Yorn started as a drummer who also played guitar. In 1990, he was drumming for his band in a high school talent contest when someone suggested he sing the Replacements song "Talent Show." That went over so well, a competing band asked him to sing Neil Young’s "Rockin' In the Free World" with them.
He was first recognized when the Farrelly brothers picked "Strange Condition" for their film Me, Myself & Irene.
He has gained increasing popularity following the use of his song "Just Another" on popular WB television show Dawson's Creek.
Another of his songs, Murray was used in the credits of the film Igby Goes Down
The song "Undercover" was used in the first Spiderman movie and appears on the soundtrack.
The song "Lose You" was used in the closing of an episode of House on Fox.
All At Once
Pete Yorn Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And it isn't hard to see
But the old man in the kitchen
I think he's part of me
Don't say nothing bout the old house
Cause I burned it to the ground
And when the darkness comes,
I lie awakePlaying lost and found
All at once
I break my silence
All at once
There's no more hiding
And all he wants
Is to show us how he feels
They're all liars in the back room
Watch them all go down
They can tell you what you want to hear
But they will never stick around
So don't say nothing 'bout the old house
Cause I burned it to the ground
And when the darkness comes
I'll lie and wait
Still playing lost and found
All at once
I break my silence
All at once
There's no more hiding
And all he wants
Is to show us how he feels
When he comes around
Do not tell him nothing
Do not make a sound
Cause if he knows we're thereHe might tear his heart out
And beat us to death with it
I was too young to understand.
The lyrics of Pete Yorn's song "All at Once" express a sense of inner turmoil and conflict that the singer is experiencing. The opening lines reveal the singer's tendency to get into a certain state or mood. He acknowledges that this is not something that is difficult to notice. The reference to the "old man in the kitchen" hints at some sort of internal conflict or unresolved issues that he is struggling with. He seems to suggest that this old man is a part of him, perhaps representing a darker or troubled version of himself.
The singer then warns not to mention anything about the old house, as he burned it to the ground. This could be symbolic of destroying a part of himself or his past that he wants to forget. When darkness comes, he lies awake, playing lost and found, which could mean he is searching for answers or resolution to his inner turmoil.
As the chorus kicks in, the singer declares that he is breaking his silence and there is no more hiding. There might be a sense of catharsis in this declaration, as he is finally opening up about his feelings. The repetition of the phrase "all at once" emphasizes the suddenness of his transformation. The final lines, "And all he wants is to show us how he feels," could be interpreted as the singer's desire to be understood and accepted despite feeling flawed or conflicted.
Line by Line Meaning
Every now and then I get like this
Occasionally, I experience this particular state of mind.
And it isn't hard to see
It is quite evident and noticeable.
But the old man in the kitchen
However, I perceive that the older man in the kitchen is a part of me.
I think he's part of me
I believe that he represents a part of myself.
Don't say nothing bout the old house
Please refrain from mentioning the old house.
Cause I burned it to the ground
I destroyed it completely by setting it on fire.
And when the darkness comes,
When the night arrives,
I lie awake
I stay awake,
Playing lost and found
Recalling old memories and missing something that has been lost.
All at once
Suddenly,
I break my silence
I stop being quiet and speak up.
There's no more hiding
I am no longer concealing my true self.
And all he wants
The older man in the kitchen, representing a part of myself, desires
Is to show us how he feels
To express his emotions and how he truly feels.
They're all liars in the back room
The people in the back room are all dishonest individuals.
Watch them all go down
Observe as their lives start to unravel.
They can tell you what you want to hear
They are capable of saying what you want to listen to.
But they will never stick around
However, they will not remain in your life.
So don't say nothing 'bout the old house
Therefore, please don't bring up the destroyed old house.
And when the darkness comes
When the night approaches,
I'll lie and wait
I will lie down and wait,
Still playing lost and found
Continuing the search for what was lost.
When he comes around
When the older man returns,
Do not tell him nothing
Please do not inform him of anything.
Do not make a sound
Stay quiet and still.
Cause if he knows we're there
Because if he is aware of our presence there,
He might tear his heart out And beat us to death with it
He might become extremely emotional and hurt himself, potentially harming us as well.
I was too young to understand.
I was too young to comprehend the situation at the time.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Peter J. Yorn
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind