The Riff
Dave Mathews Band Lyrics

Funny how time slips away
It is fascinating to see how quickly time passes by.

looking at the cracks creeping across my face
I am noticing the signs of aging on my face.

I remember the little kid living in here
I recall the youthful version of myself who used to reside in this body.

he'll be living here probably until I'm dead.
That youthful version of myself will likely always live within me.

Please don't leave me, baby
I am urging my companion not to abandon me.

Sitting in a box away from the world out there
I find myself isolated from the world outside.

a world piled high with boxes just like this
A world full of individuals cut off from the rest of society.

but please don't ever leave me alone in here
Please do not leave me to face my fears and insecurities without support.

take me out, shake off the dust, shake off the fear.
Help me overcome my anxieties and return to the world at large.

If you stay with me
I am hoping that my companion will stay by my side.

that don't mean we gotta stay the same
We can change and grow while still remaining together.

well baby, you and me we'll change the game
Together, we have the power to make a significant impact.

Well I don't know the man that's livin' in my head
I am unsure of my own thoughts and motivations.

'til you reach down and bring the light back in
I need my companion's guidance to help me rediscover my inner self.

no, I don't know the man that's living in my head
I am still struggling to understand myself.

if I don't know the woman sleeping in my bed.
If I am still trying to grasp my own identity, how can I understand my partner's?

Remember how we used to kiss, baby
Looking back on our intimate moments together.

kiss like it was everything?
We were so passionately in love that each kiss felt all-consuming.

Remember how we used to love, baby
Reflecting on our deep feelings of affection for one another.

love like it was everything?
Our love was so profound that it seemed to overshadow everything else in our lives.

I only got a minute or two to spare
Life is short, and we must make the most of every moment.

and I gotta whole damn life to fit in there
I have a lot of living left to do, and I cannot waste any more time.

so why waste time staring at the T.V. set?
We should not waste our lives on passive activities like watching television.

like I got dreams to kill and people to forget.
There are aspirations to pursue and memories to leave behind.

Remember how we used to dance, baby
Reminiscing about our joyful times of dancing together.

just like it was everything?
Dancing felt like the most important thing in the world when we did it together.

you stay with me
Reiterating the importance of companionship and support.

but that don't mean I wanna stay the same.
While I value having someone by my side, I still desire to grow and transform as a person.

baby, you and me can make the change
Together, we have the power to effect positive change in the world around us.

well baby, you and me we'll change the game.
Emphasizing the potential for meaningful impact when two people work together toward a common goal.