Faces On Film
Jacob Whitesides Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

I didn't know you were an actor
Played every part
Climbed up the ladder
Taking your time
Taking the longer way

But they took your life
From you, sign those papers
I couldn't help, I couldn't save ya
They wrote the lines
They thought you should say

If I could hide you under my cape
Tuck you away in my suitcase
When you get tired of being alone
Anywhere but here is home
It's not in your deal
When you say when I will
Leave behind the world
Faces on film

My favorite scenes are when you're escaping
Finding a place you could be safe in
Hiding your eyes
Cover them with your hair

You follow the road
You know where it's winding
You do what your told
Or you truly deciding
Tells me your part
That we had to find a way

If I could hide you under my cape
Tuck you away in my suitcase
When you get tired of being alone
Anywhere but here is home
It's not in your deal
When you say when I will
Leave behind the world
Faces on film

If I could hide you under my cape
Tuck you away in my suitcase
When you get tired of being alone
Anywhere but here is home
It's not in your deal
If you're so good, I fear
It's the underneath that's real




Let's leave behind the world
Faces on film

Overall Meaning

The song "Faces on Film" by Jacob Whitesides explores the idea of a person living a double life as an actor. The opening lines suggest that the singer did not know this person was an actor and marvels at how they played every part, climbed up the ladder and took their time, taking the longer way. However, they also recognize that the person has paid a heavy price for their success and fame, as evidenced by the lines "But they took your life/From you, sign those papers/I couldn't help, I couldn't save ya/They wrote the lines/They thought you should say."


The singer's empathy and desire to protect this person is clear in the chorus when they sing "If I could hide you under my cape/Tuck you away in my suitcase/When you get tired of being alone/Anywhere but here is home." They acknowledge that the person's life is not easy, and they are constantly on the move, living out of suitcases, and always alone. The singer's offer to take this person away from it all is a testament to their love and devotion.


The singer's admiration for this person's talent and their ability to escape and find a place to be safe is highlighted in the lines "My favorite scenes are when you're escaping/Finding a place you could be safe in/Hiding your eyes/Cover them with your hair." The lyrics suggest that this person is not just an actor, but also someone who is trying to escape the pressures of their life and find a way to be themselves.


Overall, "Faces on Film" is a poignant and heartfelt song about the sacrifices that people make in pursuit of fame and success, and the toll it takes on their personal lives.


Line by Line Meaning

I didn't know you were an actor
I was unaware of your profession as an actor


Played every part
You have portrayed a variety of characters


Climbed up the ladder
You have advanced in your career


Taking your time
You are moving at a pace that is comfortable to you


Taking the longer way
You choose to take the path that may be more difficult but is worth it in the end


But they took your life
The industry has consumed your existence


From you, sign those papers
You were obligated to sign agreements that don't benefit you


I couldn't help, I couldn't save ya
I couldn't prevent the harm that you have experienced


They wrote the lines
The script was not written by you


They thought you should say
The lines were written to achieve someone else's objectives


If I could hide you under my cape
If I could shield you from the difficulties


Tuck you away in my suitcase
If I could keep you safe and take you away from your struggles


When you get tired of being alone
When the loneliness becomes too much to bear


Anywhere but here is home
Anywhere away from the harsh industry is a safe haven


It's not in your deal
It wasn't part of the agreement


When you say when I will
When you have control


Leave behind the world
Leave behind the industry


Faces on film
The industry's obsession with false imagery


My favorite scenes are when you're escaping
The most memorable moments are those when you break free from the industry


Finding a place you could be safe in
Creating a sanctuary where you can finally relax and be yourself


Hiding your eyes
The pain and struggle is evident in your eyes


Cover them with your hair
Don't let the pain be visible


You follow the road
You are following the established path


You know where it's winding
You know where it will lead


You do what your told
You follow instructions


Or you truly deciding
Or you making your own choices


Tells me your part
It's clear what role you play in the industry


That we had to find a way
We have to figure out how to escape the industry's grasp


If you're so good, I fear
If you're talented, I'm worried


It's the underneath that's real
Your true self is obscured by the false image projected onto the screen


Let's leave behind the world
Let's escape from the industry


Faces on film
The industry's fixation on outward appearance




Contributed by Kaylee K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Comments from YouTube:

Tommy

Heard this song accidentally. It is the most beautiful song ever.

Soph

he's amazing.
if you have the chance to see him live, don't even hesitate to buy tickets. i saw him in portugal one week ago and it was amazing and very emotional

Kelsey Smith

I have tickets to his concert in Seattle + VIP meet and greet passes!! I'm so excited!!!! 😁😁😁😃😃😃

Soph

Kes Thurber holy shit have fuuuun!

Kelsey Smith

+Soph Brooks I will!!!! 😁😁😁

park jaehyung best boy

I've seen him twice. Buying tickets was the best decision I have ever made

David Rees

The new John Mayer

Kelsey Smith

Yas

Travis_Redfern

+David Rees Lets not jump to conclusions here... I'de have to hear an amazing guitar solo before I'de say that, but he definelty has talent for being so young

Adelyn Salvador

This gave me chills + eargasm. 😭😭💗💗💗 LOVE YOU SO MUCH JACOB.

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