Witmer has released a number of albums (including Recovered), some EPs, and an LP with his side project, The River Bends, in which Witmer plays guitar and sings along with a backup band including members of Philly-based alt-country band One Star Hotel. His 2005 album, Are You A Dreamer?, was produced by mentor Don Peris of The Innocence Mission and featured Asthmatic Kitty artist Sufjan Stevens. It gained rave reviews by such opposite ends of the spectrum as Pitchfork Media and Entertainment Weekly.
Subsequent albums have included "Carry the Weight" (2008), "The Ones Who Wait" (2012), and "Denison Witmer" (2013).
His official website is located at http://www.denisonwitmer.com.
Over My Head
Denison Witmer Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
when we were in your room you looked straight through
the life that i've led, things that i've said
make you tired
but you could always find the best in me
you can always sense the times that i've been falling apart
the shape of my heart shows it's marks
it's a lonely life
we both know that ...
things are gonna change
* you're over my head, over my mind
walk with my face down (and my eyes)
over my head, over my mind
walk with my face down
walk with my head down
i'm going on two weeks since i last saw
the smile that depended on my life
for things that she needs
i just called to see if you're fine
it's a lonely life
we both know that
are you safe away?
* you're over my head...
In Denison Witmer's song "Over My Head," we see a narrator reflecting on a past relationship that has since ended. The lyrics open with him taking himself back to a time when they were in her room, and she looked straight through him. The life he has led and the things he has said seem to make her tired. Despite this, she could always find the best in him and sense the times that he’s been falling apart. The shape of his heart shows its marks.
The chorus reveals his feelings of being overwhelmed by his emotions. He says she is over his head and mind, and he walks with his face down because he cannot bear to face the world. Later in the song, he mentions that it has been two weeks since he saw her, and he reflects on how much he relied on her smile in his life. He just wants to know if she's fine, and he hopes she is safe away from him.
The lyrics suggest that the singer is struggling to move on from this relationship, and his feelings of being overwhelmed are perfectly captured in the chorus. The shape of his heart, the things he’s said and done, and the loneliness he's feeling are all elements that make this song very relatable. We've all had moments where we feel like we're drowning in our own emotions, and this song captures that feeling perfectly.
Line by Line Meaning
taking myself back to the time
Reflecting on a past memory.
when we were in your room you looked straight through
Recalling a specific moment where someone didn't acknowledge the singer's feelings.
the life that i've led, things that i've said
Feeling self-conscious about past actions and experiences.
make you tired
Perceiving that someone is worn out by the artist's behavior or personality.
but you could always find the best in me
Recognizing that someone has a positive perspective on the artist's qualities.
you can always sense the times that i've been falling apart
Acknowledging that someone has been able to detect when the singer is struggling emotionally or mentally.
the shape of my heart shows it's marks
Conveying that the singer's emotional state has left traces on them.
it's a lonely life
Expressing that the artist perceives their existence as isolated.
we both know that ...
Implying that the listener can understand the artist's perspective.
things are gonna change
Believing that events in the near future will be different from the present situation.
you're over my head, over my mind
Feeling overwhelmed and consumed by someone's presence in the singer's thoughts.
walk with my face down (and my eyes)
Portraying body language that represents shyness or avoiding eye contact out of discomfort.
i'm going on two weeks since i last saw
Not having seen someone in a significant amount of time.
the smile that depended on my life
Highlighting someone whose happiness is crucial to the singer's well-being.
for things that she needs
Implying that the singer is capable of providing something necessary for the person previously mentioned.
i just called to see if you're fine
Reaching out to confirm the listener's well-being.
are you safe away?
Expressing concern for the listener's safety and security.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: DENISON WITMER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind