Sometimes
Good Riddance Lyrics


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When it's time to start working to reconstruct
A life programmed to self-destruct
When it's time to set your sights on something better
When all that you've known
Is the emptiness of being alone
When friends start drifting away

sometimes
It's better to let go
It only hurts to hold on to time worn memories
Sometimes
It's never what is seems
It only serves to break your will

I had a dream last night
That you and I got in a fight
I never meant to hurt you
But I guess it ended up that way
We went our separate ways
And I stayed mad for six whole days
That's when I realized when I'm alone
I'm in bad company

I want to help you
But you've got to want to help yourself
I don't want to bury another friend
I take it day by day and watch the people I love just fade away




Where's the good in this?
Whatever happened to you?

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Good Riddance's song "Sometimes" convey a message of self-reflection and introspection. The song speaks of a time when one realizes that their life is headed in the wrong direction and they need to make a change. The first verse talks about the need to reconstruct a life that was programmed to self-destruct. This could refer to a number of issues, such as addiction or a destructive behaviour pattern that has become ingrained. The lyrics suggest that it is time to let go of memories that hold one back and embrace a new direction. The line "When all that you've known is the emptiness of being alone" speaks to the loneliness and despair that often come with addiction or other destructive behaviours.


The chorus emphasizes the need to let go of the past and the pain that comes with it. "Sometimes it's better to let go, it only hurts to hold on to time worn memories" suggests that the memories of the past may be painful or even harmful, and it is better to let them go. Meanwhile, "Sometimes it's never what it seems, it only serves to break your will" speaks to the idea that holding on to the past can be limiting and disheartening.


The second verse speaks more directly about the theme of addiction and the toll it takes on relationships. The singer has a dream in which they fight with a friend and realize that they are in bad company when they are alone. The lyrics then suggest that the singer has tried to help their friend but ultimately, the friend must want to help themselves. The final line, "Where's the good in this? Whatever happened to you?" speaks to the idea that addiction and destructive behaviour can sometimes seem like an enigma, with no clear reason or solution.


Overall, the lyrics to "Sometimes" encourage listeners to take a hard look at their lives and make the necessary changes to move forward. It suggests that memories and behaviours that are holding one back should be left behind, and that it is ultimately up to individuals to help themselves.


Line by Line Meaning

When it's time to start working to reconstruct
It's time to put in the effort to rebuild a life that has been destined for destruction.


A life programmed to self-destruct
A life that is set up for failure and unhappiness.


When it's time to set your sights on something better
It's time to aim for a better life and future.


When all that you've known
When everything that you have experienced and known,


Is the emptiness of being alone
Is the feeling of loneliness and emptiness.


When friends start drifting away
When close friends begin to distance themselves from you.


sometimes
Occasionally,


It's better to let go
It's better to move on and let things go,


It only hurts to hold on to time worn memories
Keeping old memories can be painful and prevent you from moving forward.


Sometimes
Occasionally,


It's never what is seems
Things aren't always or usually what they appear to be.


It only serves to break your will
It can only weaken or even break you down.


I had a dream last night
I had a dream recently,


That you and I got in a fight
That we were at odds with each other.


I never meant to hurt you
I didn't intend to cause you pain,


But I guess it ended up that way
But that's how it went.


We went our separate ways
We parted and went our different paths.


And I stayed mad for six whole days
I remained angry for a full six days.


That's when I realized when I'm alone
That's when I came to understand that when I'm by myself,


I'm in bad company
I'm not in a good place.


I want to help you
I desire to help you,


But you've got to want to help yourself
But you must also want to help yourself.


I don't want to bury another friend
I don't want to lose another friend to tragedy.


I take it day by day and watch the people I love just fade away
I handle things one day at a time and watch the people I care about slowly slip away from me.


Where's the good in this?
What's the benefit in all of this?


Whatever happened to you?
What has happened to you recently?




Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing
Written by: RUSS RANKIN

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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