What is life
Ellen Sundberg Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

What Is Life

Think I'm gonna go down and get the car keys
Think I'm gonna go downstairs and maybe get the car keys
Think I'm gonna find some solace in streets
Think I'm gonna go down now and get my car keys

To lock myself in or lock myself out
I don't know which way to turn

What is life
What is life
What is life
What is life

365 days and here I am again
Here I am again breaking the childhood's chains
But I'll leave the door open if you feel like coming back
Yes I'll leave the door slightly open if you feel like coming back

Open or closed loved or not
I don't know which way to run

What is life
What is life
What is life
What is life

The swallows almost hit me in their fast and hastily flight
I don't know if anyone would miss me if I hid myself for a while
The island leaves me wondering about everything I know
The trails and roots and cold winds and everything I know
I follow myself running the route I sometimes run
Where I always find myself thinking about everything I haven't done
What is true love
Is there any true love
What is true love

What is life
What is life




What is life
What is life

Overall Meaning

Ellen Sundberg's "What Is Life" is a reflective song about the complicated nature of existence. The lyrics express the singer's confusion and frustration with life as she contemplates whether she should lock herself in or out, run away, or leave the door open if someone comes back. The repetition of the question "What is life" emphasizes the singer's helplessness in dealing with her situation, and her desire to understand the true meaning of existence. The swallows are used as a metaphor for the speed and urgency of life, while the island and roots represent the singer's search for meaning and understanding.


The lyrics of the song are very personal and introspective, focusing on the inner struggles of the singer. The repetition of the question "What is life" underscores the singer's desire to find meaning in a seemingly chaotic and unpredictable world. The use of metaphors and imagery throughout the song creates a vivid picture of the singer's inner emotional landscape.


Line by Line Meaning

Think I'm gonna go down and get the car keys
I want to leave and get away from my current situation.


Think I'm gonna find some solace in streets
I think I will find comfort and peace outside.


To lock myself in or lock myself out I don't know which way to turn
I am indecisive about whether to stay in my current situation or leave it behind.


What is life
What does it all mean, what is the point of living?


365 days and here I am again
Another year went by and I am still stuck in the same place.


But I'll leave the door open if you feel like coming back
I will leave a small opportunity for those who have left to come back into my life.


Open or closed loved or not I don't know which way to run
I am lost and unsure about whether to move forward or go back.


The swallows almost hit me in their fast and hastily flight
I noticed the fast-paced movement of birds and it made me think about the pace of my own life.


I don't know if anyone would miss me if I hid myself for a while
I feel uncertain about the value I bring to others' lives.


The island leaves me wondering about everything I know
Being alone in nature makes me reflect on the things I thought I knew.


I follow myself running the route I sometimes run
I am trying to escape my troubles by doing what I always do.


Where I always find myself thinking about everything I haven't done
I am haunted by the things I have not accomplished.


What is true love Is there any true love
I am questioning the reality of love and its existence.




Writer(s): Ellen Sundberg

Contributed by Callie E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found

More Versions