Bride
Joyce Manor Lyrics
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Could know how it feels by now,
Would they act like they don't have a clue?
You steer with your shoulders and line your eyes with both of your arms
You send out for questions on notecards
When I say the answer's no, no, I don't remember the time collecting interest
And no, I don't remember anyone I haven't seen for years.
I don't remember being anywhere but here.
Could never hold me to tryin'
But hey, don't you think it's the least you could do?
Maybe it's better that you are how you are
And it's something like you that has me falling apart
While I'm pressed into you in the back of your car
With your keys digging into your side.
Reminds you of the time collecting interest.
And no, I don't remember anyone I haven't seen for years.
I don't remember being anywhere but here.
The lyrics to Joyce Manor's song "Bride" convey a sense of both resignation and determination in the face of life's past and looming challenges. The references to old posters and co-worker friends suggest a past that has been left behind, but also imply a nostalgia for simpler times. The line "You steer with your shoulders and line your eyes with both of your arms" creates a vivid and somewhat unsettling image of someone trying to maintain control and composure through physical gestures.
The chorus, with its repetition of "no, I don't remember," is a declaration of the singer's willingness to let go of the past and focus on the present. This is echoed in the lines "When you come to me with offers I'll easily refuse / Could never hold me to tryin'" which suggest a sense of self-assuredness and confidence in one's choices. The final lines, with the mention of "keys digging into your side" and the reminder of "the time collecting interest," add a layer of detail to the scene being described, and give the listener a glimpse into the emotions and experiences that have shaped the singer's worldview.
Overall, "Bride" is a lyrically rich and musically engaging track that showcases Joyce Manor's talent for crafting introspective and emotionally charged punk rock anthems.
Line by Line Meaning
If all your old posters of co-worker friends
If all your past attachments and relationships in life could know how much you've changed since then
Could know how it feels by now,
Could comprehend and feel the changes and development in you over time
Would they act like they don't have a clue?
Would they be able to recognize the person you've become, or act ignorant and oblivious?
You steer with your shoulders and line your eyes with both of your arms
Your body reflects and conveys your feelings and emotions in subtle ways, like steering your life with your own strength and shielding your eyes from the world
You send out for questions on notecards
You still seek answers to unresolved questions, reaching out to external sources to find clarity
When I say the answer's no, no, I don't remember the time collecting interest
When I say I can't fulfill your expectations, I also distance myself from our shared history and memories
And no, I don't remember anyone I haven't seen for years.
I don't cling onto old connections or let them dictate who I am today. People who have been absent from my life for a long time are no longer relevant to me.
I don't remember being anywhere but here.
I'm grounded and focused on the present moment, and not the past or the future.
When you come to me with offers I'll easily refuse
When you offer me something that doesn't align with my current values and goals, I won't hesitate to reject it
Could never hold me to tryin',
You can't force me to conform or try something I don't want to
But hey, don't you think it's the least you could do?
Don't you think it's basic human decency to respect my choices and not try to change me?
Maybe it's better that you are how you are
Perhaps it's for the best that you stay true to who you are, even if I don't agree with it
And it's something like you that has me falling apart
Your uncompromising nature triggers my own insecurities and causes me to doubt myself
While I'm pressed into you in the back of your car
While I'm physically close to you, I still feel distant and disconnected emotionally
With your keys digging into your side.
With the possessions and responsibilities of your life causing discomfort and pain
Reminds you of the time collecting interest.
Serves as a reminder of the past and how it's still affecting you now
And no, I don't remember anyone I haven't seen for years.
Repeating the same sentiment to emphasize how little value is placed on past relationships
I don't remember being anywhere but here.
Reiterating the importance of staying present and not dwelling on the past or future.
Contributed by Austin E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.