Empty Bottles
Reed KD Lyrics
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And clear out all these empty bottles
To tell the truth I'm sick of self abuse
As a means to forget all my troubles
But I'm knee deep in sand I do not understand
The more we lift our feet the more we sick
So there's nothing left to do but leave
I'll pack a book with some pictures that I took
And live out of my beat up wagon
And write you cards about how time are hard
But it makes me feel like I am living
And when I reach the coast and there's nowhere left to go
Maybe I'll figure out which way is home
Maybe I was meant to be alone
Upon return I'm sorry to have learned
That you moved on and left the city
And live down south beside the harbor mouth
In a studio with your new boyfriend
Your friends say it's the love that you've been dreaming of
You wished it would be me but had to leave
Love's not meant to be spent waiting
The song "Empty Bottles" by Reed KD is a contemplative piece about the aftermath of a failed relationship. The singer of the song has come to the realization that their self-destructive tendencies, symbolized by the "empty bottles" they have accumulated, have only served as a temporary means to forget their troubles. They express their desire to change for their ex-partner and do what is right for them. However, they are stuck in a state of confusion and uncertainty represented by the metaphor of being "knee deep in sand," unable to figure out the way forward.
The singer decides to leave everything behind and live out of their "beat up wagon," writing cards to their ex-partner about their struggles but feeling like they are actually living. They embark on a journey to find themselves, possibly even finding their way home. When they return, they realize that their ex-partner has moved on and found love with someone else. The singer accepts this truth and acknowledges that waiting for love to return is not the right way to spend one's life.
Line by Line Meaning
I want to do whatever's right for you
I am willing to take whatever steps necessary to make sure that your needs and wants are taken care of.
And clear out all these empty bottles
I want to put an end to my bad habits which were a way for me to escape my troubles.
To tell the truth I'm sick of self abuse
I am exhausted of using destructive behaviors as a way to cope with my problems.
As a means to forget all my troubles
I have been using my addictions as a crutch to numb myself from the painful emotions I'm experiencing.
But I'm knee deep in sand I do not understand
I feel lost and stuck in a confusing situation.
The more we lift our feet the more we sick
The more we try to move forward, the more we realize how difficult and exhausting it can be.
So there's nothing left to do but leave
At times, the only escape from a difficult situation is to leave.
I'll pack a book with some pictures that I took
I will bring some items that remind me of the good times and use them to find solace in difficult moments.
And live out of my beat up wagon
I am willing to live with minimal belongings in order to explore and find a sense of liberation.
And write you cards about how time are hard
I will express my feelings and emotions to you, even if they are difficult to handle.
But it makes me feel like I am living
Even though I might be struggling, experiencing everything the world has to offer makes me feel alive.
And when I reach the coast and there's nowhere left to go
When I have nowhere else to go, I trust that I will find a way to progress.
Maybe I'll figure out which way is home
Perhaps, along the way, I will find a deeper understanding of who I am and what my true purpose is.
Maybe I was meant to be alone
I am open to the possibility that my journey in life might be a solitary one.
Upon return I'm sorry to have learned
I might come back wiser, yet regretful of the things that have transpired in my absence.
That you moved on and left the city
I recognize that my absence might have caused changes I had not anticipated and that others might have continued with their lives in spite of my departure.
And live down south beside the harbor mouth
You have started a new life in a new place that is comfortable and familiar to you.
In a studio with your new boyfriend
You have found companionship and happiness with someone else.
Your friends say it's the love that you've been dreaming of
The people closest to you see that you have found genuine love with your new partner.
You wished it would be me but had to leave
Perhaps, you had hoped that I would have joined you in this new adventure, but I had already embarked on the path I am on now.
Love's not meant to be spent waiting
Love should not be a source of waiting or depending on someone else to make your life complete; it should enhance your life and inspire you to grow and learn in new ways.
Contributed by Josiah B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.