Lately
Liz Akhavan Lyrics

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Lately, when I'm staring out of my window
When I rest my head on my pillow
I just think of all the things that I need to be
You say that I gotta live up to your reasons, you're always coming up with new ones
And all these expectations crashing down on me
But darling, can't you see?
I may talk a little too much
I might get a little out of touch

I'm a little crazy and I'm not around enough
I may play a little too rough
I might get a little of wound up
I'm a little lazy and I tend to interrupt
But lately I've been thinking that is you who doesn't measure up
Lately, when I'm driving my car on a highway
When I stay out of my friday
I just think of all the things that you want me to be
You say that I gotta live up to your deadlines, you say that I'm wasting all my time
And all these expectations crashing down on me
But darling, can't you see?
I may talk a little too much
I might be a little out of touch
I'm a little crazy and I'm not around enough
I may play a little too rough
I might get a little of wound up
I'm a little lazy and I tend to interrupt
But lately I've been thinking that is you who doesn't measure up
I may talk a little too much
I might be a little out of touch
I'm a little crazy and I'm not around enough
I may play a little too rough
I might get a little of wound up
I'm a little lazy and I tend to interrupt
But lately I've been thinking that is you...
I may talk a little too much
I might be a little out of touch
I'm a little crazy and I'm not around enough
I may play a little too rough
I might get a little of wound up

I'm a little lazy and I tend to interrupt
But lately I've been thinking that is you who doesn't measure up

Overall Meaning

In Liz Akhavan's song Lately, the lyrics express the feelings of someone who is facing immense pressure from their partner to be someone they are not. The singer speaks of staring out of a window or resting their head on a pillow, only to be filled with thoughts of what they need to do to please their partner. The partner is portrayed as someone who always comes up with new reasons for the singer to live up to their expectations, leaving the singer feeling as though they are constantly crashing under the weight of these expectations.

Despite this, the singer asserts that they are not perfect either. They talk too much, get a little out of touch, and tend to interrupt. However, lately the singer has been thinking that it is their partner who doesn't measure up, not the singer themselves. It seems that the pressure to constantly change and fit into their partner's expectations has become too much, and the singer is beginning to realize that their partner is asking too much of them.

The song seems to be a commentary on the pressure that can come with trying to live up to someone else's expectations, especially when those expectations are constantly changing. The lyrics provide a glimpse into the toll that this pressure can take on a person, and how it can lead to feelings of frustration and doubt. Ultimately, the song seems to convey a message of self-acceptance and the importance of finding someone who values you for who you are.

Line by Line Meaning

Lately, when I'm staring out of my window
Recently, when I gaze out of my window

When I rest my head on my pillow
When I lay my head down to sleep

I just think of all the things that I need to be
I contemplate all the things I'm supposed to become

You say that I gotta live up to your reasons, you're always coming up with new ones
You state that I must fulfill your expectations, and you keep adding more

And all these expectations crashing down on me
All these demands are overwhelming me

But darling, can't you see?
But my love, don't you understand?

I may talk a little too much
Perhaps I speak more than necessary

I might get a little out of touch
I might lose touch with reality

I'm a little crazy and I'm not around enough
I exhibit some madness and I'm not always present

I may play a little too rough
I could act a bit too aggressively

I might get a little of wound up
I might become too excited or anxious

I'm a little lazy and I tend to interrupt
I can be a bit idle and I tend to interject

But lately I've been thinking that is you who doesn't measure up
But recently, I've begun to believe that you are the one falling short

Lately, when I'm driving my car on a highway
Recently, while driving my car on the highway

When I stay out of my friday
When I stay out past Friday night

I just think of all the things that you want me to be
I just think of all the things you desire me to become

You say that I gotta live up to your deadlines, you say that I'm wasting all my time
You say I have to meet your time constraints, and that I'm wasting my time

But darling, can't you see?
But my love, don't you understand?

But lately I've been thinking that is you who doesn't measure up
But lately, I've begun to believe that you are the one falling short

I may talk a little too much
Perhaps I speak more than necessary

I might be a little out of touch
I might lose touch with reality

I'm a little crazy and I'm not around enough
I exhibit some madness and I'm not always present

I may play a little too rough
I could act a bit too aggressively

I might get a little of wound up
I might become too excited or anxious

I'm a little lazy and I tend to interrupt
I can be a bit idle and I tend to interject

But lately I've been thinking that is you who...
But recently, I've begun to believe that you are the one who...

Contributed by Aaliyah R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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