September
Lydia Loveless Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Well happy birthday, make a wish
I know this isn't really how you want to celebrate it
Withdrawal shits and gun fights on the lawn

All your friends are idiots
Man the air really went out of his balloon, didn't it
I wish he would just leave us alone
So hold your breath past the cemetery now
Feels like it could still be all right somehow
'Cause I can smell the winter on the breeze
And it makes me feel like starting over
Do you wanna go somewhere with me?

'Cause I can see that you're a bird
Let me grab onto your wings and fly out of this world
'Cause I can see it's never gonna change
And I'm so tired of being harangued
Well I know if we leave he's gonna be mad
But I'll kill anyone who tries to make me stay

So even though I don't know where to go
We're almost to the end of Kauffman road
But I can feel the wet grass on my cheek
And I think this time it's really over
Is anybody gonna rescue me?
Can I get a ride?
(Can I get a ride?)
Daddy's got the gun out tonight
(Daddy's got the gun out tonight)
And the neighbors are all riled up
(And the neighbors are all riled up)
But I wanna have some fun
(And I wanna have some fun)

To the kids you're a hag
To the older ones you'll always be a spoiled brat
But there's some things people never really see

So I know the turnpike ain't the place to be
But at least you're here with me, honey
And I can smell your Mitchum on the breeze
Well it makes me feel like I'm getting older
September is the only time I'm free

So can I get a ride?
(Can I get a ride?)
Daddy's got the gun out tonight
(Daddy's got the gun out tonight)
And the neighbors are all riled up
(And the neighbors are all riled up)
But I wanna have some fun
(And I wanna have some fun)

September is the only time I'm free
(September is the only time I'm free)
But I know this time it's really over
So do you really wanna fuck with me?




(Do you really wanna fuck with me?)
Well I swear this time I'm really gonna leave

Overall Meaning

Lydia Loveless’s song β€œSeptember” is a tale of a dysfunctional family, set amidst a occasion that should be a cause for celebration, but instead descends into chaos. The song is a raw, emotional snapshot of a moment in time that is colored by drug addiction, gun violence, and a deeply entrenched frustration with the status quo. The lyrics describe a birthday celebration that is anything but happy, where withdrawal symptoms cause discomfort and tension boils over to gun fights on the front lawn. All the while, the singer is seeking an escape from it all, a chance to spread her wings and start anew.


Despite the chaos and despair that surrounds the singer, there is a glimmer of hope in the song. As the lyrics progress, the character becomes more and more resolved to leave and start over, finding solace in the winter air and the possibility of a new beginning. The song is a powerful testament to the strength of the human spirit, even in the face of overwhelming adversity.


Overall, β€œSeptember” is a haunting and deeply emotional track that confronts the challenges of addiction, violence, and dysfunctional families head on. It is a powerful reminder that even in the darkest of times, there is always the possibility of hope and redemption.


Line by Line Meaning

Well happy birthday, make a wish
Starting this song on a birthday wish metaphor, this line acknowledges that the situation is not ideal, especially for a celebration.


I know this isn't really how you want to celebrate it
Expanding on the previous line, the singer recognizes that the situation is far from ideal.


Withdrawal shits and gun fights on the lawn
The singer lists the unconventional and violent events taking place on this particular occasion.


All your friends are idiots
The artist is expressing their frustration with the people around them, implying that they are not helpful in the current situation.


Man the air really went out of his balloon, didn't it
The artist notes the change in the situation, implying that it went from hopeful to depressing rather quickly.


I wish he would just leave us alone
The singer wishes for someone to leave them alone and not interfere, likely the cause of the turmoil in the previous lines.


So hold your breath past the cemetery now
The singer is inviting their companion to join them in a symbolic gesture to leave the past behind and move on.


Feels like it could still be all right somehow
The artist expresses a faint hope that things can turn around despite the current situation seeming bleak.


'Cause I can smell the winter on the breeze
The artist is attuning to their surroundings and is aware of approaching winter, which symbolizes an opportunity for rebirth and fresh starts.


And it makes me feel like starting over
With the arrival of winter, the artist feels inspired to start anew and leave behind the current situation.


Do you wanna go somewhere with me?
Here the singer is inviting their companion to join them on their journey of starting over, emphasizing their need for someone to share this experience with.


'Cause I can see that you're a bird
The artist is drawing a metaphorical connection to their companion as a bird, implying a sense of freedom and promise.


Let me grab onto your wings and fly out of this world
Expanding on the previous metaphor, the singer is inviting their companion to take them along and escape from their present life.


'Cause I can see it's never gonna change
The singer acknowledges the unchanging nature of their current life and desires to break free from it.


And I'm so tired of being harangued
The singer is feeling overwhelmed and deprived of any freedom, indicating a need for change.


Well I know if we leave he's gonna be mad
This line implies the presence of an authoritative figure who will not approve of the artist's escape plan, highlighting potential consequences.


But I'll kill anyone who tries to make me stay
The line is expressive of the artist's desperation and willingness to do whatever it takes to break free and start anew.


So even though I don't know where to go
The singer acknowledges the uncertainty of their future, while maintaining the need for change.


We're almost to the end of Kauffman road
The singer is indicating a sense of progress, albeit slow, towards their destination, despite not entirely knowing where that is.


But I can feel the wet grass on my cheek
The artist is experiencing their surroundings, which could indicate an appreciation for the present moment or a need to escape it.


And I think this time it's really over
The artist is acknowledging that the previous lines of seeking change and escape are leading up to a final decision, likely of leaving their old life behind for good.


Is anybody gonna rescue me?
With this line, the artist is expressing a sense of helplessness, appealing to the possibility of finding assistance or support from any source, but also implying that they do not expect any.


Can I get a ride?
The singer is utilizing a mode of transportation as a method of breaking free from their current situation, expressing a desire to escape.


Daddy's got the gun out tonight
This line implies the presence of a potential danger or threat to the artist, emphasizing the necessity for escape or change.


And the neighbors are all riled up
The presence of additional people under stress indicates a general situation of chaos, adding to the sense of urgency.


But I wanna have some fun
The singer is displaying a sense of defiance and rebellion in the face of their adversity, emphasizing their need for something positive.


To the kids you're a hag
The singer's companion is viewed in a negative light by others, indicating potential societal pressures they are facing.


To the older ones you'll always be a spoiled brat
This line emphasizes a generational divide, with the artist's companion perceived negatively by older individuals as well, indicating societal pressure from multiple sources.


But there's some things people never really see
The artist is speaking up for their companion, implying that people do not really know them, and their negative perceptions are unfounded.


So I know the turnpike ain't the place to be
The singer is acknowledging that the turnpike is not an ideal location, highlighting a sense of vulnerability.


But at least you're here with me, honey
The singer is expressing gratitude for the company of their companion, indicating a sense of support, which they need during their escape or change.


And I can smell your Mitchum on the breeze
This line emphasizes the sensory aspects of their journey, with the smell of their companion's deodorant perhaps invoking a sense of comfort, safety, or familiarity.


Well it makes me feel like I'm getting older
With this line, the artist is acknowledging a sense of time passing, perhaps indicating a need for maturity or responsibility.


September is the only time I'm free
The artist is emphasizing the importance of their current situation, highlighting September as a time of change and freedom.


But I know this time it's really over
The singer is embracing the finality of their decision to leave their old life behind, emphasizing that they cannot go back.


Do you really wanna fuck with me?
The artist is showing defiance and aggression towards anyone who seeks to prevent their escape or change, emphasizing that they will do what it takes to achieve their dreams.


Well I swear this time I'm really gonna leave
The singer reaffirms their commitment to their escape or change, emphasizing that they have made up their mind and are willing to accept the consequences.




Lyrics Β© BMG Rights Management
Written by: Lydia Ankrom, Laura Jane Grace

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

Dave Kaufman

This is such a gorgeous song. It's puzzling to me why it didn't become a hit and why Lydia Loveless is not better known.

scott c

Lydia makes, I buy. Simply one of the finest singer songwriters on the planet. Really looking forward to this album

Jake Elsaesser

Can't wait to hear the album in full! So happy to be hearing new songs from Lydia.

Laura Kraak

I love this song, it's beautiful.. you're music is very moving. You inspired me to play guitar again and sing (few years ago). I don't know you, but I will forever love you for that (Lydia Loveless). Thank you for your music...! Greets from Holland ✌️

andrew smith

I love Lydia and can't wait to get the new album

caseymagic

Just a couple more days!

Martin M

1 minute in and i'm bawling ty Lydia i'm so ready for this album

T.J. Duvall

I love this so fucking much. This is what I needed after this month being complete shit. September 2020 has been a very cursed month so far. This album is going to be amazing.

Paul bukowski

Who could seriously dislike this beautiful songπŸ˜‘πŸ˜‘ people suck

Daniel John Williams

Beautiful song Lydia! Wonderful touching poetic video too!

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