye
Upon meeting his gaze
The regret of your eyes
The remorse from your soul
Of your eyes, of your eyes
Emanating from within you
Memories
Recollections
(Step up)
(Ascending)
Of better days
Of more favorable times
(One step in time)
(One motion forward)
Poor as dirt, but
Destitute, yet
Free as a bird
As unbounded as a bird in flight
Memories
Recollections
(Step down)
(Descending)
Of yesterday
Of prior days
(One step in time)
(One motion forward)
Pure as water
As pure as water
And innocent
And unsullied
Professor, assessor
Academic and evaluative
Confessor, caresser
Confessional and affectionate
You give up
You surrender
And cannot comprehend all the things
And cannot fully understand everything
In your heart, in your head
In your emotions and cognition
On the tip of your tongue
Almost about to be said
Of your tongue, of your tongue
Of the muscle in your mouth
All you know
Everything you are cognizant of
What you are
Who you are
What you know
What you have familiarity with
All you are
The totality of who you are
Give in
Surrender to the inevitable
Give in
Surrender to the inevitable
Give in
Surrender to the inevitable
Give in
Surrender to the inevitable
Your life
Your existence
Your life
Your existence
Your life
Your existence
Money
Material wealth
Money
Material wealth
Money
Material wealth
Lyrics © ROUGH TRADE PUBLISHING, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: THEODORE NAVARRO
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind