Memory Lane
Seth Avett Jessica Lea Mayfield Lyrics
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Where you're dragged against your will from a basement on the hill
And all anybody knows is you're not like them
And they kick you in the head and send you back to bed
Isolation pulled you past a tunnel
To a bright world where you can make a place to stay
But everybody's scared of this place, they're staying away
Your little house on Memory Lane
His force patrols the pier
From a mountain of cliche
That advances every day
The doctor spoke a cloud
He rained out loud
You'll keep your doors and windows shut
And swear you'll never show a soul again
But isolation pushes you 'til every muscle aches
Down the only road it ever takes
But everybody's scared of this place, they're staying away
Your little house on Memory Lane
If it's your decision to be open about yourself
Be careful or else
Be careful or else
I'm comfortable apart
It's all written on my chart
And I take what's given me
Most cooperatively
I do what people say and lie in bed all day
Absolutely horrified
I hope you're satisfied
Isolation pushes past self-hatred, guilt, and shame
To a place where suffering is just a game
But everybody's scared of this place, they're staying away
Your little house on Memory Lane
Your little house on Memory Lane
The lyrics of "Memory Lane" by Seth Avett and Jessica Lea Mayfield tackle themes of loneliness, isolation, rejection, and fear of judgment or scrutiny. The song challenges the idea of conforming to societal norms and expectations, and celebrates individuality and self-expression, even if it means living on the fringes of society. The lyrics describe a person who has been rejected by the mainstream, dragged against their will to a place where they don't fit, and misunderstood by the people around them. The singer finds solace in creating their own world, their little house on Memory Lane, but they are constantly battling fear, self-doubt, and the urge to isolate.
The singers of the song deal with mental health struggles and the stigma that comes with it. They are misunderstood, shamed, and bullied for being different, and they struggle to find their place in the world. Their fear of judgment and their lack of trust in others push them to build a fortress around themselves, but at the same time, they crave connection and validation. The lyrics suggest that isolation can have a destructive effect on a person, but it can also be a coping mechanism that allows them to survive. To break the cycle of isolation and fear, the singer needs to be more vulnerable and open, but they are aware of the risks that come with it. The song has a message of resilience, self-acceptance, and perseverance, and it encourages listeners to embrace their differences and fight against the forces that try to silence or shame them.
Line by Line Meaning
This is the place you end up when you lose the chase
This is the place where you end up after being defeated in your pursuit.
Where you're dragged against your will from a basement on the hill
This is a place where you're brought forcibly, against your own wishes.
And all anybody knows is you're not like them
In this place, people know only that you're different from them.
And they kick you in the head and send you back to bed
When people find out that you're not like them, they lash out and hurt you.
Isolation pulled you past a tunnel
Isolation has taken you away from the society, making you feel disconnected and alone.
To a bright world where you can make a place to stay
Despite the isolation, this new world seems better and offers you an opportunity to craft your own place.
But everybody's scared of this place, they're staying away
Despite the seeming benefits, people are still intimidated, and they choose to remain away from this place.
Your little house on Memory Lane
This place you inhabit can be likened to a house on a street full of memories.
The mayor's name is fear
Fear is the dominant force in this world.
His force patrols the pier
Fear's enforcers are everywhere, keeping watch over everything.
From a mountain of cliché that advances every day
This place is stuck in its old ways, with nothing new or innovative coming up.
The doctor spoke a cloud, he rained out loud
The people in charge of this place do more harm than good, and their advice and guidance are only confusing and hurtful.
You'll keep your doors and windows shut
As a result of the hurt inflicted upon you, you'll retreat further into yourself and shut yourself off from the world.
And swear you'll never show a soul again
You make a promise to yourself never to reveal your true emotions or feelings again.
But isolation pushes you 'til every muscle aches
However, isolation is not the answer, and it leaves you feeling drained and exhausted.
Down the only road it ever takes
Even though there is only one way out, you take it every time, hoping that things will turn out well.
If it's your decision to be open about yourself
It takes courage to be vulnerable and to show your true self to others.
Be careful or else
However, you must be cautious in doing so.
I'm comfortable apart
For some people, being alone and disconnected from others is comfortable and safe.
It's all written on my chart
This preference is something that has been ingrained in you for a long time.
And I take what's given me
You do what you're told and don't ask questions.
Most cooperatively
You comply with others, and you don't make a fuss.
I do what people say and lie in bed all day
You end up wasting the day obeying others' commands and lying in bed.
Absolutely horrified, I hope you're satisfied
Despite your reluctance, people are pleased when you take heed of their advice.
Isolation pushes past self-hatred, guilt, and shame
Isolation only makes you feel worse about yourself and pushes you towards despair and negative emotions.
To a place where suffering is just a game
Eventually, the pain you feel becomes the norm and loses all its sharpness and intensity.
But everybody's scared of this place, they're staying away
Despite the seeming relief that people can get from the pain, they still choose to remain away from it.
Your little house on Memory Lane
Despite the turmoil that you go through, this place is still a haven to you.
Writer(s): Steven P. Smith
Contributed by Sophie I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.