Next To You
Matt Skiba & Kevin Seconds Lyrics

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You're walking the thin line,
between here and out of control,
but you kept me in mind,
you've got the papercuts to prove it,
and your sea sick smile,
screams sweet nausea,
seventy six was a good year for me,
its been uphill since and...

Chorus
Don't cry,
or stop to wonder why,
we crashed out like thunder,
on the floor or down from the ceiling,
it's been nice waking up next to you.

And ya crossed the line,
between here and out of this world,
ya blow my mind,
like a Colt forty five everytime,

Chorus x2

And our sea sick smiles,
are screaming home sweet home...

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "Next to You" by Matt Skiba & Kevin Seconds evoke a sense of an intense and tumultuous relationship. The opening lines, "You're walking the thin line, between here and out of control, but you kept me in mind," suggest that the person being addressed is teetering between stability and chaos. Despite this, they still hold a place for the singer in their thoughts.

The mention of "papercuts" alludes to the pain and emotional wounds that the person has experienced. It implies that they have gone through difficult times, but the scars they bear are proof that they have survived.

The line "your sea sick smile, screams sweet nausea" is a vivid metaphor for the conflicting emotions within the person. Their smile may appear pleasant on the surface, but it signifies inner turmoil and discomfort. This juxtaposition of emotions is conveyed through the image of being seasick, evoking a feeling of being unsettled and out of balance.

The mention of the year "seventy six" being a good year for the singer suggests that they experienced some form of personal triumph or happiness in the past. However, since then, life has been an uphill battle, implying that they have faced numerous challenges.

The chorus shifts the focus to the dynamics of the relationship and the aftermath of its end. The plea to "not cry, or stop to wonder why" suggests a desire to move on and not dwell on the pain caused by the breakup. The mention of crashing out like thunder reinforces the sense of a dramatic and explosive ending.

The line "it's been nice waking up next to you" in the chorus implies a sense of nostalgia and appreciation for the time that was spent together, despite the eventual separation.

The second verse continues with the discussion of crossing boundaries and the impact the person has on the singer. The phrase "ya blow my mind, like a Colt forty five every time" suggests that the person has a powerful and intoxicating effect on the singer. The reference to a Colt forty five could be a metaphor for their ability to mentally overpower the singer.

The repetition of the chorus amplifies the emotional weight of the song, emphasizing the pain and longing associated with the relationship's end.

Overall, "Next to You" portrays a complex and intense relationship, exploring themes of emotional turmoil, nostalgia, and the lasting impact of past connections.

Line by Line Meaning

You're walking the thin line
You are dangerously close to losing control

between here and out of control
between being in a stable state and losing control completely

but you kept me in mind
but you remembered me

you've got the papercuts to prove it
you have the scars to show your efforts

and your sea sick smile
and your smile that shows mixed feelings or discomfort

screams sweet nausea
expresses a bittersweet feeling of discomfort

seventy six was a good year for me
the year seventy six was a positive time in my life

its been uphill since and...
things have been getting better since then

Don't cry, or stop to wonder why
Don't be sad or waste time pondering the reasons

we crashed out like thunder
our separation came suddenly and forcefully

on the floor or down from the ceiling
whether falling to the floor or descending from the ceiling