A good break-down and re-transition too...
Elevate Myself
Grandaddy Lyrics
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On writing songs that make the young girls cry
Or playing little solos on the keyboard
So the kids will ask me how and why
I just want to, I just want to
I just want to elevate myself
I just want to, I just want to
And maybe for a little
Get to where I find it really hard to hate myself
I just want to, I just want to
I just want to elevate myself
I don't want to stare at stacks of paper all the while
While the world goes by
Tradin' out the weather for a clever lyric
Written by an IKEA light
I just want to, I just want to
I just want to elevate myself
I just want to, I just want to
I just want to elevate myself
And maybe for a little
Get to where I find it really hard to hate myself
I just want to, I just want to
I just want to get up off the shelf
I don't want to be a part of all the quality that falls apart these days
I'd rather make an honest sound
And watch it fly around
And then be on my way
I just want to, I just want to
I just want to elevate myself
I just want to, I just want to
I just want to elevate myself
And maybe for a little
Get to where I find it really hard to hate myself
I just want to, I just want to
I just want to, I just want to
I just want to, I just want to
I just want to, I just want to
I just want to, I just want to
I just want to elevate myself
The song "Elevate Myself" by Grandaddy is a thoughtful reflection on the pressures and expectations of being a musician. The lyrics express a desire to break free from the cycle of trying to write commercially successful songs or perform flashy solos to impress people. The singer wants to focus on personal growth and self-improvement, without worrying about external validation.
The first stanza sets the tone for the song by stating that the singer doesn't want to work all night and day on writing songs that just make young girls cry or playing fancy keyboard solos to impress kids. These lyrics suggest that the usual standards of success in the music industry (such as popularity and technical skill) don't bring the singer much satisfaction. The repeated refrain of "I just want to elevate myself" emphasizes the desire to transcend these limitations and reach a higher level of personal fulfillment.
The second stanza continues this theme by contrasting the mundanity of staring at stacks of paper with the richness of experiencing the world around us. The line "trading out the weather for a clever lyric written by an IKEA light" implies that there's something artificial about trying to manufacture inspiration through contrived songwriting techniques. Instead, the singer wants to create an honest sound that can stand on its own without gimmicks.
Overall, "Elevate Myself" is a poignant meditation on the struggle to balance artistic integrity with the demands of the music industry. It suggests that true fulfillment comes not from external validation, but from personal growth and self-acceptance.
Line by Line Meaning
I don't want to work all night and day
I don't want to exhaust myself by working tirelessly day and night
On writing songs that make the young girls cry
I don't want to write shallow songs that only appeal to young girls' emotions
Or playing little solos on the keyboard
I don't want to play simple keyboard solos just to impress kids who ask me how and why
So the kids will ask me how and why
I don't want to do things just to impress children who don't understand the true value of music
I just want to, I just want to
All I really want is to
I just want to elevate myself
Improve myself both musically and personally
And maybe for a little
If possible
Get to where I find it really hard to hate myself
Get to a level where I can appreciate myself and my work, and not feel self-loathing
I don't want to stare at stacks of paper all the while
I don't want to be bogged down by endless paperwork
While the world goes by
While life passes me by
Tradin' out the weather for a clever lyric
I don't want to sacrifice genuine emotion and meaning for catchy song lyrics
Written by an IKEA light
Written under the influence of a cheap, mundane light source
I just want to get up off the shelf
I want to break free from being seen as a disposable, mass-produced artist
I don't want to be a part of all the quality that falls apart these days
I don't want to contribute to the low standards of modern music that quickly crumbles apart
I'd rather make an honest sound
I'd rather create music that is truthful and genuine
And watch it fly around
And see it spread widely and have an impact
And then be on my way
And then move on to the next project without hesitation
Lyrics © DOMINO PUBLISHING COMPANY
Written by: JASON LYTLE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind