Friedberger grew up singing with her grandmother, Olga Sarantos, and family in a Greek Orthodox Church.
On July 12, 2011, Merge Records released Friedberger's first solo album, Last Summer.
The Spoon song "Anything You Want" and the Franz Ferdinand song "Eleanor Put Your Boots On" were both written about Friedberger.
She released her second album, Personal Record, on 4 June 2013.
My Mistakes
Eleanor Friedberger Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Humming to myself and kicking up my kicks
? have to ? for my life
I hope I won’t crush like another summer,
I’m back on the bridge was just a wooden half,
? like he said it was back in 56.
[Chorus]
I thought he’d learnt from my mistakes,
I thought you’d give me the right advice,
I thought he let me in for one last time.
? like an old time movie,
? she’s got kind of a native vibe before that was so cool
She’s got kind of a native vibe before I knew who was who
And he's ignoring me like it's 2001.
Why keep time travelling if it doesn’t get better on me?
A second time move on,
Why keep time travelling if it doesn’t get better on me?
A second time move on,
[Chorus]
I thought I’d learnt from my mistakes,
I thought he’d learnt from my mistakes,
I thought you’d give me the right advice,
I thought he let me in for one last time.
? on another Sunday morning,
Carrying umbrella, and talking on the phone!
? cut my hand and my knees.
? from California and I swear, I swear they’re here!
I swear they saved my life!
[Chorus: x2]
The lyrics of Eleanor Friedberger's song My Mistakes paint a picture of someone who seems to be stuck in a cycle of making the same mistakes over and over again. The opening lines of the song set the tone for this theme and suggest that the singer's best thinking often takes place while driving recklessly down a bridge. The lyrics convey a sense of urgency and danger, as the singer fears that they might end up in another crash.
At the same time, the song also alludes to a sense of nostalgia and longing for a time when things were simpler. The mention of the year 1956 suggests a desire to 'go back in time' to a period that was perceived as less complicated. The lyrics mention an old movie and a person with a 'native vibe,' hinting at a longing for simpler times and simpler problems.
The chorus repeatedly emphasizes the phrase "I thought I'd learnt from my mistakes" and highlights the singer's frustration with their lack of progress. It suggests that despite all their experiences, they are still making the same mistakes and are struggling to learn from them. The song ends on a hopeful note of moving on, suggesting that while the singer might continue to struggle, there is still room for growth and change.
Line by Line Meaning
You know I do my best thinking when I’m flying down the bridge.
When I'm driving down the bridge, I am at my most creative and come up with my best ideas.
Humming to myself and kicking up my kicks
I am singing to myself and enjoying the feeling of freedom as I drive.
? have to ? for my life
I have to drive defensively and be alert to avoid danger.
I hope I won’t crush like another summer,
I hope to avoid accidents like the one I had last summer.
I’m back on the bridge was just a wooden half,
I am back on the same bridge that was once only half constructed.
? like he said it was back in 56.
The bridge is reminiscent of how it looked in 1956.
I thought I’d learnt from my mistakes,
I believed that I had learned from my past errors.
I thought he’d learnt from my mistakes,
I assumed that the person I am with had learned from observing my mistakes.
I thought you’d give me the right advice,
I expected that someone would give me helpful guidance for my situation.
I thought he let me in for one last time.
I believed that the person I am involved with would allow me one final opportunity.
? like an old time movie,
My experience feels like something from an old-fashioned film.
? she’s got kind of a native vibe before that was so cool
She has a unique character and style that was trendy before it was mainstream.
She’s got kind of a native vibe before I knew who was who
Her unique style was established before the popularity of similar fashion and culture.
And he's ignoring me like it's 2001.
He is blatantly disregarding me and my feelings, as if it's the year 2001 before we knew each other.
Why keep time travelling if it doesn’t get better on me?
Why bother reminiscing on the past and trying to relive it, when it's not improving my current situation?
A second time move on,
I need to move forward and not make the same mistakes again.
On another Sunday morning,
On a typical Sunday morning,
Carrying umbrella, and talking on the phone!
Holding an umbrella and chatting on the phone.
? cut my hand and my knees.
I have injured my hand and knees somehow.
? from California and I swear, I swear they’re here!
I met someone from California and I am convinced they are still around somehow.
I swear they saved my life!
I am certain that person played a significant role in my life and future.
I thought I’d learnt from my mistakes,
I believed that I had learned from my past errors. (Repeated chorus)
I thought he’d learnt from my mistakes,
I assumed that the person I am with had learned from observing my mistakes. (Repeated chorus)
I thought you’d give me the right advice,
I expected that someone would give me helpful guidance for my situation. (Repeated chorus)
I thought he let me in for one last time.
I believed that the person I am involved with would allow me one final opportunity. (Repeated chorus)
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: ELEANOR FRIEDBERGER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Fdwiey blkrat
Shocked that this tune isn't getting the recognition it deserves. It's a fantastic tune.
Matthew Jury
So true
larry pickleman
i will always love this song forever and ever
roydagger
Eleanor's has one of those timelessly cool voices.
Plus, she is so beautiful!!
Christopher Georgakis
Love the 'waiting on a friend' stones vibe. Sax solo and all.
Christopher Ryan
Omg that’s EXACTLY what I thought too!
Moostafa
Solid tennis skills, Ms. Eleanor.
Bernard A
Pure pop perfection
baileyoski
Can't get enough of this song!
Manu Ginobilis Bald Spot
I freakin' LOVE this song. Have from the first moment I heard it.