Waving Through A Window
Original Broadway Cast of Dear Evan Hansen Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Before I even turn the key
Before I make the mistake
Before I lead with the worst of me
Give them no reason to stare
No slipping up if you slip away
So I got nothing to share
Step out, step out of the sun
If you keep getting burned
Step out, step out of the sun
Because you've learned, because you've learned
On the outside, always looking in
Will I ever be more than I've always been?
'Cause I'm tap, tap, tapping on the glass
I'm waving through a window
I try to speak, but nobody can hear
So I wait around for an answer to appear
While I'm watch, watch, watching people pass
I'm waving through a window, oh
Can anybody see, is anybody waving back at me?
We start with stars in our eyes
We start believing that we belong
But every sun doesn't rise
And no one tells you where you went wrong
Step out, step out of the sun
If you keep getting burned
Step out, step out of the sun
Because you've learned, because you've learned
On the outside, always looking in
Will I ever be more than I've always been?
'Cause I'm tap, tap, tapping on the glass
Waving through a window
I try to speak, but nobody can hear
So I wait around for an answer to appear
While I'm watch, watch, watching people pass
Waving through a window, oh
Can anybody see, is anybody waving?
When you're falling in a forest and there's nobody around
Do you ever really crash, or even make a sound?
When you're falling in a forest and there's nobody around
Do you ever really crash, or even make a sound?
When you're falling in a forest and there's nobody around
Do you ever really crash, or even make a sound?
When you're falling in a forest and there's nobody around
Do you ever really crash, or even make a sound?
Did I even make a sound?
Did I even make a sound?
It's like I never made a sound
Will I ever make a sound?
On the outside, always looking in
Will I ever be more than I've always been?
'Cause I'm tap, tap, tapping on the glass
Waving through a window
I try to speak, but nobody can hear
So I wait around for an answer to appear
While I'm watch, watch, watching people pass
Waving through a window, oh
Can anybody see, is anybody waving back at me? (oh)
Is anybody waving?
Waving, waving, whoa-oh, whoa-oh
The song "Waving Through A Window" from the musical Dear Evan Hansen can be interpreted as a reflection on the struggle of feeling invisible or like an outsider in society. The first verse portrays the feeling of insecurity of the singer, who has learned to hold back before opening up to people, avoiding making mistakes or showing the "worst" parts of themselves. The chorus talks about stepping out of the sun and away from things that hurt or burn, indicating a desire to protect oneself from the outside world. The second verse describes the singer's initial hope and high expectations of being accepted and belonging somewhere. But as the narrative shifts to the forest metaphor, it brings up the question of whether or not it even matters to make a sound when nobody is around to hear it, raising existential doubts.
The lines "On the outside, always looking in / Will I ever be more than I've always been?" demonstrate a feeling of frustration and longing for something more, for a chance to be seen and acknowledged. The repeated phrase "tapping on the glass" suggests a theme of trying to reach out but not being able to break through the barriers that keep the singer isolated. The final lines with the question "Is anybody waving?" seem to express a plea for any kind of response, a sign that the singer's efforts are not in vain, and that they can find a way to connect to others.
Overall, "Waving Through A Window" presents a poignant portrayal of the universal human experience of trying to find our place in the world, grappling with self-doubt, and seeking validation through connection. It reminds us that we are all fragile and that we need each other to make sense of life.
Line by Line Meaning
I've learned to slam on the brake
I've learned to slow down and think before making a mistake
Before I even turn the key
Before I even start something, I prepare myself to avoid failure
Before I make the mistake
Before potentially making a mistake, I take steps to avoid it
Before I lead with the worst of me
Before showing my flaws or negative aspects, I try to present my best self
Give them no reason to stare
I try not to draw attention to myself
No slipping up if you slip away
If I decide to back away, I do it without making a mistake or causing an issue
So I got nothing to share
I don't have anything to provide or express in a given situation
No, I got nothing to say
I don't have anything to communicate or express verbally
Step out, step out of the sun
Leave a situation that is causing you pain or discomfort
If you keep getting burned
If you stay in a harmful situation
Because you've learned, because you've learned
Because you've experienced the pain and learned from it
On the outside, always looking in
Feeling like an outsider, unable to connect with others
Will I ever be more than I've always been?
Will I ever be able to make a significant change in my life?
'Cause I'm tap, tap, tapping on the glass
Trying to break through to others, but unable to make an impact
I'm waving through a window
Trying to draw attention to myself and connect with others, but can't get through the glass barrier
I try to speak, but nobody can hear
I attempt to communicate my thoughts and feelings, but no one seems to listen or understand
So I wait around for an answer to appear
I patiently wait and hope for a solution, rather than actively seeking one
While I'm watch, watch, watching people pass
Observing those around me, feeling left out
Can anybody see, is anybody waving back at me?
Is anyone noticing me and attempting to connect?
We start with stars in our eyes
We begin with high hopes and dreams
We start believing that we belong
We think we fit in and have a place in society
But every sun doesn't rise
Not every day will be a good day
And no one tells you where you went wrong
No one provides guidance or feedback on what's causing your struggles
When you're falling in a forest and there's nobody around
When you're struggling and have no one to turn to for help or support
Do you ever really crash, or even make a sound?
Are your struggles even noticed or acknowledged if no one is around to see or hear them?
Did I even make a sound?
Did anyone notice or care about my struggles?
It's like I never made a sound
My struggles went unnoticed and unaddressed
Will I ever make a sound?
Will anyone ever take notice of my struggles and provide support?
Waving, waving, whoa-oh, whoa-oh
Continuously trying to connect and make an impact, despite the odds
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Benj Pasek, Justin Paul
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@desireefernandes4205
I've learned to slam on the brake
Before I even turn the key
Before I make the mistake
Before I lead with the worst of me
Give them no reason to stare
No slipping up if you slip away
So I got nothing to share
No, I got nothing to say
Step out, step out of the sun
If you keep getting burned
Step out, step out of the sun
Because you've learned, because you've
learned
On the outside, always looking in
Will I ever be more than I've always been?
'Cause I'm tap, tap, tapping on the glass
I'm waving through a window
I try to speak, but nobody can hear
So I wait around for an answer to appear
While I'm watch, watch, watching people
pass
I'm waving through a window, oh
Can anybody see, is anybody waving back
at me?
We start with stars in our eyes
We start believing that we belong
But every sun doesn't rise
And no one tells you where you went
wrong
Step out, step out of the sun
If you keep getting burned
Step out, step out of the sun
Because you've learned, because you've
learned
On the outside, always looking in
Will I ever be more than I've always been?
'Cause I'm tap, tap, tapping on the glass
Waving through a window
I try to speak, but nobody can hear
So I wait around for an answer to appear
While I'm watch, watch, watching people
pass
Waving through a window, oh
Can anybody see, is anybody waving?
When you're falling in a forest and there's
nobody around
Do you ever really crash, or even make a
sound?
When you're falling in a forest and there's
nobody around
Do you ever really crash, or even make a
sound?
When you're falling in a forest and there's
nobody around
Do you ever really crash, or even make a
sound?
When you're falling in a forest and there's
nobody around
Do you ever really crash, or even make a
sound?
Did I even make a sound?
Did I even make a sound?
It's like I never made a sound
Will I ever make a sound?
On the outside, always looking in
Will I ever be more than I've always been?
'Cause I'm tap, tap, tapping on the glass
Waving through a window
I try to speak, but nobody can hear
So I wait around for an answer to appear
While I'm watch, watch, watching people
pass
Waving through a window, oh
Can anybody see, is anybody waving back
at me? (oh)
Is anybody waving?
Waving, waving, whoa-oh, whoa-oh
@sophiaredwood5825
Annalise Wedewer Woah, mind blown, I literally just realized that that is exactly how my friend group formed. And it makes perfect sense! Aaa!!
Also, don’t apologize for rambling. I’m a writer by nature, I read and write without stopping so I’ve surely burdened many who try to read my long comments 😂 but I will usually never be bothered by a long comment to read. ESPECIALLY if it’s sincere and interesting. So you’re perfectly fine 😊
As for speaking intellectually? Hmm, lately I resort to thought-provoking questions or hypothetical situations (some stupidly fun, others actually super interesting)... Like... “If all of a sudden you met your future child and they were your age because of some time-related thing, and they knew you were their (younger) parent, how do you think the conversation would go? Any interests you think you both would have? How would your friends react if the same thing happened to them?”
Also stuff like, “What is a donut without a hole?” or “Why is hot chocolate called what it is despite its actual temperature?” and stuff to that effect, haha.
I also tend to think a lot about people and interactions and identity and stuff but that could be a bit long 😂
@rainingwhenidie
"we start with stars in our eyes
we start believing that we belong
but every sun doesn't rise
and no one tells you where you went wrong"
Hits SOOO hard. They're my favorite lines in the song
@prvatenbody8805
Don’t tap on the window.
It ANGERS the g l a s s .
@devin1395
this is so cursed but I love it
@carmellaruss3414
- fish in tank
@joselitotejada9631
I tried tapping on the glass, the next day, the glass tapped on me.
@bababooey3534
Angry g l a s s
@meepbeep2029
Why is this funny-
@cffee3288
“What does anxiety feel like?”
Me: aggressively points
@stitch_playz9710
Cøffee it feels like you're always being watched In normal anxiety. With social anxiety it feels they will think you're weird, or they will hate you if you talk to them. There are many forms.
@ValeskaTAdams
@Cøffee
XDXDXDXDXDXDXDXD I’ll just sing it! 😂👍
@margothbarrios3488
@@stitch_playz9710 yeah, mine is that I'm worried that I'll offend someone and then everyone will hate me