Arm's Length Away
Izaak Opatz Lyrics
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On this lonely gravel road
I was gonna call you just to say
I regret letting you go
I guess I’ll say it to the wind instead
And let all my regrets get blown
Oh, thank god, there’s no service here
On this lonely gravel road
Oh, thank god, the internet’s down
When I get home from the bar
I was gonna send you an email
About making a brand new start
I guess I’ll drag it to the trash instead
Where it can’t do any harm
Oh, thank god, the internet’s down
When I get home from the bar
Because there used to be love between us
And now there’s just things we can’t say
And there are good reasons, though I sometimes forget them
That you’re not an arm’s length away
Oh, thank god, it’s Sunday
And the post office is closed
I was gonna send you a letter
Telling you to come home
I’ll save a stamp and save myself
The trouble of raising my hopes
Oh, thank god, it’s Sunday
And the post office is closed
Because there used to be love between us
And now there’s just things we can’t say
And there are good reasons, though I sometimes forget them
That you’re not an arm’s length away
Oh, thank god, my bike got stolen
And I forgot to fill up the car
I was gonna go just knock on your door
And tell you I’ve been thinking hard
I guess I’ll stay home and just think some more
Until the future shows its cards
Oh, thank god, my bike got stolen
And I forgot to fill up the car
The song, "Arm's Length Away" by Izaak Opatz talks about a failed relationship and the frustration that comes from not being able to express what one is feeling. The lyrics express the desire to reach out to a former lover, but the inability to do so due to different circumstances. Opatz shows gratitude for these circumstances, whether it is a lack of service, the internet being down or the post office being closed, as they prevent him from making a move that could perpetuate his heartbreak. The refrain of the song, "Because there used to be love between us, and now there's just things we can't say," represents the emotional distance that has come between the two people.
The first verse of the song mentions a lonely gravel road with no service, showing how a lack of connectivity and an opportunity to impulsively reach out can be a good thing. The second verse talks about the internet being down and how it may have prevented the person from sending an email they would later regret. The third verse describes how the post office is closed, giving the singer no opportunity to send a letter and raise their hopes. Finally, the fourth verse mentions that the singer's bike got stolen and they forgot to fill up the car, which once again prevents them from making impulsive actions.
Overall, "Arm's Length Away" is a song about the realities of a failed relationship, the emotions that come with it, and the importance of distance in healing.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh, thank god, there’s no service here
Expressing relief that there is no cell phone service on this gravel road
On this lonely gravel road
Stating where the singer is currently located
I was gonna call you just to say
Plans to call a former lover
I regret letting you go
Feeling remorse for breaking up with said lover
I guess I’ll say it to the wind instead
Choosing to speak his regrets to nature instead of the former lover
And let all my regrets get blown
Metaphorically releasing his regrets to the elements
Oh, thank god, the internet’s down
Expressing relief that the internet is not functioning
When I get home from the bar
Indicating where the artist will be upon returning home
I was gonna send you an email
Plans to compose an email to the former lover
About making a brand new start
Intending to propose starting fresh with the ex-partner
I guess I’ll drag it to the trash instead
Choosing to delete the unsent email instead of sending it
Where it can’t do any harm
Ensuring that the unsent email will not cause any further damage
Because there used to be love between us
Acknowledging the past romantic relationship
And now there’s just things we can’t say
Stating that there are unresolved issues between the two former partners
And there are good reasons, though I sometimes forget them
Reflecting on the reasons why the relationship ended
That you’re not an arm’s length away
Acknowledging the physical distance between the artist and former lover
Oh, thank god, it’s Sunday
Expressing gratitude that it is Sunday
And the post office is closed
Noting that the post office is not open for business
I was gonna send you a letter
Plans to write a letter to the former lover
Telling you to come home
Requesting that the former lover return home
I’ll save a stamp and save myself
Choosing not to send the letter and saving money in the process
The trouble of raising my hopes
Avoiding the disappointment that would come with raising his hopes
Oh, thank god, my bike got stolen
Expressing relief that his bike was stolen
And I forgot to fill up the car
Noting that he also forgot to put gas in the car
I was gonna go just knock on your door
Plans to go to the former lover's house and talk to them
And tell you I’ve been thinking hard
Intending to have a serious conversation about their relationship
I guess I’ll stay home and just think some more
Opting to stay home and reflect on his thoughts instead
Until the future shows its cards
Waiting for the future to reveal what it has in store for their relationship
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Izaak Opatz
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
James Junior
very nice and sweet song! love it 🇧🇷❤
Kevin Drago
Probably my favorite song of 2017
The406Bird
Damn good song!
Gonzalo Garcia-Ordonez
What a great song
Erik Nelson
Seriously blew me away, became my GF and my favorite song for the last 3 months
Lorne Smithson
Fantastic song writing.
Adam Chandler
Great!
Kalin Andrews
Oh my god I had such a huge crush on you for so long! Love the song!
Valida
gorgeous...
Nick Swinehart
My god, those taco faces from 1:03-1:13.