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.
Black
Pete Yorn Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And two is a crowd
And gold rim is an answer
And black is a crowd
I am just for you
As you are not for me
So even if you stop
You could never try to answer anyone
You could never start and see
What you're doing to me
Kiss oh, they were the ones
And dressed
Like something so special
And death is to begin
Caress I think it's a sin
I was alone
Until you took me away
You could never stop
Your sitting here by yourself
You could never try to argue anyone
You would never stop and see
What you're doing to me
Oh, I'm alone
While they were standing
Next to you
And days were long
And there was time
Just you wait and see
Waiting for a bottle of truth
I'm just a lonely guy
In my youth
And waiting for you
It's all I want to do
You could never stop
You sitting all by yourself
You could never try to answer anything
You will never stop and see
What's you're doing to me
Oh, what you're doing to me
Oh, what you're doing to me
Oh, what are you doing to me?
Oh, yeah ooh
The song "Black" by Pete Yorn is a melancholic and introspective tune that explores the emotions of a person who feels alone despite being in the company of others. The lyrics use the color black as a metaphor for the feeling of isolation and the sense of being an outsider. The first verse says "Black is a cast, and two is a crowd, and gold rim is an answer, and black is a crowd". Here, the color black represents the feeling of being cast out or excluded, while gold rim might symbolize something that people follow blindly, just like a flock.
The second verse talks about the attraction between the singer and the object of his affection, who seems to be unaware of his feelings. He says that he is "just for you, as you are not for me". The chorus repeats the lines "You could never stop, you're sitting here by yourself. You could never try to answer anyone, you could never start and see, what you're doing to me". In this context, the singer seems to be frustrated because the person he is interested in is not paying attention to him, and he can never seem to get through to them.
The third verse describes how the singer used to feel alone until the other person came into his life. However, even though they are now together, he still feels excluded from their inner circle, and he is waiting for them to notice and accept him. The song ends with the repeated lines "Oh, what you're doing to me. Oh, what you're doing to me. Oh, what are you doing to me? Oh, yeah ooh".
Overall, the song "Black" is a poignant and introspective reflection on the complexities of human emotions, particularly the feeling of being excluded and misunderstood.
Line by Line Meaning
Black is a cast
Feeling of burden and restriction, something that weighs on you.
And two is a crowd
Being with someone else can sometimes cause more problems than being alone.
And gold rim is an answer
Something that looks good on the surface but lacks depth or meaning.
And black is a crowd
Feeling overwhelmed by negative thoughts and emotions.
I am just for you
Willingness to devote oneself to another person, regardless of whether or not it is reciprocated.
As you are not for me
Feeling unrequited love or devotion towards someone.
So even if you stop
Reiterating that the other person does not have the same level of devotion or commitment.
Your sitting here by yourself
Emphasizing the other person's isolation and loneliness.
You could never try to answer anyone
The other person is unable or unwilling to help or support anyone else.
You could never start and see
The other person lacks introspection or self-awareness.
What you're doing to me
Expressing frustration and pain caused by the other person's actions or inaction.
Kiss oh, they were the ones
Memories of past relationships and missed opportunities.
And dressed
Remembering specific details or moments in time.
Like something so special
The feeling of something being unique or one-of-a-kind.
And death is to begin
Awareness of one's own mortality and the fleeting nature of time.
Caress I think it's a sin
Feeling guilty or ashamed about physical intimacy or affection.
I was alone
Feeling lonely or isolated without a significant other.
Until you took me away
Feeling rescued or saved by someone else's presence.
You could never stop
The other person is unresponsive or detached.
Your sitting here by yourself
Emphasizing the other person's isolation and loneliness.
You could never try to argue anyone
The other person is unwilling to engage in meaningful conversation or debate.
You would never stop and see
Emphasizing the other person's lack of introspection or self-awareness.
Oh, I'm alone
Feeling separate or apart from the rest of the world.
While they were standing
Feeling left out or excluded from a conversation or social situation.
Next to you
Being physically close to the other person but still feeling distant emotionally.
And days were long
Remembering a time in the past when things seemed simpler or easier.
And there was time
Having the luxury of free time and not feeling rushed or harried.
Just you wait and see
Hoping for a better future, despite present difficulties.
Waiting for a bottle of truth
Seeking clarity or understanding about a particular topic or issue.
I'm just a lonely guy
Reiterating the feeling of loneliness and isolation.
In my youth
Implying that these feelings were particularly acute during a certain time period.
And waiting for you
Desiring the other person's presence and affection.
It's all I want to do
Emphasizing the importance of the other person in one's life.
Oh, what you're doing to me
Expressing frustration and pain caused by the other person's actions or inaction, one final time.
Oh, what you're doing to me
Repeating the previous line as a refrain.
Oh, what are you doing to me?
Asking a rhetorical question that emphasizes the theme of unrequited love and emotional distance.
Oh, yeah ooh
A final musical flourish, intended to create a sense of closure or resolution.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Peter J. Yorn
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind