"A Praise Chorus" is a song by Jimmy Eat World. It was the fourth single re… Read Full Bio ↴"A Praise Chorus" is a song by Jimmy Eat World. It was the fourth single released from the band's 2001 album Bleed American, which was later retitled Jimmy Eat World.
With its carpe diem theme, the song has been described as a "celebration of adulthood". After the second stanza, seven songs become the "praise chorus" of the title. The first is sung continuously in the background; the other six are sung over this background-vocal track. During live performances, Tom Linton sings the "Crimson and Clover", while Jim Adkins sings lyrics from the other six songs.
Tommy James and the Shondells - "Crimson and Clover" - "Crimson and clover, over and over", sung continuously in the background.
Madness - "Our House" - "Our house in the middle of the street."
The Promise Ring - "Why Did Ever We Meet" - "Why did we ever meet?"
Bad Company - "Rock 'n' Roll Fantasy" - "Started my rock 'n roll fantasy."
They Might Be Giants - "Don't Let's Start" - "Don't, don't, don't let's start."
The Promise Ring - "All of My Everything" - "Why did we ever part?"
Mötley Crüe - "Kickstart My Heart" - "Kickstart my rock 'n rolling heart."
In the recorded version, they are sung by The Promise Ring's Davey von Bohlen--who is referred to "So come on, Davey, sing me something that I know" in the song. Following recording of the song's demo (which contains none of these songs, but rather a repetition of "Fast action/Come on, come on, come on/Fast action/So what'cha here for"), the band felt that it needed some additional work in the chorus section. They sent the recording to von Bohlen, a friend of the band, and asked him to "Sing [us] something that [we] know".

A Praise Chorus
Jimmy Eat World Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Are you gonna live your life wondering
Standing in the back looking around?
Are you gonna waste your time thinking
How you've grown up
Or how you missed out?

Things are never gonna be the way you want
Where's it gonna get you acting serious?

Things are never gonna be quite what you want
Even at twenty five you gotta start sometime

I'm on my feet
I'm on the floor
I'm good to go
All I need is just to hear a song I know
I wanna always feel like part of this was mine
I wanna fall in love tonight

Are you gonna to live your life
Standing in the back looking around?
Are you gonna waste your time?
Gotta make a move or you'll miss out

Someone's gonna to ask you what it's all about
Stick around nostalgia won't let you down
Someone's gonna to ask you what's it's all about
What are you gonna have to say for yourself?

I'm on my feet
I'm on the floor
I'm good to go
All I need is just to hear a song I know
I wanna always feel like part of this was mine
I wanna fall in love tonight

Crimson and clover, over and over
Crimson and clover, over and over

Our house in the middle of the street (Crimson and clover, over and over)
Why did we ever meet
Start in my rock and roll fantasy (Crimson and clover, over and over)
Don't don't, don't let's star (Crimson and clover, over and over)
Why did we ever part (Crimson and clover, over and over)
Kick start my rock and roll heart (Crimson and clover, over and over)

I'm on my feet
I'm on the floor
I'm good to go

So come on Davey, sing me something that I know
I wanna always feel like part of this was mine
I wanna fall in love tonight (Here, tonight)
I wanna fall in love tonight (Here, tonight)
I wanna always feel like part of this was mine
I wanna fall in love tonight

I wanna fall in love tonight
I wanna fall in love tonight

Overall Meaning

In "A Praise Chorus" by Jimmy Eat World, the lyrics suggest a sense of urgency and the need for action. The first verse appears to criticize those who remain stagnant and don't strive to live their lives to the fullest, while the chorus encourages listeners to embrace life and feel a sense of ownership in the world around them. The lines "All I need is just to hear a song I know" and "I wanna always feel like part of this was mine" indicate that music is a powerful force for connection and personal fulfillment. The second verse emphasizes the idea that those who are stuck in the past will miss out on the present and the opportunities that come with it. The song's use of other famous song lyrics, such as "Crimson and Clover" and "Our house in the middle of the street," conveys a shared cultural history and a desire for belonging.

Overall, "A Praise Chorus" is a call to action to live life to the fullest, to embrace connection through music, and to create a sense of belonging in one's surroundings.

Line by Line Meaning

Are you gonna live your life wondering Standing in the back looking around?
Are you going to waste your life watching from the sidelines, with nothing to show for it?

Are you gonna waste your time thinking How you've grown up Or how you missed out?
Don't waste your time overthinking the past or the future, instead, focus on the present.

Things are never gonna be the way you want Where's it gonna get you acting serious?
Life doesn't always go as planned, so why not take a more relaxed approach?

Things are never gonna be quite what you want Even at twenty five you gotta start sometime
Don't wait for the perfect moment to start living your life, it's never too soon to get started.

I'm on my feet I'm on the floor I'm good to go All I need is just to hear a song I know I wanna always feel like part of this was mine I wanna fall in love tonight
Feeling alive and part of something meaningful is all you really need to fall in love with life.

Are you gonna to live your life Standing in the back looking around? Are you gonna waste your time? Gotta make a move or you'll miss out
Don't let your fears keep you from living your life, take action before it's too late.

Someone's gonna to ask you what it's all about Stick around nostalgia won't let you down Someone's gonna to ask you what's it's all about What are you gonna have to say for yourself?
Don't get stuck in the past, embrace change and live in the present so that you have something to show for yourself.

Crimson and clover, over and over Crimson and clover, over and over
Life is repetitive and cyclical, but that doesn't mean it can't have a beautiful rhythm.

Our house in the middle of the street (Crimson and clover, over and over) Why did we ever meet Start in my rock and roll fantasy (Crimson and clover, over and over) Don't don't, don't let's star (Crimson and clover, over and over) Why did we ever part (Crimson and clover, over and over) Kick start my rock and roll heart (Crimson and clover, over and over)
Life is full of surprises, and sometimes they can feel like a rock-and-roll fantasy come to life. Embrace the unexpected and let it kick-start your heart.

So come on Davey, sing me something that I know I wanna always feel like part of this was mine I wanna fall in love tonight (Here, tonight) I wanna fall in love tonight (Here, tonight) I wanna always feel like part of this was mine I wanna fall in love tonight I wanna fall in love tonight I wanna fall in love tonight
Music has a way of bringing people together, and sometimes all you need is a familiar tune to inspire some serious passion for life.

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Jim Adkins, Rick Burch, Tommy James, Zach Lind, Tom Linton, Peter Lucia

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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