The Brightest Bulb Has Burned Out/Screws Fall Out
Less Than Jake Lyrics


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You told me that your 20 years have gone by much too fast
And you've been hoping this year will be better than the last
You said you've been waging a war against the loneliest of nights
With the strongest drinks and longest lines, it's not that big of a surprise
That you're feeling more dead than alive
You're feeling more dead than alive

So I'll let you know if you need
Somewhere to go
I'll be listening when you call
And I'll be there if you fall off
If you need someone to believe in you I'll let you know I will

You said the hole in your head has gotten bigger than the whole that's in your chest
And you're stuck between the past and present tense
Said you've been waging a war against so many years of lies
With stronger drinks and longer lines, it's not that big of a surprise
That you're feeling more dead than alive
You're feeling more dead than alive

So I'll let you know if you need
Somewhere to go
I'll be listening when you call
And I'll be there if you fall off
If you need someone to believe in you I'll let you know I will

But sometimes you've gotta let it go

So this pen is starting to become
A pipe bomb and these songs
Have turned to anthems again
To everything that's changed and to everything that's gone away
Here are my condolences to the future I never met
It's gone and never coming back
It's never coming back
So don't hold onto your past
You've gotta let it go

Cause friends leave as time fades away
The people and the places along the way
Without a doubt
Screws fall in and screws they fall out

Tomorrow's gone up in smoke
And I wonder when I'm alone
Where did my convictions go?
So to everyone that's gone away
Or fades away or stays the same
Here are my apologies to the person that I used to be
Before I burned down every bridge and every inch
Of everything I used to know
I gotta let it go

Friends leave as time fades away
The people and the places along the way
So don't hold onto your past




No, it's never coming back
You've gotta let it go

Overall Meaning

The song is about a person who feels lost and overwhelmed by the difficulties of life. They speak of waging a war against the loneliest of nights and feeling dead on the inside. The lyrics are powerful and relatable, particularly for those who felt like they are struggling in life. The chorus is an offer of support, reminding the person that they are not alone and that the singer is ready to be there for them if they call or fall off.


Line by Line Meaning

You told me that your 20 years have gone by much too fast
The singer's friend expressed that they feel like time has passed too quickly in their life.


And you've been hoping this year will be better than the last
The friend hopes for improvement in their life.


You said you've been waging a war against the loneliest of nights
The friend has been struggling with feelings of loneliness and sadness.


With the strongest drinks and longest lines, it's not that big of a surprise
It's not unexpected that the friend has been resorting to alcohol to cope with their troubles.


That you're feeling more dead than alive
The friend feels emotionally numb and drained.


So I'll let you know if you need Somewhere to go I'll be listening when you call And I'll be there if you fall off If you need someone to believe in you I'll let you know I will
The singer offers to be there for their friend if they need emotional support.


You said the hole in your head has gotten bigger than the whole that's in your chest
The friend feels mentally overwhelmed and burdened.


And you're stuck between the past and present tense
The friend is struggling to come to terms with their past and current circumstances.


Said you've been waging a war against so many years of lies
The friend has been dealing with a lot of deceit and falsehoods in their life.


With stronger drinks and longer lines, it's not that big of a surprise
Again, it's not unexpected that the friend has been resorting to alcohol to cope with their troubles.


That you're feeling more dead than alive
The friend continues to feel emotionally drained and possibly even suicidal.


So I'll let you know if you need Somewhere to go I'll be listening when you call And I'll be there if you fall off If you need someone to believe in you I'll let you know I will
Once again, the artist reiterates that they want to be there for their friend.


But sometimes you've gotta let it go
The singer acknowledges that there comes a time when holding onto the past and one's troubles becomes detrimental to their well-being.


So this pen is starting to become A pipe bomb and these songs Have turned to anthems again To everything that's changed and to everything that's gone away
The singer is using writing and music as a way to express their angst and process their changes and losses.


Here are my condolences to the future I never met It's gone and never coming back It's never coming back
The singer mourns the future that they will never have, but accepts that it's gone.


So don't hold onto your past You've gotta let it go
The artist advises their friend (and listeners) to let go of their past and move forward in life.


Cause friends leave as time fades away The people and the places along the way Without a doubt Screws fall in and screws they fall out
People and things in life come and go, and it's just a natural part of the changing world.


Tomorrow's gone up in smoke And I wonder when I'm alone Where did my convictions go?
The singer reflects on the passing of time and how it has eroded their sense of purpose and values.


So to everyone that's gone away Or fades away or stays the same Here are my apologies to the person that I used to be
The singer apologizes to those they have lost touch with, and acknowledges that they have changed as a person.


Before I burned down every bridge and every inch Of everything I used to know I gotta let it go
The artist acknowledges that they have ruined relationships and surrounded themselves with negativity, and need to let go of these things to move forward in life.


No, it's never coming back You've gotta let it go
The song ends with a repetition of the idea that the past is gone and it's time to move on.




Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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