Don't Let Our Youth Go to Waste
Galaxie 500 Lyrics


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I need to walk by the flowers, with someone who can share my face
And it looks like no one can take your place
And I could bleed in sympathy with you
On those days
And I could drink up everything you have
Don't let it go to waste

I could give you memories
To rival Berlin in the Thirties
I understand your dating bar ways
And I could bleed in sympathy with you
On those days
And I could drink up everything you have
Don't let it go to waste

Say something warm, say something nice
I can't stand to see you when you're cold
Nor can I stand being out of your life
And I could bleed in sympathy with you
On those days
And I could drink up everything you have





Don't let our youth go to waste

Overall Meaning

Galaxie 500's "Don't Let Our Youth Go to Waste" is a melancholic, dreamy love song that speaks to the need for human connection and the fear of losing a loved one. The opening lines of the song, "I need to walk by the flowers, with someone who can share my face," convey a longing for companionship, a desire to share experiences with another person. The singer suggests that the person they're addressing is irreplaceable, using the line, "And it looks like no one can take your place," to imply that nobody could fulfill this desire for connection quite like this person.


Throughout the song, the singer offers themselves up to be a sympathetic presence in the person's life. They say they could "bleed in sympathy with you," indicating that they understand the person's struggles and pains, and want to be there for them. The repeated line, "And I could drink up everything you have, don't let it go to waste," speaks to the idea that they want to take in everything about the person, revel in their presence, and not let any of it slip away.


The final line of the song, "Don't let our youth go to waste," emphasizes the urgency of the longing for connection expressed throughout the song. The singer seems to be warning the person not to let time pass them by without taking advantage of the chance to be together and share in all life has to offer.


Overall, "Don't Let Our Youth Go to Waste" is a hauntingly beautiful song that speaks to the universal desire for human connection and the sadness that comes with the fear of losing it.


Line by Line Meaning

I need to walk by the flowers, with someone who can share my face
I want to experience the beauty of nature with someone who understands me and my thoughts.


And it looks like no one can take your place
You are irreplaceable and there's no one like you.


And I could bleed in sympathy with you On those days And I could drink up everything you have Don't let it go to waste
I can feel your pain and be there for you when you need support, and I value everything that you are and have to offer.


I could give you memories To rival Berlin in the Thirties I understand your dating bar ways
I have the ability to create unforgettable experiences for you, and I comprehend your ways of seeking romance.


Say something warm, say something nice I can't stand to see you when you're cold Nor can I stand being out of your life
Express your affection for me and don't distance yourself from our relationship.


Don't let our youth go to waste
We should make the most of our youth and not let it slip away without living life to the fullest.




Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing, MODERN LOVE SONGS
Written by: JONATHAN MICHAEL RICHMAN, Jonathan Richman

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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