From Here
Owens Lyrics

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Scrape you off the pavement
Just like I said I would
But I can't stand to watch the way
You break yourself against the ground
The things you are
The way you do
Shouldn't have a thing to do
With anyone but you

and it may be that things in your life
Are coming in too clear
Go ahead do the right thing
I'll just watch from here
Woo hoo hoo

you're banging on the screen door
Looking for the scraps
Any little piece of me
Anything that you can have
Well I'm so spent
I'm so gone
I don't have a thing you want

and it may be that things in your life
Are coming in too clear
Go ahead do the right thing
And I'll just watch from here
Woo hoo

I'm not the girl that you think you say
Popping my knuckles just waiting to fall

and it may be that things in your life
Are coming in too clear
Go ahead do the right thing
And I'll just watch from here
Woo hoo hoo

me not caring is the best thing happening to you

Overall Meaning

In "From Here," Owens addresses someone who is struggling and self-destructing. She paints a vivid picture of wanting to help but feeling helpless as the person continually throws themselves against the pavement. Owens says that the person's actions and decisions are their own responsibility and shouldn't have anything to do with anyone else.

The chorus is a detached observation of the person's life. Owens acknowledges the difficulty of the situation and tells the person to do what they need to do, implying that she will not be directly involved. The line "I'll just watch from here" is a poignant expression of distance and detachment. The repeated "woo hoo" at the end of the chorus is almost a mocking cheer, as if Owens recognizes the struggle but is also frustrated and ready for the person to move on.

In the final verse, Owens asserts her own agency and independence. She rejects the image someone else has of her and tells them that she will not be there to save them. The repeated chorus serves as a reminder that the person's actions are their own and ultimately, Owens cannot control or change them.

Line by Line Meaning

Scrape you off the pavement
I will help you get back up and start again.

Just like I said I would
I promised to assist you in your time of need.

But I can't stand to watch the way
I feel pain watching you hurt yourself.

You break yourself against the ground
You are causing harm to yourself by falling too often.

The things you are
Your choices and actions define who you are.

The way you do
The manner in which you do things is important.

Shouldn't have a thing to do
Others should not dictate how you live your life.

With anyone but you
You are responsible for your own destiny.

and it may be that things in your life
Perhaps you are experiencing overwhelming challenges.

Are coming in too clear
You see everything too vividly and it is overwhelming.

Go ahead do the right thing
Make the right decisions to improve your life.