Dark/Light
John Frusciante Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I can't put those thoughts away
Everything I've thought's in my head to stay
Now what do we get for trying to follow to a tee
All the instructions you gave to me
Did you ever notice
That it's for you that I've lived my life
Every time I had fun you were on my mind
I've gone off the wall
Really not sure if I'm needed here at all
Hey
This is my last shot
I'll always be less that my other selves
So I feel like I'm competing with someone else
Who I could never beat in a million years
I was made to think that we would wind up round here
Will we ever get together in a song
Will you ever tell everybody bout right and wrong
Will you let everyone in on the meaning of life and death
Do you need me or are you waiting for my last breath
Listen
The lyrics of John Frusciante's "Dark/Light" are quite complex and abstract, but they seem to be touching on themes of self-doubt, identity, and the search for meaning. The first stanza suggests a struggle to forget certain thoughts or memories, and a feeling of being trapped by one's own mind. The second stanza seems to express a sense of being beholden to someone else's expectations or instructions, and feeling lost or directionless when those expectations can't be met. The third stanza is perhaps the most poignant, with the singer lamenting their own perceived inadequacy and comparing themselves unfavorably to a better version of themselves that they can never be. The final few lines of the song seem to be almost directed at someone else, with a plea to "let everyone in on the meaning of life and death" and an uncertainty about whether the singer is even needed or wanted.
Overall, the lyrics of "Dark/Light" are laden with emotion and deep introspection, and could be interpreted in a variety of ways depending on the listener's own experiences and perspective.
Line by Line Meaning
Remember all you've forgotten
I'm urging you to recall everything that you may have forgotten.
I can't put those thoughts away
The memories keep lingering in my mind and I can't get rid of them.
Everything I've thought's in my head to stay
My every thought is permanently etched in my mind and can't be erased.
Now what do we get for trying to follow to a tee
What are the benefits of meticulously following all the instructions given to us?
All the instructions you gave to me
I followed all the directions that you gave me.
Did you ever notice
Have you ever realized or paid attention to something?
That it's for you that I've lived my life
My life has revolved around you and your needs.
Every time I had fun you were on my mind
Even when I was having fun, I couldn't stop thinking about you.
I've lost my perspective
I've lost my way of looking at things clearly and objectively.
I've gone off the wall
I've behaved in a way that is irrational and unexpected.
Really not sure if I'm needed here at all
I'm uncertain if I have any importance or value in this situation.
Hey
A casual greeting or an attempt to grab someone's attention.
This is my last shot
This is my final attempt or opportunity to do something.
I'll always be less that my other selves
No matter what I do, I will always feel inadequate compared to my past versions of myself.
So I feel like I'm competing with someone else
I feel like I'm in a competition with an imaginary version of myself.
Who I could never beat in a million years
I know that I can never be as good as the ideal version of myself.
I was made to think that we would wind up round here
I was told or led to believe that we would end up in this situation.
Will we ever get together in a song
Can we ever connect or communicate through music?
Will you ever tell everybody bout right and wrong
Are you going to share your ideas or beliefs about morality with others?
Will you let everyone in on the meaning of life and death
Are you willing to reveal the significance of existence and mortality to everyone?
Do you need me or are you waiting for my last breath
Do you actually require my presence or are you just waiting for me to depart this life?
Listen
Please pay attention to what I'm about to say.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: JOHN ANTHONY FRUSCIANTE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@lunghezzadonda
This man drags me into another dimension.
@SuperJuvent
Lunghezza D'onda vero
@daman194
Lunghezza D'onda Me too. Then you are a true Frusciantist , a real fan :)
@primoo2
Couldn't agree more... This song is one i come back to for a long time now... 😉
@aneshize
Me too. I feel extatic when I listen to this
@italiankitchen6671
Me too
@eamonmmac
I don't know what it is about John. I have listened to this guy for years and years and love him. Yet he still manages to spring surprises. I have heard this song a thousand times, it was good but certainly not up there with the greats. Then the other day I hear it by accident, now I can't stop playing it and it seems to play to my very soul. A beautiful man, that has no idea how many people he has brought real joy too.
@aneshize
Totally agree with what you are saying. Frusciante speaks to my soul with his music, and especially this whole album
@Lou-zl6ex
same here
@Foukez
As your conscious level up you are able to recognize beauty in shells of vibrations that once before was invisible to you. This will continue till your last breath in this earth. Enjoy every step.