I Wasn't There
Nathan Hawes Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I've been spending a little to much time on my phone.
Reading nothing, Why won't it leave me alone.
Looking back on what I've done, or have I done it right?
I won't sleep alone till I've won the fight.
Till I've won the fight.

So but I wasn't there for you, for me.
So that I wasn't there for you for me,

So but I wasn't there for you for me,
So but I wasn't there for you or me,
So now I realise, I can be who I want to be.

I've been holding to words that are cursing it home.
Oh leaving nothing, why won't it leave me alone.
The day's roll on, now I stay they go in a wink.
I won't sleep alone, till I've won the fight.
Till I've won the fight.

I've spending a little to much time on my phone.
Reading nothing, why won't it leave me alone?
Looking back on what I've done, have I done it right?

I won't sleep alone till I've, won the fight.
Till I've won the fight.

Overall Meaning

The song "I Wasn't There" by Nathan Hawes is a reflective ballad that delves into the emotions of a man who realizes that he may have been neglectful in his relationships, specifically with his significant other. He admits to spending too much time on his phone, reading "nothing", which may imply that he has been ignoring important messages or calls. He questions whether he has done everything right in his life and is afraid to sleep alone until he resolves his inner turmoil.

The chorus is a repetition of "So but I wasn't there for you, for me" which signifies that his absence has affected not only his partner but himself as well. He realizes that he has been holding onto negative thoughts, words that bring him down, and that he needs to let go of them to move forward in his relationships. The final line, "So now I realize, I can be who I want to be", is the culmination of his realization that he needs to change for the better, to become a better partner and a better person.

Overall, the song explores the emotions of someone who comes to terms with their faults and recognizes the need for change.

Line by Line Meaning

I've been spending a little too much time on my phone.
I have been using my phone excessively.

Reading nothing, why won't it leave me alone?
Despite reading or doing nothing, I cannot seem to detach myself from my phone.

Looking back on what I've done, or have I done it right?
Reflecting on my past actions, I question whether I made the correct choices.

I won't sleep alone till I've won the fight. Till I've won the fight.
I am determined to resolve any internal conflict before allowing myself to sleep alone.

So but I wasn't there for you, for me.
I regret not being present for you or for my own wellbeing.

So that I wasn't there for you or me,
My absence was detrimental for both you and myself.

So but I wasn't there for you for me,
My failure to be present affected both you and me negatively.

So now I realize, I can be who I want to be.
I have come to the realization that I have the power to be whoever I aspire to be.

I've been holding to words that are cursing it home.
I have been holding onto negative thoughts and emotions that are leading to a toxic environment.

Oh leaving nothing, why won't it leave me alone.
Despite having nothing to cling to, I cannot seem to shake off the negativity.

The day's roll on, now I stay they go in a wink.
Time seems to pass by quickly and with little significance.

I won't sleep alone till I've won the fight. Till I've won the fight.
I am determined to overcome any internal struggles before allowing myself to sleep alone.

I've spending a little too much time on my phone.
My excessive use of my phone has become a problem.

Reading nothing, why won't it leave me alone?
Despite having nothing to read or do on my phone, I cannot seem to detach myself from it.

Looking back on what I've done, have I done it right?
I am questioning the validity of my past actions and whether they were the correct choices.

I won't sleep alone till I've, won the fight. Till I've won the fight.
I am committed to overcoming any internal conflict before allowing myself to sleep alone.

Contributed by Ian L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

TRACKS