Their debut album, "North Hills", was released in 2009. The album, "Nothing Is Wrong", follows in 2011.
More info: www.dawestheband.com
Side Effects
Dawes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We'd see how strong it really is
We could find out what it looks like
Or if it ever did exist
'Cause every time you said you loved me
Seems like the point escaped us both
And the current interrupted
Now there's a loophole in the theory
That I cannot figure out
'Cause if love was what they said it would be
Then you'd be here with me now
It's a loneliness perfected
It's how to laugh when you should cry
The side effects of broken promise
Becomes a way of getting by
So the next time that you see me
And our exchange feels somehow cheap
Know that I feel every word you're saying
But from just a few steps out of reach
Where the view is a little hazy
And the noise a little loud
'Cause if love was what they said it would be
Well then you'd be here with me now
If love was what they said it would be
Then you'd be here with me now
The lyrics of Dawes's Side Effects are imbued with deep reflections on the subject of love. The opening lines of the song suggest that the word “love” has become such a ubiquitous and cliche concept that its true strength and meaning have faded away. The singer imagines a world without a word for love, where people would have to rely on their actions and emotions to convey their feelings. The song suggests that love has become a sort of a cop-out, an easy phrase to throw around to escape difficult situations, without much thought or follow-through.
The lyrics then transition into a discussion about lost love and broken promises, which have turned into a way of life. The conversation turns inward to the singer, who is accepting the side effects of a broken promise as a way of getting through life. The song then doubles back on itself, noting a loophole in the theory that if love were truly what they say it is, the singer’s lover would still be with them. The song seems to be grappling with the idea of whether love exists at all, or whether it’s an illusion that we’ve created to give our lives some sense of purpose.
In conclusion, Dawes's Side Effects is a poignant reflection on the nature of love, loss, and heartbreak. It's a song that forces the listener to think deeply about love and what it truly means, as well as the different ways in which people cope with loss and heartbreak.
Line by Line Meaning
If there was no word for love now
If the concept of love didn't exist, we would truly understand how powerful it is.
We'd see how strong it really is
Without a word for it, we would be able to see love's true strength and impact.
We could find out what it looks like
Without the label of love, we could see what it truly looks like and means to people.
Or if it ever did exist
We might even question if love existed at all without the word to define it.
'Cause every time you said you loved me
Each time you said the words 'I love you'...
Seems like the point escaped us both
...we both missed the true meaning behind the words.
And the current interrupted
The moment was interrupted by outside distractions or circumstances.
The moment that you spoke
This happened as soon as you spoke the words 'I love you'.
Now there's a loophole in the theory
There's a contradiction or inconsistency in the idea or concept of love.
That I cannot figure out
Despite trying, I cannot understand or solve this loophole in the theory of love.
'Cause if love was what they said it would be
The loophole in the theory arises because love is not living up to people's expectations or promises.
Then you'd be here with me now
If love was all it was supposed to be, you would still be with me.
It's a loneliness perfected
Being alone has become a perfected state for me.
It's how to laugh when you should cry
I've learned to laugh instead of cry in difficult times.
The side effects of broken promise
The negative consequences of having a promise broken or expectations not met.
Becomes a way of getting by
These negative feelings become a way to cope and move forward.
So the next time that you see me
The next time we meet each other...
And our exchange feels somehow cheap
...our interaction or conversation may feel shallow or insincere.
Know that I feel every word you're saying
I understand what you're saying and mean well.
But from just a few steps out of reach
I still feel distant or disconnected from you.
Where the view is a little hazy
The situation or my perspective may be unclear or uncertain.
And the noise a little loud
There may be distractions or outside influences that make it hard to focus.
'Cause if love was what they said it would be
The same paradox in the concept of love arises again...
Well then you'd be here with me now
...if love was all it was supposed to be, we would still be together now.
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing, WORDS & MUSIC A DIV OF BIG DEAL MUSIC LLC
Written by: BLAKE MILLS, TAYLOR GOLDSMITH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind