People Are So Fickle
Kevin Devine Lyrics

Oh baby baby please
Beginning of a plea for forgiveness and understanding

I feel an urgent need to apologize
The singer is remorseful and seeks atonement for a terrible thing done in a dream

I did a terrible thing in a terrible dream
An act of infidelity in a dream causes emotional distress, and the dreamer seeks to make amends for the imagined deception

And now I can't look you in the eye
The dream is affecting the dreamer's ability to interact normally with their partner

It started when we were out on the date
A past memory when the couple was having a good time together

When we turned to say
The point in the conversation when honesty is being put on the table

"I gotta tell you something odd
The conversation takes a unique turn and introduces a new element to the relationship

I know I said we'd get married
An expectation for the future commitment and relationship between the couple

But I'm already married"
The artist revealing a shocking and disappointing fact that changes the direction of the conversation

And that's when you laughed so hard
The partner doesn't take the news as expected, and responds with laughter

So I turned and swung
The singer's violent response of attacking his partner in a dream

I woke in a shock
The aftermath of a violent and terrifying dream

My nails digging blood from the base of my palms
The physical effects of the violent dream have taken a toll on the dreamer

It's just that people are so fickle
People change their minds easily, and the singer is worried about the fragility of their relationship

They fall in love at different angles
Falling in love is a complex, unique process that happens for different reasons and in different ways

And really I could lose you
The artist is afraid of being abandoned by their partner

Just as quickly as I've gotten you
The relationship could end suddenly, as it began suddenly

And that's the kinda thought
An unhealthy thought process that is causing anxiety

That makes me nervous
The singer is anxious and worried

I'm worried if you'll really think I'm worth it
The artist is concerned that their partner might not see their value

When the rush wears off
The initial excitement of the relationship fades, and reality sets in

And you're left with this busted person
The artist feels broken and damaged

But if you tell me you will
The singer seeks reassurance from their partner

I will do what I can to believe it
The artist will try to believe that their partner loves them and sees their worth

So baby all these things that I've seen
The disturbing dreams that the singer has been having

Last night while asleep
The disturbing dreams happened while the singer slept

This morning they're messing with me
The dreams are affecting the dreamer's mental state in his waking hours

And now I'm anxious as hell
The artist is agitated and worried

And looking for help
The artist needs assistance in dealing with the anxiety caused by the dreams

To the pleasant and painless
The singer seeks a way to escape the emotional pain

Some story to tell
The singer needs a narrative to explain away the anxiety and emotional turmoil

With a through line of calm
A central narrative that can bring peace

That could stop me from being myself
Anxiety is preventing the artist from being authentic and true to themselves

Cause all I think is how I want to be your fever
The artist wants to be a source of passion and intensity for their partner

Just to know I make you heated
The singer seeks validation from their specific partner

Cause I'm worried you might see me more like a blanket
The artist fears being seen by their partner as a mere source of comfort

Who's there for comfort and for cover
A mere source of safety and protection rather than passion and excitement

From the glare of former lovers
The singer is attempting to protect themselves from the disappointment of their partner's past relationships

All the passion that kissed you and bit you
The pain and excitement that past lovers have caused

Til you were devoured
The destructive power that former love affairs can have on an individual

And I'd like to get better
The artist wants to improve and address their anxiety and fears

Cause thinking like this is torture
The singer's current thought process is causing extreme emotional pain

And if I can't stop it
The singer is not sure if they can overcome the anxiety and worry

You'll be sick of bearing crosses
The partner will eventually tire of trying to ease the artist's worries

And you'll jump to cut your losses
The partner will eventually leave to avoid further emotional pain

You'll go get quarantined somewhere far from me
The partner will seek distance and separation from the artist

Where it's much less dangerous
A place without emotional turmoil or pain

Maybe if I wake up and quit dreaming
The artist believes that only by escaping the dreams and anxieties can they find peace

I could shake the shit I'm fearing
Freedom from the emotional distress can only be achieved through disassociation from the dreams

And I could feel like I'm just freaking out
Recognizing the irrationality of current thoughts and feelings

For no good reason
The singer recognizes their lack of reason and logic in their current state of mind

It's a line I can cross once I get there
An obstacle that can be overcome once the mood improves

I'm not ever leaving
The artist is expressing commitment and the desire to work through relationship difficulties