Clean
Pete Yorn & Scarlett Johansson Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

There's a place around my heart that you wish for
When you pretend its never there
What are you living for?

Come back and see me some time, she said
Thinking he'd rather be dead.
But eventually I might give her a ring instead

Would you talk to me?
Would you talk to me?
I want everything to be so clean
So clean

When you're alone,
You'll ask yourself things
I bet you were not
Even thinking all these things
One time its clear to you
All the things you know
He even reminds me of the kid we used to know

Would you talk to me?
Would you talk to me?
I want everything to be so clean.
So clean.

There's a place around my heart
that you hope for
When you pretend its never there
What do you answer for?

Come back and see me sometime, she said.
Thinking he'd be dead.
But eventually, I might give her a book instead

Would you talk to me?
Would you talk to me?
I want everything to be so clean.
So clean.

Would you talk to me?
Would you talk to me?
Would you talk to me?
Would you talk to me?

I want everything to be so clean.
So clean.

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Pete Yorn's "Clean" appear to be about longing for a relationship that is pure, simple, and free from complications. The lyrics seem to suggest that the singer is holding onto a small piece of hope that a particular person will come back to them, despite the fact that they may never return. Throughout the song, the singer expresses a desire for conversation and open communication to help cleanse their heart and mind.

The first verse sets the tone by suggesting that the person the singer longs for is trying to ignore the connection they share. The second verse indicates that despite the pain and doubt regarding the relationship, the singer remains hopeful and willing to take a chance with this specific person. The repeated chorus further reinforces the desire for clean communication and an unburdened heart.

Overall, "Clean" appears to be a commentary on the difficulty of maintaining pure and open relationships. Instead of the typical angst-filled tunes that focus solely on the pain of separation or breakup, Yorn's "Clean" seems to be about the hope that can exist in difficult circumstances.

Line by Line Meaning

There's a place around my heart that you wish for
There is a part of me that you desire and long for.

When you pretend its never there
When you choose to ignore or deny its existence.

What are you living for?
What is the purpose of your life?

Come back and see me some time, she said
She invited him to return and visit.

Thinking he'd rather be dead.
He was certain that he would prefer death over seeing her again.

But eventually I might give her a ring instead
He may consider proposing to her in the future.

Would you talk to me?
Would you communicate and have a conversation with me?

I want everything to be so clean
I desire to have everything in my life to be pristine and free of impurities.

When you're alone,
When you are by yourself,

You'll ask yourself things
You will question and analyze your own thoughts and feelings.

I bet you were not
I am confident that you did not previously contemplate.