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.
This Fire
Pete Yorn Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You never move forward when you're looking back
You fall in and out of love with yourself
Makes you wanna crawl back into your shell
And this fire
This fire's burned out
I can't blame myselfIf you're walking out
Killing yourself in slow motion
Waving from the bottom of the ocean
I'll swim back to land just let me in
Tell me can we ever begin again?
And this fire
This fire's burned out
I can't blame myself
If you're walking out
Staring at the cold white walls
Waiting on a slow dissolve
Don't know how to carry on
Knowing that moment has gone
Maybe for once in your life
Maybe for once in your life
Tell me why you're always running off the track
You never move forward when you're looking back
And this fire
And this fire's burned out
I can't blame myselfIf you're walking out
Staring at the cold white walls
Waiting on a slow dissolve
Don't know how to carry on
Knowing that moment is gone
And this fire's burned out
I can't blame myself
If you're walking out
This fire
This fire's burned out
End this fire
The lyrics from Pete Yorn's song "This Fire" touch upon themes of introspection, self-destructive behavior, and the inevitability of change. The opening lines question why the listener is constantly drifting off course and dwelling on past mistakes, hindering personal growth and progress. The imagery of falling in and out of love with oneself suggests a lack of self-acceptance and inner turmoil, leading to a desire to withdraw from the world and retreat into isolation.
The repeated refrain of "This fire's burned out" alludes to a sense of exhaustion and resignation, as the singer recognizes that the passion or spark in the relationship has faded. There is a sense of resignation and acceptance in this acknowledgment, as they realize they cannot solely bear the blame for the relationship falling apart if the other person is walking away.
The lines "Killing yourself in slow motion / Waving from the bottom of the ocean" evoke a sense of drowning in one's own struggles and self-destructive patterns. The plea to "let me in" suggests a desire for connection and a willingness to salvage what remains of the relationship, questioning whether a fresh start is possible after all the damage that has been done.
The final verses paint a picture of desolation and uncertainty, with the singer staring at the walls and grappling with the passage of time. The repetition of "This fire's burned out" reinforces the idea of finality and closure, acknowledging that certain moments and relationships come to an end, even if it is painful to accept. The urgency to "End this fire" signifies a need to move on and extinguish the remnants of what once burned brightly, signaling a readiness to let go and embrace what comes next.
Line by Line Meaning
Tell me why you're always running off the track
Questioning why you constantly stray off course in life
You never move forward when you're looking back
Reflecting on the fact that dwelling on the past hinders progress
You fall in and out of love with yourself
Experiencing fluctuations in self-acceptance and confidence
Makes you wanna crawl back into your shell
Feeling the urge to retreat into isolation to avoid facing challenges
And this fire
Referring to the passion or intensity in a situation
This fire's burned out
Acknowledging that the passion or intensity has faded
I can't blame myself
Expressing a sense of helplessness or resignation in a situation
If you're walking out
Accepting the possibility of someone leaving or giving up
Killing yourself in slow motion
Engaging in self-destructive behavior or thoughts gradually over time
Waving from the bottom of the ocean
Symbolizing feeling isolated or drowning in difficult circumstances
I'll swim back to land just let me in
Expressing a desire to return to safety or stability in life
Tell me can we ever begin again?
Questioning the possibility of starting over or rebuilding a relationship
Staring at the cold white walls
Portraying a feeling of emptiness or being stuck in a sterile environment
Waiting on a slow dissolve
Anticipating a gradual breakdown or disappearance of a situation
Don't know how to carry on
Feeling lost or unsure of how to continue moving forward
Knowing that moment has gone
Recognizing that a significant opportunity or experience has passed
Maybe for once in your life
Considering the potential for a positive change or breakthrough
And this fire
Reiterating the presence of passion or intensity in a situation
And this fire's burned out
Emphasizing that the passion or intensity has completely faded
I can't blame myself
Asserting a lack of personal responsibility in a certain outcome
If you're walking out
Accepting and coming to terms with someone leaving or moving on
End this fire
Calling for the conclusion or resolution of the intense or passionate situation
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Peter J. Yorn, Darren Geare, Jeff Ryan Tucker
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@codycevering2733
Holy crap dude, this song is amazing. I am so happy to have found this artist.
@markgoring3426
Tear jerker, classic Pete Yorn.
@comic-bookfilmlover3613
I love this one the best of every song in Arrangingtime.
@scorpiocoil1762
This is a Beautiful song
@andrieljoneagley814
Tell me why you're always running off the track
You never move forward when you're looking back
You fall in and out of love with yourself
Makes you wanna crawl back into your shell
And this fire
This fire's burned out
I can't blame myself
If you're walking out
Killing yourself in slow motion
Waving from the bottom of the ocean
I'll swim back to land just let me in
Tell me can we ever begin again?
And this fire
This fire's burned out
I can't blame myself
If you're walking out
Staring at the cold white walls
Waiting on a slow dissolve
Don't know how to carry on
Knowing that moment has gone
Maybe for once in your life
Maybe for once in your life
Tell me why you're always running off the track
You never move forward when you're looking back
And this fire
And this fire's burned out
I can't blame myself
If you're walking out
Staring at the cold white walls
Waiting on a slow dissolve
Don't know how to carry on
Knowing that moment is gone
And this fire's burned out
I can't blame myself
If you're walking out
This fire
This fire's burned out
End this fire
@kingtherock666
hello