What You Are
Frontier Ruckus Lyrics
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If only you knew what you are
Our grandfather was a soldier
Now I am older, I know what homes are for
Worried homes have walls
They absorb old phone calls
They spit warm laundry smoke to the cold
But to be a father I must
Take my life and solder
All my neighborhoods of night
To you
You were born into
A pitch-black-nighttime-window-view
The brightest blindin' moon came through
A-shinin'
That old moon had cold cold feet
Over long-gone lawns and streets
But none of those better days do need
Remindin'
You are growing cold and lonely
If only you knew what you are
If only you knew what you are
The opening lines of Frontier Ruckus's song, "What You Are," introduces the theme of loneliness and presents a wishful thinking in the hopes that the subject knew the depth of their identity. The first verse of the song also references the subject's grandfather, who was a soldier, serving as a metaphor for a figure who had to represent strength, honor, and resilience during war. This verse highlights how the subject is growing "cold and lonely," leaving them in a vulnerable position. In the second verse, the lyrics shift focus to the idea of home being a source of comfort and security to a father who desires to provide warmth, tenderness, and a stable environment for their children. By "soldering" their "neighborhoods of night" to their family, the father implies that he is willing to make sacrifices to create a refuge from life's hardships.
The chorus repeats the same phrase, "If only you knew what you are," highlighting the misplaced self-doubt and confusion of the subject's perception of their self-worth. The final verse brings the song full circle, describing the subject's birth and the contrast between the darkness of the city sky and the brightness of the moon, indicating that even in the darkest of times, hope still shines. The last lines emphasize this idea, saying, "But none of those better days do need reminding." Thus, the song "What You Are" can be interpreted as a reminder to the subject that they have the strength to combat their fears and insecurities and remember who they are.
Line by Line Meaning
You are growing cold and lonely
You are becoming emotionally distant and isolated
If only you knew what you are
If only you understood your own identity and purpose
Our grandfather was a soldier
Our ancestor served as a military member
Now I am older, I know what homes are for
As I have aged, I have come to understand the true meaning and value of a home
Worried homes have walls
Houses that are ridden with anxiety and fear have physical barriers
They absorb old phone calls
They retain the memories and emotions associated with past conversations
They spit warm laundry smoke to the cold
They release the comforting scent of freshly washed clothes into the chilly air
Backyards
Outdoor spaces located behind the house
But to be a father I must
However, in order to become a parent, it is necessary for me to
Take my life and solder
Invest time and effort to strengthen myself as a person
All my neighborhoods of night
All of the darkest periods and challenges I have faced
To you
For your benefit and well-being
You were born into
You came into this world experiencing
A pitch-black-nighttime-window-view
The perspective of gazing out of a completely dark window during the night
The brightest blindin' moon came through
Despite the darkness, the moon shone immensely bright
A-shinin'
Radiating light
That old moon had cold cold feet
The moon was so chilly that it seemed to possess cold feet
Over long-gone lawns and streets
Above distant yards and roads that no longer exist in their original state
But none of those better days do need
However, it is unnecessary to reminisce on those joyous moments from the past
Remindin'
Being called to mind again
You are growing cold and lonely
You are becoming emotionally distant and isolated
If only you knew what you are
If only you understood your own identity and purpose
If only you knew what you are
If only you understood your own identity and purpose
Contributed by Jake B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.