Fireflies
Fireflies Lyrics

You would not believe your eyes
The singer wants the listener to know of something amazing that might seem difficult to accept

If ten million fireflies
Refers to the large number of fireflies present, making it something special, worth noting and enjoying

Lit up the world as I fell asleep
The singer describes the event happening as they fell asleep and the light of the fireflies had a soothing effect

′Cause they'd fill the open air
The presence of fireflies is described to create a lively atmosphere where they would be able to roam freely

And leave teardrops everywhere
Refers to the trail of light left by fireflies, it’s an acknowledgement of the beauty created by their presence

You'd think me rude
The singer acknowledges that the sight of fireflies might make the singer unaware of social norms and seem rude to other people

But I would just stand and stare
The singer describes their experience with the fireflies, suggesting that they feel mesmerized by their light and want to enjoy it as long as possible

I'd like to make myself believe
The artist admits to wanting to believe in something even if it's not exactly true

That planet Earth turns slowly
The artist imagines a version of Earth that is peaceful and subtle, a place not easily noticeable by the human eye

It's hard to say that I'd rather stay
The artist admits that they have trouble deciding what they'd rather do in a given situation

Awake when I'm asleep
The singer acknowledges a preference in not wasting time and sleeps when they get tired, and exploring their dream world can bring more enjoyment

'Cause everything is never as it seems
The artist acknowledges that even though there's a lot of wonder on the Earth, it holds many secrets and nothing should be taken at face value

′Cause I'd get a thousand hugs
The singer describes the sensation of fireflies as a warm embrace

From ten thousand lightning bugs
Acknowledging the presence of many fireflies, representing a wonder of sorts on its own

As they tried to teach me how to dance
The singer carries on describing the fireflies as lively and playful while they fireflies try to teach the singer how to enjoy the moment

A foxtrot above my head
The artist tries to engage the listener in their dream world, describing the different ways in which fireflies interact with them

A sock hop beneath my bed
Describing how the fireflies have made a new world for themselves in the mind of the artist

A disco ball is just hanging by a thread
Describing the showy nature of the firefly ball as something that can be easily disrupted

Leave my door open just a crack
The singer wants to leave their door slightly open to invite wonder and enchantment into their life

(Please take me away from here)
The artist is indicating that their current environment is not adequate for their imagination and that they would prefer to escape to their dream world

′Cause I feel like such an insomniac
The artist acknowledges that they have difficulty in falling asleep or paying attention to their inner world due to other factors affecting their life

Why do I tire of counting sheep
The artist wants to criticize the common therapy method of counting sheep when one cannot sleep

When I'm far too tired to fall asleep
Acknowledging the irony of the situation, as it represents a wish to enjoy the benefits of sleep and dreams but not being able to physically or mentally engage it

To ten million fireflies
The artist acknowledges the vast number of fireflies and how each one of them plays a role in creating the magical experience

I'm weird 'cause I hate goodbyes
The singer acknowledges that their preference in enjoying their dream world might seem strange to others who do not share this imaginary world

I got misty eyes as they said farewell
The singer conveys a sense of longing or sadness after leaving their imaginary world

But I'll know where several are
The singer acknowledges that even after saying goodbye to their world, they carry the memories with them

If my dreams get real bizarre
The artist acknowledges that their experiences in their inner world might feel overwhelming or confusing at times

′Cause I saved a few and I keep them in a jar
The artist acknowledges that they hold onto memories of their imaginary world to relive the experience even when they're not there physically

Because my dreams are bursting at the seams
The singer implies that they have a lot of creative energy in their dreams, and it’s almost hard to contain this energy making it impossible to not want to explore it every chance they get