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José González
Afterglow
José González Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Exposing myself in this neighborhood
Talkin' to people as if I knew them well
Thinking that everyone has gone through different kinds of hell
Lately, I've found myself in doubt
Asking myself what it's all about
What am I doin' here, what's this leadin' to?
What's the point of all without you?
Well, I've go promises to keep
Like the cutting [?] of the light upon my feet
Each time I fall
Every now and then in dreams
By the river, 'neath the trees
Leaves of yellow, red and brown I had
You whisper in my ear
Your love belongs to everyone
I feel just like an open book
A couple of words is all it took
In front of a bright white canvas [?]
Stirring vacantly no freak [?] against my will
A drifting vessel in the storm
Pushed around from shore to shore
I know I've so much left to see
I know I've so much left to give
But the memories remain
Yet this courage don't feel the same
Filling pages one by one in the warmth of other songs
The lyrics of José González’s song “Afterglow” seem to capture the feeling of being lost and uncertain about one’s place in the world. The opening lines suggest a feeling of vulnerability, as if the singer is exposing himself to the world around him, almost like an open book. He’s speaking to people as if he knows them, but in reality, he doesn’t really have a clue. He’s questioning his purpose, wondering what his life is leading to, and what the point of everything is if he’s not doing it with someone he cares about. The lyrics appear to depict a search for meaning and a sense of belonging, as the singer seems to be trying to figure out his place in the world.
The lines “Well, I've got promises to keep / Like the cutting [?] of the light upon my feet / Each time I fall” suggest a newfound sense of responsibility, but also a sense of uncertainty about the future. The singer is acknowledging his obligations, but also recognizing that he’s going to fall at times. He’s going to make mistakes, and he needs to be prepared for that inevitability. The lyrics that follow describe dreams where he’s with the person he loves, but the memories are fading, and the courage he once felt is no longer there. The image of “filling pages one by one in the warmth of other songs” seems to refer to the singer’s attempts to find solace in music, and possibly to find a sense of purpose through his own musical endeavors.
Overall, the lyrics of “Afterglow” seem to be about the search for meaning and a sense of belonging in the world. They depict a sense of vulnerability and uncertainty, but also a willingness to keep going despite the challenges. The song seems to capture a feeling that many people can relate to: the sense that life is often confusing and difficult to navigate, but that there’s still something worth fighting for.
Line by Line Meaning
I feel just like an open book
Feeling vulnerable and exposing myself to the scrutiny of others
Exposing myself in this neighborhood
Allowing myself to be open in a public setting
Talkin' to people as if I knew them well
Communicating with strangers as if I had an established relationship with them
Thinking that everyone has gone through different kinds of hell
Believing that everyone has dealt with their own personal struggles
Lately, I've found myself in doubt
Recently feeling uncertain about myself and my actions
Asking myself what it's all about
Questioning the meaning and purpose of my life
What am I doin' here, what's this leadin' to?
Wondering about the direction and ultimate outcome of my actions and presence in the world
What's the point of all without you?
Questioning the meaning of life without the presence of a loved one
Well, I've go promises to keep
Having commitments to fulfill
Like the cutting [?] of the light upon my feet
Like the sharpness of the light hitting my feet
Each time I fall
Referring to a literal or metaphorical fall that occurs repeatedly
Every now and then in dreams
Occasionally experiencing something in my dreams
By the river, 'neath the trees
By a river and underneath trees
Leaves of yellow, red and brown I had
Seeing the fall foliage in my dream
You whisper in my ear
Hearing the voice of a loved one in my dream
Your love belongs to everyone
Believing that love is a universal emotion that can be shared by all
A couple of words is all it took
A small amount of communication had a large impact
In front of a bright white canvas [?]
Facing a blank slate or new opportunity
Stirring vacantly no freak [?] against my will
Feeling unmotivated and lost in my thoughts
A drifting vessel in the storm
Feeling lost and uncertain, like a boat with no clear direction or purpose
Pushed around from shore to shore
Being pushed by outside forces from one situation to another
I know I've so much left to see
Realizing that there is still much to discover and experience in the world
I know I've so much left to give
Feeling as though I have much more to offer to the world
But the memories remain
Remembering the past experiences that have shaped me
Yet this courage don't feel the same
Feeling as though my bravery or confidence isn't as strong as it used to be
Filling pages one by one in the warmth of other songs
Continuing to make progress and create something meaningful amidst the inspiration of others' work
Contributed by Juliana T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@DanLn1
No one else comes close to Joses songwriting and performances, the greatest ever ♥️
@justinhunt1714
God damn, this guy's music will just start making me unexpectedly cry at times. I'm in a convenience store parking lot just enjoying a coffee scrolling facebook and BAM! it hits me 😢
@sanitarydept.2828
all of this will be gone someday
@ARGallardo_
Hearing this song for three years, living many experiences, meeting different people and having a girlfriend with a hard past. I've realized that everything is left behind in time.
@blznj
Jose Gonzalez = Lyrical Poetry.
@taniadelacombe4476
...a poetic CSNY... bravo!!!✌💖
@adeliahogarth2407
Beautiful.
@GuilhermeBuster
Musica incrível ❤️
@larakatus
Is amazing..
@christophermassaad3841
Strong influence of African Blues sounds in this song.