Baby
Dave Matthews Lyrics


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If these walls came crumbling down
Fell so hard to make us lose our faith
From what's left you'd figure it out
Still make lemonade taste like a sunny day

Stay, beautiful baby
I hope you stay, american baby
American baby

Nobody's laughing now
Gods grace lost and the devil is proud
But I've been walking for a thousand miles
One last time I could see you smile

I, I, hold, hold on to you
You bring me hope
I'll see you soon
And if I don't see you
I'm afraid we've lost the way

Stay, beautiful baby
I hope you stay, american baby
American baby
American baby

I hold on, to you, you lift me up
And always will
I see you in life
Hope I don't get left behind

I, I, hold, hold on to you
You bring me hope
I'll see you soon
And if I don't see you
I'm afraid we've lost the way

Stay, beautiful baby
I hope you stay, american baby
I hope you stay, beautiful baby
I hope you stay, american baby
American baby
American baby
Alright, stay, american baby
Beautiful

Nobody's laughing now
'Cause you could always make me laugh out loud
Stay, American baby
American baby




Stay, american baby
American baby (american baby)

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Dave Matthews's "American Baby" speak of the fragility of life and the need to hold on to the ones we love. The opening lines, "If these walls came crumbling down, fell so hard to make us lose our faith," suggest a chaotic and uncertain future. However, Matthews follows this up with a message of hope, saying that even if everything falls apart, "from what's left you'd figure it out, still make lemonade taste like a sunny day."


As the lyrics progress, Matthews turns his attention to a specific person, using affectionate terms like "beautiful baby" and "American baby." He speaks of the hardships they've faced together, saying that "nobody's laughing now, God's grace lost and the devil is proud," but that he's still holding on and walking with them through it all. The chorus repeats the plea for this person to stay with him, to not let them lose their way.


The bridge provides a moment of clarity and reassurance, as Matthews says that this person brings him hope and that he'll see them soon. He repeats this sentiment, driving home the importance of holding on to the people who give us hope and love.


Overall, "American Baby" is a heartfelt plea to hold on to the ones we love in the face of uncertainty and chaos. Matthews's use of endearing language and vivid images of making lemonade out of lemons make his message all the more powerful.


Line by Line Meaning

If these walls came crumbling down
If everything that held us together falls apart


Fell so hard to make us lose our faith
We're so broken that we almost lost hope


From what's left you'd figure it out
Despite everything, we will still find a way


Still make lemonade taste like a sunny day
Despite hardships, we find joy and make it through


Stay, beautiful baby
Stay strong and beautiful, my love


I hope you stay, american baby
I hope you stay true to your roots, my love


Nobody's laughing now
Our current situation is no longer a laughing matter


Gods grace lost and the devil is proud
Feels like we're losing to evil


But I've been walking for a thousand miles
I've been trying to come see you for a long time


One last time I could see you smile
I want to see you happy one more time


I, I, hold, hold on to you
I won't let you go


You bring me hope
You give me reason to keep going


I'll see you soon
I'll come see you very soon


And if I don't see you
If I don't see you anytime soon


I'm afraid we've lost the way
I'm afraid we might lose our connection


I hold on, to you, you lift me up
You give me strength to keep going


And always will
You'll always be there for me


I see you in life
I see you in everything I do


Hope I don't get left behind
I hope we stay together through it all


Alright, stay, american baby
Okay, continue being true to yourself, my love


Nobody's laughing now
This is a serious matter now


'Cause you could always make me laugh out loud
You were the only one who could make me genuinely happy


Stay, American baby
Stay true to your identity, my love


American baby
You are an American and proud of it


Stay, american baby
Stay who you are, my love


American baby (american baby)
You are an American and that's part of who you are




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: David John Matthews, Mark Christopher Batson, Boyd C. Tinsley, Leroi H. Moore, Carter A. Beauford, Stefan K. Lessard

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