Wish You Were Here
Limp Bizkit with;John Rzeznick of the Goo Goo Dolls Lyrics


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So, so you think you can tell
Heaven from hell
Blues skies from pain
Can you tell a green field
From a cold steel rail
A smile from a vail
Do you think you can tell
So, do you think we can change
Everybody that hates
Before it's too late
So proud to be free
But who can we blame
Don't be ashamed
Do you think we can change

How i wish
How i wish you were here
We're one lost soul swimming in a fish bowl
Year after year
Running over the same old ground
What have we found
The same old fears
Wish you were here

We don't need
Need anymore pain
We just need to remain on the very same page
So much to gain
No more losing a friend
We're losing ourselves
We just need your help
So glad your here





So glad your here

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "Wish You were Here" by John Rzeznick of the Goo Goo Dolls speak about the struggles of the human existence and the yearning for change. The opening lines are full of philosophical questions about perception and the human ability to distinguish between heaven and hell, pain and pleasure, and the natural from the industrial. The song then moves on to question how we can bring about changes in the world, especially in a society that is deeply divided and seems to thrive on hate and violence. It continues to assert the need for love and unity as the only way to counter hate and discrimination.


The song then takes a nostalgic turn, as Rzeznick sings about how he wishes his loved ones and friends were still with him, and how he feels lost and alone. He uses the metaphor of a "lost soul swimming in a fishbowl" to describe his feelings of loneliness and isolation, yearning for someone to connect with. The song ends with an uplifting note, as Rzeznick expresses his gratitude for those who stick around and offer support, acknowledging that we need each other to face the challenges of life.


Line by Line Meaning

So, so you think you can tell
Do you have the ability to differentiate between two contrasting things?


Heaven from hell
Can you distinguish between what is good and what is bad?


Blue skies from pain
Do you know the difference between happiness and sorrow?


Can you tell a green field
Are you able to recognize natural beauty?


From a cold steel rail
Can you differentiate between the artificial and the real?


A smile from a vail
Can you tell when someone is hiding their true feelings?


Do you think you can tell
Is it possible for you to truly understand another person's perspective?


So, do you think we can change
Is it possible for us to make a difference?


Everybody that hates
Can we change the minds of those that have strong negative feelings?


Before it's too late
Can we make a positive impact before time runs out?


So proud to be free
We have the privilege of living in a free society


But who can we blame
However, we often look for someone to blame when things go wrong


Don't be ashamed
We should not be embarrassed to ask for help


Do you think we can change
Can we truly make a positive difference in the world?


How i wish
I really wish


How i wish you were here
I truly miss you and wish you were present with me


We're one lost soul swimming in a fish bowl
We feel trapped in a limited existence


Year after year
We continue to feel stuck and unable to move forward


Running over the same old ground
We repeat the same mistakes and encounter the same obstacles


What have we found
Despite our efforts, we haven't found a way to truly move forward


The same old fears
We continue to experience the same anxieties and uncertainties


Wish you were here
I truly miss your presence and support


We don't need
We do not require


Need anymore pain
To endure any more suffering


We just need to remain on the very same page
We need to come together with a shared understanding


So much to gain
There is so much to gain if we work together


No more losing a friend
We cannot afford to lose any more allies


We're losing ourselves
We risk losing our true identity and values in the process


We just need your help
We need the help and support of others to make a difference


So glad your here
I am truly grateful for your presence and support




Contributed by Savannah Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@primorai246

So, so you think you can tell
Heaven from hell
Blues skies from pain
Can you tell a green field
From a cold steel rail
A smile from a veil
Do you think you can tell?
So, do you think we can change?
Everybody that hates
Before it's too late
So proud to be free
But who can we blame
Don't be ashamed
Do you think we can change
How I wish
How I wish you were here
We're one lost soul swimming in a fish bowl
Year after year
Running over the same old ground
What have we found
The same old fears
Wish you were here
We don't need
Need anymore pain
We just need to remain on the very same page
So much to gain
No more losing a friend
We're losing ourselves
We just need your help
So glad you're here
So glad you're here



@vanessao.e.a.3027

🇺🇸 🇺🇸 🇺🇸 🇺🇸 🇺🇸
So, so you think you can tell
Heaven from hell
Blues skies from pain
Can you tell a green field
From a cold steel rail
A smile from a veil
Do you think you can tell?

So, do you think we can change?
Everybody that hates
Before it's too late
So proud to be free
But who can we blame
Don't be ashamed
Do you think we can change

How I wish
How I wish you were here
We're one lost soul swimming in a fish bowl
Year after year
Running over the same old ground
What have we found
The same old fears
Wish you were here

We don't need
Need anymore pain
We just need to remain on the very same page
So much to gain
No more losing a friend
We're losing ourselves
We just need your help
So glad you're here

So glad you're here



All comments from YouTube:

@Zefirestone

This is from a concert in New York City just a few weeks after 9/11/2001. Smoke from the ruins was still drifting across lower Manhattan. Many great artists took part, but Limp Biskit singing this song was the heart-wrenching moment..."wish you were here"....for all the friends, neighbors, family members we lost that day.

@nanettelandstrom7422

<3

@serenehorizons3305

😌🦋

@momagic383

How this memory only had ten votes is stunning. Thanks for sharing.

@JaytheCraze

I was a high school senior that year, watching this and it hitting like bricks out of nowhere - all the lyrics seemed to so eerily address every aspect of what had happened and then the emotion of “wish you were here”- on the day I am writing this is the first time I have watched it since despite recalling it often. It’s just how I remember. Feels like we are back full circle to ... well... I will leave my thoughts at that- all the souls we lost these last 20 years...

@Maaarina.Renthleiinvictus182

What a remakable moment memory and deepest condolences to all victims.

36 More Replies...

@Pikesburgh

This is why Fred Durst is so massively underrated. All of Limp Bizkit is underrated. But Fred gets so much hate, even though he has one of the most unique, authentic styles.

@momagic383

It’s cuz of Eminem’s reference in one of his songs, is my guess. Tbh I didn’t know who Fred Durst was at the time I heard him mentioned. So if that’s your first recollection hearing someone’s name, it clouds your opinion.

@shapelessshapefromthebay8759

​@@momagic383 fEminem is a beta punk beotch in diapers with a big AZZ mouth, no hands, no feet.

@Jetspro100

20 years ago. Never forget being in the suburbs of NYC hearing the news about the twin towers. All the divisive politics in this country, never forget this was a time this whole country came together after this horrific tragedy. We will always be one, remember that.

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