Seventeen
Jimmy Eat World Lyrics


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Hung up here on a web of comfort.
Taking off with nowhere to go.
Standing tall with but your new cloak armor.
Making out like it's all been done.

It's harder than it seems.
You slip but never fall.
They'll take you, when you won't come back to me.
Tearing down what we built up so well.

Layin' low as you came my way.
Look alive with your head on backwards, goin off when
There's nothin' wrong.
It's only in your dreams, but it felt like it was real.

They'll take you, when you won't come back to me.
Hang loose, my friend don't walk away from me,
Because i really think you're cool.
Is it worth turning back despite these open hands?

You're tearing me apart.




They'll take you, when you won't come back to me.
(you need to find yourself).

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Jimmy Eat World's song "Seventeen" possess a feeling of being stuck in the past and wanting to move forward at the same time. The opening line, "Hung up here on a web of comfort," suggests that even though the person is not necessarily happy, they are unwilling to let go of what they know. They feel safe in their current situation, and leaving it would be too difficult. The line "Taking off with nowhere to go" could also suggest that the individual knows they need to make a change, but they are unsure of what that change should be.


The chorus, "It's harder than it seems. You slip but never fall," appears to be a piece of good advice. It is easy to become overwhelmed and lost when trying to make significant changes in one's life, but the person singing the song encourages the listener to persevere. The line "They'll take you when you won't come back to me" may suggest that the individual singing the song is frustrated with a friend who will not follow their advice, and "tearing down what we built up so well" indicates that those friends are causing chaos and disrupting progress.


Towards the end of the song, "Layin' low as you came my way" hints at the individual noticing how their friend's behavior has changed. They seem to be trying to cover up something, and "going off when there's nothin' wrong" indicates that the person is blowing everything out of proportion. The line "It's only in your dreams, but it felt like it was real" could suggest they are experiencing nightmares, but it feels like real life. The song ends with a plea, "Hang loose, my friend, don't walk away from me, because I really think you're cool. Is it worth turning back despite these open hands? You're tearing me apart. They'll take you when you won't come back to me. (You need to find yourself)" - implying that the singer values their friendship with this person and wants to see them succeed but will not compromise their own progress for them.


Line by Line Meaning

Hung up here on a web of comfort.
Stuck in a comfortable but stagnant situation.


Taking off with nowhere to go.
Leaving aimlessly without any clear destination.


Standing tall with but your new cloak armor.
Looking confident with new protective gear.


Making out like it's all been done.
Acting like everything has already been accomplished.


It's harder than it seems.
Challenges are more difficult than anticipated.


You slip but never fall.
There are setbacks, but not complete failures.


They'll take you, when you won't come back to me.
Other opportunities may arise when we close ourselves off to them.


Tearing down what we built up so well.
Destroying what we worked hard to create.


Layin' low as you came my way.
Being cautious when approaching.


Look alive with your head on backwards, goin off when There's nothin' wrong.
Putting up a front and overreacting when not necessary.


It's only in your dreams, but it felt like it was real.
Experiencing vivid dreams that feel like reality.


Hang loose, my friend don't walk away from me, Because i really think you're cool.
Encouraging a friend not to leave and expressing admiration for them.


Is it worth turning back despite these open hands?
Considering the value of returning to a situation despite alternative options.


You're tearing me apart.
Causing emotional pain and distress.


(you need to find yourself).
Suggesting the need for self-discovery and introspection.




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: JAMES CHRISTOPHER ADKINS, RICHARD E BURCH, THOMAS DARRELL LINTON, ZACHARY MICHEL LIND

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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