Following 11.5 million hits on youtube and almost 80k likes on Facebook, Gartland independently released her first single in 2011 which reached top 10 iTunes placement in over 17 countries. Since then, 2 EPs have followed.
Lonely People
Orla Gartland Lyrics
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cynical eyes, scanning the room for meaning
maybe youth is wasted on the young, our loss
Travel in parks, drinking our teenage spirit
Maybe we're all clean cut criminals
running fast to blur the visuals
And I'm not sure I've got the heart for this
If we're brave enough
we won't save it up for later
come on show me what
come on show me what you're made of
start the engine up
come on show me what you're made of
we're not damaged goods, maybe we're just lonely people
And I feel like we're total strangers, so I
Monopoly minds, following blind to danger
This feels like a race against the clock, tick tock
And all of our tears, rolling off silver medals
not sure I've got the heart for this
maybe that's the hardest part of it
If we're brave enough
we won't save it up for later
come on show me what
come on show me what you're made of
start the engine up
come on show me what you're made of
we're not damaged goods, maybe we're just lonely people
Don't you save a word for later, tell me just what you're thinking
give me something to believe in
Don't you save a word for later, tell me just what you're thinking
give me something to believe in
Do we have the time to justify
All these sins we try and glorify
I think we're gonna regret these haircuts
If we're brave enough
we won't save it up for later
come on show me what
come on show me what you're made of
start the engine up
come on show me what you're made of
we're not damaged goods, maybe we're just lonely people
Don't you save a word for later, tell me just what you're thinking
give me something to believe in
maybe we're just lonely people
Don't you save a word for later, tell me just what you're thinking
give me something to believe in
maybe we're just lonely people
The lyrics of Orla Gartland's song Lonely People describe the complexities and confusion of being young and searching for love and connection. The song deals with the idea that as teenagers and young adults, we often feel lost, lonely and disconnected from those around us. The first verse speaks of the youthful confusion that surrounds the concept of love and how it can be difficult to find meaning in the world around us. It references the idea that we may be too young to understand what love really is, and that our youth may be wasted on us. The reference to "drinking our teenage spirit" suggests the idea that young people often numb their feelings of loneliness by engaging in reckless behavior.
The chorus speaks to the idea that if we have the courage to be vulnerable and open with each other, we can break down the walls that separate us and find the connection we are looking for. The line "we're not damaged goods, maybe we're just lonely people" suggests that we are all struggling in some way and that we should not judge each other for our imperfections. The second verse speaks to feeling like strangers among those around us, referencing the idea of "Monopoly minds, following blind to danger." The line "all of our tears, rolling off silver medals" illustrates the idea that we often feel like we are competing with each other, rather than supporting and connecting with one another.
Overall, the song is a poignant reflection on the difficulties of being young and navigating the complexities of finding love and connection. It is a call for vulnerability and courage in the face of loneliness and encourages listeners to connect with one another despite feelings of inadequacy and isolation.
Line by Line Meaning
We're too young to know what love is, our loss
At our age, we are still inexperienced in love and it is unfortunate
cynical eyes, scanning the room for meaning
We are searching for purpose and substance with a doubtful attitude
maybe youth is wasted on the young, our loss
Perhaps being young is a wasted opportunity and we'll never get it back
Travel in parks, drinking our teenage spirit
We roam around in green spaces, consuming and indulging in our adolescent passions
Maybe we're all clean cut criminals
We may seem put together on the surface, but we all have our own vices and flaws
running fast to blur the visuals
We try to distract ourselves from reality by keeping busy and moving quickly
And I'm not sure I've got the heart for this
I am uncertain if I have the courage and determination to face these challenges
maybe that's the hardest part of it
Perhaps the most difficult aspect is not knowing how to confront it
If we're brave enough
If we can summon the courage
we won't save it up for later
We won't put off dealing with it until another time
come on show me what
Demonstrate to me
come on show me what you're made of
Prove your worth and capabilities to me
start the engine up
Let's get going and take action
we're not damaged goods, maybe we're just lonely people
We're not inherently broken or damaged, maybe we just feel alone
And I feel like we're total strangers, so I
I sense a distance and disconnection between us
Monopoly minds, following blind to danger
We are like players in a game, too focused on winning and ignoring potential risks
This feels like a race against the clock, tick tock
It feels like we are racing against time, with limited seconds before it's too late
And all of our tears, rolling off silver medals
Our pain and suffering are trivialized or ignored, like medals that don't mean much
Don't you save a word for later, tell me just what you're thinking
Don't withhold your thoughts, express them to me now
give me something to believe in
Provide me with a reason to stay hopeful and optimistic
Do we have the time to justify
Do we have the luxury of time to make excuses for our actions
All these sins we try and glorify
The wrongdoings we commit are sometimes made to seem admirable or praiseworthy
I think we're gonna regret these haircuts
I have a feeling we'll look back and realize we made poor choices
Don't you save a word for later, tell me just what you're thinking
Once again, don't hold back your thoughts
give me something to believe in
Reiterate the importance of having faith and belief
maybe we're just lonely people
Perhaps all we feel is the isolation of loneliness
Contributed by Sophie O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.