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.
Dancin' in the Dark
Pete Yorn Lyrics
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And I ain't got nothing to say
I come home in the morning
I go to bed feeling the same way
I ain't nothing but tired
Man I'm just tired and bored with myself
Hey there baby I could use just a little help
You can't start a fire
You can't start a fire without a spark
This guns for hire
Even if were just dancing in the dark
Message keeps getting clearer
Radios on and I'm moving round the place
I check my look in the mirror
I want to change my clothes, my hair, my face
Man I ain't getting nowhere just living
In a dump like this
There's something happening somewhere
Baby I just know that there is
You can't start a fire
You sit around getting older
There's a joke here somewhere and its on me
Ill shake this world off my shoulder
Come on baby the laughs on me
Stay on the streets of this town
And they'll be carving you up all right
They say you gotta stay hungry
Hey baby I'm just about starving tonight
I'm dying for some action
I'm sick of sitting round here trying to writeThis book
I need a love reaction
Come on now baby gimme just one look
You can't start a fire sitting round crying
Over a broken heart
This guns for hire
Even if were just dancing in the dark
You can't start a fire worrying about
Your little world falling apart
This guns for hire
Even if were just dancing in the dark
Even if were just dancing in the dark
The lyrics to Pete Yorn's song "Dancin' in the Dark" are a portrayal of boredom, frustration, and the desire for change. The first verse sets the tone for the song, with the singer expressing their exhaustion and discontent with their routine of going to work and coming back home every day. They look to someone for help, to break them out of their monotony. The chorus expands on this idea, with the singer describing how you can't achieve anything without taking action and creating a spark. They refer to themselves as a "gun for hire," perhaps suggesting that they're willing to take risks and make a change. Even if all they're doing is "dancing in the dark," they're still getting out there and trying to make something happen.
The second verse continues the theme of wanting change. The singer is listening to the radio, trying to motivate themselves, and feeling stuck in their current situation. They look in the mirror, dissatisfied with their appearance, and want to transform themselves entirely. The bridge before the chorus is self-deprecating, with the singer saying that if they don't do something, they'll end up the subject of a joke. The line "Ill shake this world off my shoulder" suggests that the singer is tired of feeling weighed down and wants to break free from their current circumstances. They want to see some action and get a "love reaction," which could mean either a relationship or a positive response to their creative endeavors.
Overall, the lyrics of "Dancin' in the Dark" are about wanting to break free from a stagnant existence and take control of one's life. They encourage the listener to take risks, even if it means just dancing in the dark.
Line by Line Meaning
I get up in the evening
I wake up late in the day
And I ain't got nothing to say
I don't have anything interesting to say
I come home in the morning
I come back home after a night out
I go to bed feeling the same way
I feel the same way when I go to bed
I ain't nothing but tired
I'm very tired
Man I'm just tired and bored with myself
I'm bored with myself and my life
Hey there baby I could use just a little help
I need some help to get me out of this feeling
You can't start a fire
You need a spark to start a fire
You can't start a fire without a spark
You can't start a fire without a little inspiration
This guns for hire
I'm willing to do whatever it takes
Even if were just dancing in the dark
Even if what we're doing isn't very important or meaningful
Message keeps getting clearer
I'm getting more and more focused
Radios on and I'm moving round the place
I'm listening to music and dancing around
I check my look in the mirror
I'm looking at myself in the mirror
I want to change my clothes, my hair, my face
I want to change my appearance and style
Man I ain't getting nowhere just living
I'm not getting anywhere just by existing
In a dump like this
In a place I don't like
There's something happening somewhere
I feel like something exciting is happening somewhere
Baby I just know that there is
I have a feeling that there is
You can't start a fire
You can't make progress without taking a risk
You sit around getting older
You're just getting older without doing anything
There's a joke here somewhere and its on me
I'm the joke, I'm not achieving anything
Ill shake this world off my shoulder
I'll get rid of my negative thoughts
Come on baby the laughs on me
I'm okay with being the joke, let's have fun
Stay on the streets of this town
If you stay in this town, you'll have problems
And they'll be carving you up all right
People will criticize and hurt you
They say you gotta stay hungry
You need to stay motivated
Hey baby I'm just about starving tonight
I'm really motivated and hungry for success
I'm dying for some action
I want to do something exciting
I'm sick of sitting round here trying to write
I'm tired of trying to write something without inspiration
This book
This creative project
I need a love reaction
I need someone or something to inspire me
Come on now baby gimme just one look
Please give me some inspiration, even just a little bit
You can't start a fire sitting round crying
You can't achieve anything by being sad and doing nothing
Over a broken heart
Because of a breakup or a failure
You can't start a fire worrying about
You can't make progress if you're too worried
Your little world falling apart
If your small world is crumbling
Even if were just dancing in the dark
Even if what we're doing isn't very important or meaningful
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Bruce Springsteen
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind