I Didn't Understand
Elliott Smith/Elliot Smith Lyrics
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Put out and put away
And so you'd soon be leaving me alone like I'm supposed to be tonight
Tomorrow and everyday
There's nothing here that you'll miss
I can guarantee you this is a cloud of smoke
Trying to occupy space
What a fucking joke
I waited for a bus to separate the both of us and take me off far away
From you 'cause my feelings never change a bit I always feel like shit I
Don't know why I guess that I \"just do\"
You once talked to me about love and you painted pictures of
A never-neverland and I could've gone to that place
But I didn't understand
I didn't understand
I didn't understand
"I Didn't Understand" is a melancholic interpretation of the aftermath of a breakup. The song speaks to the disappointment and confusion that comes with a relationship ending. The opening lines set the scene of the singer's partner moving on while they are left behind, feeling discarded and ignored. The song then delves into the singer's inner monologue, as they try to come to terms with the unrequited love they still feel for their former lover. In the second verse, the singer looks back on a conversation they had with their ex about love, and how they painted a picture of an idyllic, fantasy-like world. The singer laments that they could have gone to that place with their partner, but ultimately they didn't understand what their ex was trying to convey to them.
Line by Line Meaning
Thought you'd be looking for the next in line to love then ignore
I thought you'd be seeking another person to love and then discard, without giving it any care or thought.
Put out and put away
Treating someone as if they were no longer desired, crumpled up and thrown away.
And so you'd soon be leaving me alone like I'm supposed to be tonight
You would leave me alone, as if that was the natural thing to do.
Tomorrow and everyday
This behavior would continue on a daily basis.
There's nothing here that you'll miss
I am certain you won't miss anything here.
I can guarantee you this is a cloud of smoke
My presence is as insubstantial and fleeting as smoke in the air.
Trying to occupy space
Still, I am here, trying to occupy some kind of space in your world.
What a fucking joke
It's ridiculous and absurd.
What a fucking joke
It's ridiculous and absurd.
I waited for a bus to separate the both of us and take me off far away
I waited for a bus to separate us and take me far away from you.
From you 'cause my feelings never change a bit
I need to be away from you because my feelings for you never changed.
I always feel like shit I don't know why I guess that I "just do"
I consistently feel terrible, and for no apparent reason.
You once talked to me about love and you painted pictures of
You spoke of love and painted vivid imagery in my mind.
A never-neverland and I could've gone to that place
A place of unattainable bliss, which seemed so possible at the time.
But I didn't understand
I could not comprehend it, nor was I ever able to.
I didn't understand
I could not comprehend it, nor was I ever able to.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Steven Paul Smith
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind