New Year's Eve
First Aid Kit Lyrics


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Well it's a new year, with it comes more than new fears.
Met a young man who was in tears, he asked me,
"What induces us to stay here?"
I said, "I don't know much and I'm not lying,
But I think you just have to keep on trying."

And I know I am naive, but if anything
That's what's going to save me
That's what's going to save me

Took a stroll around the neighborhood where the trees are swaying.
People passed in cars with their windows down, with a pop song playing.
A man walked by, walking back and forth the street with a drunken smile to go along.
He stopped to look at me and say, "Child, don't fear doing things wrong."

Yet I am still afraid but if anything
That's what's going to save me
That's what's going to save me

Now I have a lot to learn and I'm starting tonight,
Got to stop looking at things like they're black and they're white.
Got to write more songs of a little more, treat my friends better.
Got to stop worrying about everything to the letter.
And sometimes when it's too hard to get up,
It just might be a little call apart.

But I find it hard to believe, but if anything
That's what's going to save me
That's what's going to save me





Tell me, tell me
Oh, what's going to save me?

Overall Meaning

The song "New Year's Eve" by First Aid Kit is a reflective piece about the apprehension and uncertainty that comes with the start of a new year. The lyrics open with a focus on fresh fears, setting the tone for the rest of the song. The singer encounters a young man who is distressed and asks why we continue to persist even in difficult times. Instead of offering a concrete answer, the singer suggests that trying is the only way to keep going.


The second verse paints a scene of the singer walking in a neighborhood and observing people living their lives. The pop song playing in the car provides a sharp contrast with the man stumbling drunk on the street. The man tells the singer not to be afraid of making mistakes, which echoes the earlier sentiment about the importance of trying.


The final verse focuses on the singer's personal goals for the new year. The singer expresses the desire to write more songs and be a better friend while acknowledging the difficulties of always following the rules. The chorus repeats the idea that being naive and afraid might, paradoxically, be what saves the singer. The concluding line, "Tell me, tell me, oh, what's going to save me?" can be interpreted as a plea for guidance or as a rhetorical question emphasizing the theme of uncertainty.


Overall, "New Year's Eve" is a poignant and introspective song that acknowledges the struggle of navigating a complicated world. It touches on themes of fear, trying, and the need for personal growth.


Line by Line Meaning

Well it's a new year, with it comes more than new fears.
A new year brings new challenges and uncertainties alongside it.


Met a young man who was in tears, he asked me, "What induces us to stay here?"
The singer encounters a distraught young man who questions the purpose of existence.


I said, "I don't know much and I'm not lying, But I think you just have to keep on trying."
The singer admits to not having all the answers but encourages the young man to persevere through life's challenges.


And I know I am naive, but if anything That's what's going to save me That's what's going to save me
Despite acknowledging one's own naivety, the artist believes that maintaining a positive outlook will help them overcome obstacles.


Took a stroll around the neighborhood where the trees are swaying. People passed in cars with their windows down, with a pop song playing.
The artist takes a walk through their surroundings and observes the everyday sights and sounds of the world around them.


A man walked by, walking back and forth the street with a drunken smile to go along. He stopped to look at me and say, "Child, don't fear doing things wrong."
A drunken man interrupts the singer's solitude and offers words of wisdom, advising them not to fear mistakes.


Yet I am still afraid but if anything That's what's going to save me That's what's going to save me
Despite being scared, the singer believes that embracing vulnerability will ultimately help them navigate life's challenges.


Now I have a lot to learn and I'm starting tonight, Got to stop looking at things like they're black and they're white. Got to write more songs of a little more, treat my friends better. Got to stop worrying about everything to the letter.
The artist recognizes the need for personal growth and lists specific goals to work on, such as becoming more creative and treating loved ones more kindly.


And sometimes when it's too hard to get up, It just might be a little call apart.
Sometimes when things are particularly challenging, it's okay to take a step back and take care of oneself before trying again.


But I find it hard to believe, but if anything That's what's going to save me That's what's going to save me
Despite feeling doubtful at times, the artist reiterates that the willingness to learn and grow is what will ultimately help them persevere.


Tell me, tell me Oh, what's going to save me?
The singer seeks further guidance and reassurance that they are on the right path towards personal growth and self-improvement.




Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JOHANNA KAJSA S�DERBERG, JOHANNA KAJSA SOEDERBERG, KLARA MARIA S�DERBERG, KLARA MARIA SOEDERBERG

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

Resin Seeds

This is one of the best songs I have heard in many years, just breathtaking

Caity Quinn

Absolutely beautiful. I've loved your music for years and you just keep getting better and better. I love the influence of Joni Mitchell in this one! I'm listening to this over and over as I'm writing a play. So inspiring. 

Mailani McKelvy

I'm watching this on New Year's Eve a day before 2019... what a masterpiece.

Kristoffer

Watching 4 days from 2020

wimbyfan13

this whole album is epic while high. love it

Kristoffer

Pretty damn drunk when epic too!

Chriss Wilburn

this is always on my new year's eve playlist (including the recent transition from 2018 to 2019), but i always put it at the very end because it just paints such a rich, hopeful tone for the rest of the evening (and year)... love these girls, i really feel like they're in tune with the things we all struggle with and they know how to process them through a beautiful artform. thank you for giving me hope this year again, klara and johanna

Lina

really nice and true words. i agree!

Lina

i listen to this song a few minutes before my birthday and im happy to start this day with this song.
i love these girls and their music so much.

hannah zwic

"that's what's going to save me..."
it really seems like it's written on/for New Year's Eve; the beginning of the year, looking at the stars maybe, sitting on a roof, or seeing the first light of dawn come in... inspiration, quiet hope, taking on a challenge. it's still cold outside, but it's the New Year.

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