Sexsmith started his first band at 14. After moving to Toronto he formed the Uncool and released his cassette Out of the Duff, and a year later, There's a Way. Meanwhile, he worked as a courier, and released Grand Opera Lane in 1991. On the strength of this album he earned a contract which led to the self-titled album Ron Sexsmith of 1995. Between 1997 and 2001, Sexsmith released three more albums before the acclaimed Cobblestone Runway in 2002.
Imaginary Friends
Ron Sexsmith Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
They will always let you down
And when all the good times end
You won't be seeing them around
For they run where the action is
And they'll cross you off their list
Do you comprehend now
You don't exist
No
They'll ask you where you've been
But never wait for your reply
They'll meet you when your ship comes in
But never meet you eye to eye
As all the friends who've been real and true
Wonder who you're talking to
One thing you can depend on
Imaginary friends
They can't see you
No
You can paint them a beautiful picture
But they won't understand
You can count all your friends on the fingers
Of one scalded hand
Imaginary friends
They will always leave you hanging
And you won't see them again
For they've gone where the action is
And they've crossed you off their list
Do you comprehend now
Imaginary friends
They don't exist
No
Imaginary friends
They don't exist
No no no
The song "Imaginary Friends" by Ron Sexsmith is a melancholic and reflective exploration of the idea of imaginary friends. The first verse expresses a sense of disappointment and abandonment, with the realization that these imaginary friends cannot truly be relied upon. The idea of their fickleness and tendency to move on to where the action is, leaving behind those they were once close to, is translated into the chorus where the singer concludes "Imaginary friends, they don't exist".
The second verse explores how these imaginary friends will ask where you've been, but never really engage in a meaningful conversation. They'll show up when times are good, but again, never really be present in the moment. Meanwhile, real friends who have been there and who know the real you, become alienated. The bridge is a reflective moment that acknowledges these imaginary friends cannot understand or empathize with the experiences of the singer, no matter how much he tries, and he ultimately counts each friend that he still has.
"Imaginary Friends" is a song with universal themes of transitioning from childhood to adulthood and the loss of innocence. The idea of imaginary friends that were once a comfort becomes a commentary on the naivety of time and the fleeting nature of relationships. Interestingly the song doesn't necessarily criticize imaginary friends but instead, explores the emotions they can evoke and the realization that no matter how hard you try, they are ultimately an illusion.
Line by Line Meaning
Imaginary friends
These are the non-existent people that people imagine as their friends.
They will always let you down
Imaginary friends will eventually disappoint you because they don't exist in reality.
And when all the good times end
When everything is not going well, imaginary friends disappear.
You won't be seeing them around
Imaginary friends are not real and, therefore, they cannot stay with you in the real world.
For they run where the action is
These non-existent friends are always after where activity and buzz are, and they will compromise you to have it.
And they'll cross you off their list
Imaginary friends can easily omit you because they are not bound by commitment or any other relationship obligations.
Do you comprehend now
The artist is asking whether you understand the meaning of his words, especially the lyrics relating to imaginary friends.
To imaginary friends
The song is talking about the people's imaginary friends that exist only in the minds of the people imagining them.
You don't exist
Since imaginary friends are not real, it is safe to say they don't exist and can't offer dependable support or fond memories.
They'll ask you where you've been
Non-existent friends will ask meaningless questions that have no meaning in reality.
But never wait for your reply
Since imaginary friends exist solely in your imagination, they do not need your response as with genuine people's interactions.
They'll meet you when your ship comes in
Imaginary friends only appear when everything is going well; they do not stay around when the going gets tough and the chips are down in life.
But never meet you eye to eye
Even though imaginary friends can try to interact with you, they remain a figment of your imagination and cannot engage as real people.
As all the friends who've been real and true
This line describes actual friends who have been authentic and dependable, and who will undoubtedly stay behind when phony, imaginary friends depart.
Wonder who you're talking to
When you speak of non-existing friends, actual dependable friends will question and doubt whom you are referring to.
One thing you can depend on
While imaginary friends might let you down, actual friends will always stand with you.
They can't see you
Imaginary friends can't see you because they do not exist in reality.
You can paint them a beautiful picture
You can build a fairy-tale version of the imaginary friend, describing whatever qualities you want in them.
But they won't understand
Even though you might continue to describe them in positive ways, imaginary friends will never understand your feelings, emotions, and the world around you.
You can count all your friends on the fingers
This line implies that you should keep a few dependable friends instead of maintaining an unlimited number of non-existent friends.
Of one scalded hand
This line signifies the possibility of losing all your friends in one go, leaving you nothing but a wounded hand to count on
No no no
This repetition of the word no implies that the artist is firm in his belief that imaginary friends cannot replace reality-based interactions with actual people.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: SEXSMITH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Dee G
Want proof the world is sick? Most people have no idea of Ron’s incredible talent or even who he is. Thanks Ron for making great album after great album
Torsten Fischer
one of the best songs of 2000's
phasmatodea1
A sad and beautiful song.