Save Yourself
SharonVanEtten Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
There's nothing left to sell me, I'm broke
I just want these holes for when I try to run
For no reason, or so I'm told
Don't you think I know you're only trying to save yourself
Don't you think I know you're only trying to save yourself
Ancient in one long, incidental month
You had a bad day, I want home
You still make me smile, as much as I am reeling
It has been a while, please don't make me show I'm not your gal
Don't you think I know you're only trying to save yourself
Don't you think I know you're only trying to save yourself
Just like everyone else
Ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh
Ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh
Try and make me feel like I'm your number one
Every other one, well, shit, get real
Know you're balding still, you're older than you feel
Think a little harder, a little modest and humble be
I won't wait around
Don't you think I know you're only trying to save yourself
Don't you think I know you're only trying to save yourself
Just like everyone else
You're just like everyone else
You're just like everyone else
You're just like everyone else
The song "Save Yourself" by Sharon Van Etten is a powerful reflection on relationships and the challenges of navigating them when both parties are struggling to keep their heads above water. The opening lines of the song - "I want every town, I need you to know / There's nothing left to sell me, I'm broke" - set the stage for a narrative that addresses feelings of restlessness and fatigue. The singer is tired of feeling lost and wants to be free to explore the world, but at the same time, she's aware that she's run out of ideas and doesn't have the resources to keep going.
As the song progresses, it becomes clear that the singer is also grappling with a broken relationship. She's conflicted about her feelings for her partner, oscillating between moments of tenderness and desperation. The line "You still make me smile, as much as I am reeling / It has been a while, please don't make me show I'm not your gal" encapsulates this dynamic perfectly, highlighting the singer's desire to maintain a connection with her partner while also acknowledging the fact that things are not as they should be.
The hook of the song - "Don't you think I know you're only trying to save yourself / Just like everyone else" - reinforces this theme of mutual struggle. The singer recognizes that her partner is just as lost and confused as she is, and that they are both struggling to find their footing in a world that can be cruel and unforgiving. Ultimately, "Save Yourself" is a song about resilience and the power of human connection in the face of adversity. Despite the challenges they face, the singer and her partner are determined to keep going - together or apart - and to find a way to save themselves.
Line by Line Meaning
I want every town, I need you to know
I want to travel the world and explore new places, but I want you to understand this about me
There's nothing left to sell me, I'm broke
I am emotionally empty and cannot be swayed with material possessions
I just want these holes for when I try to run
I need some escape routes for when I want to get away and be alone
For no reason, or so I'm told
I may not have a specific reason for wanting to escape, but I feel the need nonetheless
Don't you think I know you're only trying to save yourself
I am aware that you are only looking out for your own interests
Ancient in one long, incidental month
Even though it has only been a short while, it feels like an eternity
You had a bad day, I want home
I understand that you may have had a tough time, but I need to be in my own space
You still make me smile, as much as I am reeling
Despite my own troubles, you are still able to bring me happiness
It has been a while, please don't make me show I'm not your gal
It's been some time since we've been close, but I don't want to disappoint you by showing that I may not be what you want me to be
Just like everyone else
I know that you are not the only one who is self-interested; this is a common trait among people
Try and make me feel like I'm your number one
You attempt to make me feel special and important to you
Every other one, well, shit, get real
I know that I am not the only one you are trying to impress or make feel special, so let's be realistic
Know you're balding still, you're older than you feel
I understand that you may be insecure about your appearance and getting older
Think a little harder, a little modest and humble be
I suggest that you put more thought into your words and actions and try to be more modest and humble
I won't wait around
I am not willing to wait for you to change or become a different person
You're just like everyone else
I realize that you are not unique in your actions or behavior; you are just like many other people
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Sharon Van Etten
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind