Albums:
Return of the Frog Queen (1996)
The End Sessions (1996)
World Waits (2006)
The Missing Link (2007)
OK Bear (2009)
Ghosts (2017)
Make Believe
Jeremy Enigk Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Another solitary space
You take a picture there
Hoping they won't stop to look inside
And as I stand here with this face
Words just don't flow as they should
In all that I have been
Oh
There is more about you
Than all the cameras see
There is more
Another solitary space
They'll beat you at the marketplace
They're taking pictures
They're hoping they can catch a glimpse of proof
Into another part of town
Turning wheels to meet the ground
When you look long enough
Your words and explanations die
You change
There is more about you
Than all the cameras see
Once they begin to doubt you
It's make believe, make believe
Make believe made
The lyrics to Jeremy Enigk's song Make Believe explore themes of identity and authenticity in a world where people are constantly creating false personas for themselves. The opening lines introduce the idea of being in a "crazy state of mind" in a "solitary space," indicating a feeling of alienation and disconnection from others. The mention of taking a picture and hoping no one looks inside suggests a fear of being exposed or seen for who they truly are.
The second verse continues this theme of struggling to express oneself authentically, with the singer admitting that their words just don't flow as they should. They express frustration with their own lack of proof or substance, feeling as though they don't really amount to much. The chorus serves as a reminder that there is more to a person than what can be seen on the surface, and that we should not judge others based solely on what we can capture with a camera.
The final verse describes a journey to a new part of town, where the singer feels as though they are changing and transforming in some way. However, they also recognize that when you try to explain yourself for too long, your words will eventually lose their meaning. The song ends on the repetition of "make believe," driving home the idea that many people are unable or unwilling to be their true selves, instead choosing to put on a façade or act out a role.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm in a crazy state of mind
I'm feeling unstable and confused
Another solitary space
I'm alone again in a place with nobody else around
You take a picture there
You capture the moment with a photograph
Hoping they won't stop to look inside
Wishing that no one will scrutinize what's beneath the surface
And as I stand here with this face
As I present myself with this expression
Words just don't flow as they should
I struggle to find the right thing to say
In all that I have been
Despite everything that has happened to me
I don't amount to much without the proof
I feel insignificant without tangible evidence of my worth
There is more about you
You're more complex and nuanced than what meets the eye
Than all the cameras see
There's more to you than the images that are captured
Another solitary space
Once again, I'm left all alone
They'll beat you at the marketplace
Others will outdo you in the public eye
They're taking pictures
They're documenting the moment
They're hoping they can catch a glimpse of proof
They want to capture evidence that supports their beliefs
Into another part of town
Venturing into an unfamiliar neighborhood
Turning wheels to meet the ground
Driving slowly as if searching for something
When you look long enough
After enough time passes
Your words and explanations die
You become unable to articulate what you mean
You change
You transform or become different
Once they begin to doubt you
When they begin to question your credibility
It's make believe, make believe
It's all pretend or imaginary
Make believe made
Fiction that's been created
Contributed by Callie A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.