---Courtesy (mostly) of the official matt caplan website---
Sideways
Matt Caplan Lyrics
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Found a little sawdust where you lay
Never made collages as a young child
Not that much to see So much to say
Now even in this silence there's a thunder
And rain that steals the breath beneath this cage
And at least I've got your memory to soothe me
This bitter poison ripening with age
Because everything I've ever done I've done because I love you
Silly you should ask
I'm afraid that I'll spend the better part of next year scared that i might need you
Bring me down and I'll feel again
Everything I've ever done I've done because I love you
Sideways
Lost my patience well before West Fourth Street
Found a copper coin, said "Seize the Day"
And I let the angry audience surround me
Hiding as I screamed "Give o'er the play"
And now even in this thunder there's a silence
A shred of comfort standing at my door
And at least I've got the sense to reconstruct you
And leave me twice as lucid as before
Chorus
And you left your mark
And you left your face in the corner of my mind three times
You left your mark
You left yourself
And at least i've got the sense to sense what's coming
And realize that good things never come to those that wait too long
Chorus
The lyrics in Matt Caplan's song "Sideways" are deeply emotional and introspective, reflecting on lost love and memories. The opening lines describe losing focus while in Chicago and finding sawdust where someone used to lay, implying that someone close to the singer is no longer there. The next lines describe the lack of childhood collages and how there's so much to say but not enough visual representation of it. The singer finds solace in the memory of the person who has left them and how it's better than the silence that follows.
The second verse talks about losing patience before reaching West Fourth Street and finding a copper coin that implies "seize the day." The mention of an "angry audience" and screaming "give o'er the play" suggests the singer may have been in a play or performance, but the anger and frustration led to a breakdown. Yet, even with the thunderous thoughts, there's still a shred of comfort waiting in the wings.
The chorus repeats the idea that everything the singer has done is because of their love for the person who left. They fear needing that person again, but also acknowledge that they need to feel again. The song ends with the realization that the person who left has made such an impact on their life that they can't forget them, yet there's still something to look forward to.
Line by Line Meaning
Lost my train of thought around Chicago
I got distracted and lost my focus while I was in Chicago
Found a little sawdust where you lay
I found some small remnants of you where you used to rest
Never made collages as a young child
When I was young, I didn't make any art pieces by cutting and gluing different things together
Not that much to see So much to say
There wasn't much to look at, but I had a lot to express
Now even in this silence there's a thunder
Although it's quiet, I can still hear the echoes of a loud noise
And rain that steals the breath beneath this cage
The rain is so heavy that it's taking away the air from my lungs
And at least I've got your memory to soothe me
The memories of you comfort me in this difficult time
This bitter poison ripening with age
My sadness and pain are only growing stronger with time
Because everything I've ever done I've done because I love you
I have done everything in my life because of my love for you
Silly you should ask
It's a foolish question to ask because it's so obvious
I'm afraid that I'll spend the better part of next year scared that i might need you
I'm worried that I'll spend a lot of time being afraid that I will need you
Bring me down and I'll feel again
When I'm feeling low, I can start to feel emotions again
Sideways
Things are going in unexpected and unconventional ways
Lost my patience well before West Fourth Street
I lost my temper well before I reached West Fourth Street
Found a copper coin, said "Seize the Day"
I found a penny and it reminded me to take advantage of each day
And I let the angry audience surround me
I allowed myself to be surrounded by a hostile crowd
Hiding as I screamed "Give o'er the play"
I tried to hide while shouting at them to stop the performance
And now even in this thunder there's a silence
Despite the noise, there is a stillness here
A shred of comfort standing at my door
I have a small amount of solace waiting for me
And at least I've got the sense to reconstruct you
I have the knowledge to recreate my image of you
And leave me twice as lucid as before
This will make me twice as clear-headed as I was previously
And you left your mark
You left an impression on me
And you left your face in the corner of my mind three times
I remember your face vividly since it comes to my mind frequently
You left your mark
Your impact on me is significant
You left yourself
You left a part of yourself with me
And at least i've got the sense to sense what's coming
I'm able to anticipate what will happen next
And realize that good things never come to those that wait too long
I understand that waiting too long for good things will only result in disappointment
Contributed by Micah M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@brookefolan7569
What’s a girl gotta do to get this on Spotify?!?! 13 year old me needs this in 2023🖤
@DramaPrincess25
omg same
@mogs19
Seriously though
@kellymcardle7227
This song changed my life
@DinDOJ
I like it. I would've liked it a lot more with less 'Not-Matt' singing though.
@rentfriend
yeah that was me! sorry it's just so hard not to sing to his songs! (i was the one who shot the vid!)
@kellymcardle7227
I really found out I was gay to this song
@kellymcardle7227
I was so in love a girl so hard and I realized i was gay thank you Matt