In 2006, Holcomb married his longtime friend and singing partner, Ellie Holcomb (nee Bannister), and relocated to her hometown of Nashville. The rest of the band, guitarist Nathan Dugger, bassist Rich Brinsfield, and drummer Jon Radford also lived in the same East Nashville area, hence the group name.
Their albums include "A Neighborly Christmas" (2007), "Passenger Seat" (2008), "A Million Miles Away" (2009), "Chasing Someday" (2011), "Through the Night: Live in the Studio" (2012), and "Good Light" (2013).
The Last Thing We Do
Drew Holcomb & the Neighbors Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Why can I feel you staring at me
I saw your face in Los Angeles
And the traffic never made it love it any less
There's a reason a season a treason for meaning
Like a hot blooded cold hearted film without a screening
Dreamed up in your head now it's dead
Nobody cared in the first place
How long have I loved you?
How long have I told you the truth?
We're gonna try and make it better
We're gonna try and make it better
We're gonna try and make it better
Oh, if it's the last thing that we do
I drove to Memphis to see my mother
Oil change, rearrange, gas station druthers
Red light, yellow light, up to Chicago
Colorado, Mexico, anywhere you wanna go
Waking, sleeping, loving, and goodbyeing
Bravado, eating crow, I heard you crying
Left wing, right wing, nobody hears you sing
Yeah we're moving on without you
How long have I loved you?
How long have I told you the truth?
We're gonna try and make it better
We're gonna try and make it better
We're gonna try and make it better
Oh, if it's the last thing that we do
I see the metaphor tell me more tomorrow
The harvest is coming and still we borrow
Feedback, aching back, I hear the violin
I feel like a stranger in my own skin
The congregation sang, but the preacher stayed home
With the kings, queens, and thieves all along
Like a pilgrim without a place to roam
Nobody saw us trying
How long have I loved you?
How long have I told you the truth?
We're gonna try and make it better
We're gonna try and make it better
We're gonna try and make it better
Oh, if it's the last thing that we do
The lyrics of Drew Holcomb & the Neighbors's song The Last Thing We Do are filled with metaphorical language that speaks to the themes of love, loss, and trying to make things right. The opening lines, "Thinking blinking consistency, why can I feel you staring at me" creates a sense of unease and self-awareness. The singer is questioning his own thoughts and feelings, wondering why he is so acutely aware of someone else's gaze. The reference to Los Angeles and traffic suggests a sense of chaos and confusion, but the love between the two people remains steadfast.
Throughout the song, the singer reflects on his relationship with this person, questioning how long he has loved them and how long he has been honest with them. He describes a journey across the country, which could either be a metaphor for the ups and downs of the relationship or a literal journey to try and make things right. The references to "left wing, right wing" and "the congregation sang, but the preacher stayed home" suggest political and religious divisions that are getting in the way of people truly hearing each other.
The repeated refrain of "We're gonna try and make it better, oh if it's the last thing that we do" creates a sense of hope and determination. The singer acknowledges that things have not been perfect, but he is committed to making things right. The song ends with the line, "Nobody saw us trying," emphasizing the importance of effort and determination in relationships.
Line by Line Meaning
Thinking blinking consistency
Trying to maintain consistency in thoughts amidst distractions
Why can I feel you staring at me
Feeling conscious of someone observing or judging you
I saw your face in Los Angeles
Witnessing a familiar face in an unknown place
And the traffic never made it love it any less
The hustle-bustle of the city not diluting its beauty
There's a reason a season a treason for meaning
A purpose for every action, event, or betrayal
Like a hot blooded cold hearted film without a screening
Strong emotions not put into action or expression
Dreamed up in your head now it's dead
An unrealized idea or plan
Nobody cared in the first place
No one showed interest initially
How long have I loved you?
Expressing the duration of love
How long have I told you the truth?
Expressing how long they have been honest
We're gonna try and make it better
Determined to make the situation better
Oh, if it's the last thing that we do
An urgency to achieve the goal before the end
I drove to Memphis to see my mother
Travelling to meet a loved one
Oil change, rearrange, gas station druthers
Routine maintenance of a vehicle
Red light, yellow light, up to Chicago
Navigating through traffic signals on a journey
Colorado, Mexico, anywhere you wanna go
Open to travelling anywhere
Waking, sleeping, loving, and goodbyeing
The cycle of emotions in life
Bravado, eating crow, I heard you crying
Vulnerability in tough situations
Left wing, right wing, nobody hears you sing
Political affiliations not influencing individual opinions
Yeah we're moving on without you
Continuing the journey without someone who left
I see the metaphor tell me more tomorrow
Understanding the symbolism of something and wanting to know more
The harvest is coming and still we borrow
Accountability for actions taken in the past
Feedback, aching back, I hear the violin
Progressing in life despite challenges
I feel like a stranger in my own skin
Feeling disconnected from oneself
The congregation sang, but the preacher stayed home
Contrast between intention and action
With the kings, queens, and thieves all along
Not realizing the true nature of people around
Like a pilgrim without a place to roam
Feeling lost without a sense of direction or purpose
Nobody saw us trying
Not receiving recognition for making an effort
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Drew Holcomb
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind