Headphones
Matt Nathanson Lyrics

Oh, oh (headphones on on)
The singer has his headphones on and is tuning out the world around him.

Cinderella's gone to New York City
This is a metaphor, meaning that someone has left their old life behind and is trying to start anew.

Wants to shave her hair and disappear
This person wants to make a drastic change to their appearance and completely start over.

18 years of never feeling pretty
This person has always struggled with self-doubt and insecurity about their appearance.

Says she's finally thinking clear
After making a major change in her life, this person feels like she can finally think straight.

Ain't too proud to swim or drown now baby
This person is willing to take risks and try new things, regardless of the outcome.

Ain't too proud to sink or see it through
This person is willing to face the consequences of their actions, no matter what.

She said everybody wants to be with me
This person feels like everyone is attracted to them and wants to be around them.

I've got all I need (all I need)
Despite what others may think, this person feels like they have everything they need.

I feel invincible with my headphones on
The singer feels like he can do anything while he has his headphones on, because he is tuning out the negativity around him.

Everybody pose for magazines (oh)
This person sees others putting on a facade in order to be viewed favorably by the public.

All just noise to me (noise to me)
To this person, the posturing of others is just background noise that doesn't even register on their radar.

If anybody comes around to find me
If someone is looking for this person, they won't be able to find them because they are lost in their music.

Tell 'em all I'm in the deep end singing
This person is comfortable being alone and lost in their thoughts and music.

If this music's in my head
The music is what grounds this person and helps them find inner peace.

People talking in their sleep
This line is a metaphor for people who are just going through the motions in life without really living or being present.

Can't see the forest for the trees
This means that people are too caught up in the details to see the bigger picture.

It's all scratch ticket lottery oh oh oh
This person sees life as a game of chance, where nothing is guaranteed.

Brave new world same old crowd
This is a reference to the book "Brave New World", and means that even in a new, supposedly perfect world, people are still the same.

Good things wish but bad things shout
This person feels like negativity and bad experiences in life are more impactful and memorable than positive ones.

I don't hear 'em now (oh)
This person has tuned out the noise of the world and is lost in their own thoughts and music.

With my headphones on
The singer is once again emphasizing the importance of his headphones in helping him tune out the world and feel like he can conquer anything.

I feel invincible with my headphones on
The headphones give this person a sense of safety and empowerment, allowing them to feel like they can take on anything.