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.
How Do You Go On?
Pete Yorn Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And turned it all around
Yeah, see them all over there?
They did it just like you
Oh, back to the beginning
And start it all again?
Never...
How do you go on?Go on
Now you go on... how'd you go on?
You go 'round again
Wake up for the city lights
Baby don't know me
Baby don't understand
Wake up for the city
How'd you go on?
Go on
Now you go on
How'd you go, how do you go on?
Don't wait for me
There's no lies between us
Don't leave with me the rest of our live
How'd you go on?
Go on
Now you go on
How do you go...
How do you go... on?
How do you go on?
Go on
How do you go... on?
Go back to the beginning
And start it all again... never
The lyrics to Pete Yorn's "How Do You Go On" speaks to the struggle of finding one's way in life after experiencing a major setback. The first two lines of the song paint a picture of someone who has achieved a great deal of success in their career, but for whatever reason, they must start over. The following lines suggest that there are others who have faced similar circumstances and have managed to rebuild their lives, but the singer is skeptical about their own ability to do so. The chorus repeats the question, "How do you go on?" emphasizing the struggle of moving forward in the face of adversity.
The second verse of the song introduces a sense of isolation and loneliness. The singer wakes up to the city lights, but feels that no one truly knows or understands them. The repetition of the refrain, "How do you go on?" suggests that this sense of disconnection is a common experience for those who are in the process of rebuilding their lives. The final lines of the song suggest that the singer may be contemplating leaving someone they care about, but ultimately decides to move forward alone.
Overall, "How Do You Go On" is a poignant exploration of the emotional challenges that come with starting over after facing a major setback. The repetition of the question, "How do you go on?" underscores the difficulty of this process, while the sense of isolation and disconnection in the second verse highlights the emotional toll it can take.
Line by Line Meaning
Came back from this big career
Returned from a successful and accomplished career venture
And turned it all around
Changed direction and shifted focus completely
Yeah, see them all over there?
Noticed others who are in a similar position
They did it just like you
They also made significant changes and transitions in their career
Oh, back to the beginning
Starting anew
And start it all again? Never...
Repeating the same cycle is not an option
How do you go on?
How do you continue moving forward?
Go on
Keep pushing forward
Now you go on... how'd you go on?
Encouragement to persevere despite obstacles encountered
You go 'round again
Starting again and again until achieving success
Wake up for the city lights
Yearning for the excitement of city life and everything it has to offer
Baby don't know me
Need to reinvent oneself and start anew so others cannot associate them with their past
Baby don't understand
Others may not comprehend the need for change
Don't wait for me
Do not depend on others for support or to wait for you
There's no lies between us
No dishonesty present in the decisions being made
Don't leave with me the rest of our lives
Do not continue doing what is safe and easy but unfulfilling for the rest of your life
How do you go...
Wondering how to overcome the fear and uncertainty that accompanies change
How do you go on?
Questioning how to continue moving forward despite setbacks and challenges
Go on
Keep persevering and pushing forward
How do you go... on?
Reiterating the importance of not giving up and continuing to move forward
Go back to the beginning
Start anew and make changes accordingly
And start it all again... never
While it is important to start anew, repeating the same cycle and mistakes is not an option
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
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