Give Out
Sharon Van Etten Lyrics


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There were your eyes in the dark of the room
The only ones shining
The only set I had met in years
It's not because I always look down
It might be I always look out
It might be I always look out

I am biting my lip
As confidence is speaking to me
I loosen my grip from my palm
Put it on your knee
In my way
I say
You're the reason why I'll move to the city or
Why I'll need to leave
You're the reason why I'll move to the city or
Why I'll need to leave

There was your breath on the back of my neck
The only one holding
The only one I had felt in years
It's not because I always hold on
It might be I always hold out
It might be I always hold out
I am biting my lip
As confidence is speaking to me
I loosen my grip from my palm
Put it on your knee
In my way
I say
You're the reason why I'll move to the city or
Why I'll need to leave
You're the reason why I'll move to the city or
Why I'll need to leave

So what's with the eyes in the back of the room?
The only ones trying
The only ones I have let in years
It's not because I always give up
It might be I always give out
It might be I always give out




It might be I always give out
It might be I always give out

Overall Meaning

In the lyrics to Sharon Van Etten's song "Give Out," the singer describes her feelings and thoughts while being in the presence of someone she is attracted to. She describes him as the only one shining in the dark of the room, the only one she has felt in years, and the only one she has let in years. The lyrics are open to interpretation, but they can be interpreted as a confession of attraction and desire for something more. Despite wanting to move to the city for him, she also acknowledges that he might be the reason why she needs to leave.


The lyrics are filled with contrasts - she always looks out, but she can't help but look at him. She always holds out, but she can't resist letting go to touch his knee. She always gives out, but she can't help feeling attracted to him. The chorus is repeated twice, and the singer expresses how he is the reason why she will either move to the city or need to leave. The repetition emphasizes the importance of his presence in her life.


The last verse is interesting in terms of the lyrics as the singer wonders what's with the eyes in the back of the room. She describes them as the only ones trying and the only ones she has let in years, which could be interpreted as her being open to new experiences and possibilities, but also hesitant due to past experiences. In conclusion, the lyrics to "Give Out" are heartfelt and poignant, expressing the feelings of attraction and desire, but also fear and caution.


Line by Line Meaning

There were your eyes in the dark of the room
I saw your eyes shining in the dark room


The only ones shining
Your eyes were the only thing shining in that room


The only set I had met in years
I haven't met anyone's eyes like that in a long time


It's not because I always look down
I'm not purposely avoiding eye contact


It might be I always look out
I might be always keeping an eye out for something or someone


I am biting my lip
I am nervous or anxious about something


As confidence is speaking to me
As I try to build up my confidence


I loosen my grip from my palm
I relax my hand


Put it on your knee
I place my hand on your knee


In my way
This is how I express myself


You're the reason why I'll move to the city or
You are either the reason I will move to the city or the reason I will need to leave


Why I'll need to leave
I may have to leave because of something to do with you


There was your breath on the back of my neck
I felt your breath on the back of my neck


The only one holding
You were the only one holding onto me


The only one I had felt in years
I haven't felt someone holding me in a long time


It's not because I always hold on
I'm not always trying to hold onto something or someone


It might be I always hold out
I might always hesitate to hold onto something or someone


So what's with the eyes in the back of the room?
Why were you staring at me from the back of the room?


The only ones trying
You were the only one trying to connect with me


The only ones I have let in years
I haven't let anyone in, in years


It's not because I always give up
I don't always give up


It might be I always give out
I might always let people in too easily or too quickly and give more than I should


It might be I always give out
I might always let people in too easily or too quickly and give more than I should


It might be I always give out
I might always let people in too easily or too quickly and give more than I should




Lyrics © WORDS & MUSIC A DIV OF BIG DEAL MUSIC LLC, BMG Rights Management, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Aaron Brooking Dessner, Sharon Katharine Van Etten

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@Dani_Maison

There were your eyes in the dark of the room,
The only ones shining,
The only set I had met in years.
It's not because I always look down.
It might be I always look out.
It might be I always look out.
I am biting my lip
As confidence is speaking to me.
I loosen my grip from my palm,
Put it on your knee.
In my way,
I say
You're the reason why I'll move to the city or
Why I'll need to leave.
You're the reason why I'll move to the city or
Why I'll need to leave.

There was your breath on the back of my neck,
The only one holding,
The only one I had felt in years.
It's not because I always hold on,
It might be I always hold out.
It might be I always hold out.
I am biting my lip
As confidence is speaking to me.
I loosen my grip from my palm,
Put it on your knee.
In my way,
I say
You're the reason why I'll move to the city or
Why I'll need to leave.
You're the reason why I'll move to the city or
Why I'll need to leave.

So what's with the eyes in the back of the room?
The only ones trying.
The only ones I have let in years.
It's not because I always give up,
It might be I always give out.
It might be I always give out.
It might be I always give out.
It might be I always give out.



All comments from YouTube:

@mlr0115

Sharon and Heather are such a great team, bro! Who else is still watching this almost daily in 2021!? I know I am!

@StuMcKinlay

I’ve lost count of how many tomes I’ve watched it. Beautiful song and a very sweet performance.

@MADGUNSMONSTER

I am, 'cause Heather is"Sneaky Hot".

@mlr0115

@MADGUNS FOREVER™ 👍👍

@cmiller19523

Feb 2022

@coffeeiero4752

Me 🙋‍♀️🙋‍♀️😄

1 More Replies...

@AshleySherrets

I listen to this EVERY. SINGLE. DAY! Obsessed with this music format. So many great artists for the Pickathons. Love Sharon and Heather the most!!!

@CalumnMcAulay

This is one of those rare and gifted artists who has the ability to make you ponder the beauty of existence!

@joshmills6179

+chris mcaulay how does it make u do that. i wanna learn!

@CalumnMcAulay

+Joshua Mills oh thats just me being overly sentimental and emotional.

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