Like I Used To
Sharon Van Etten Lyrics
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Stole the dress I saw you in
Now nothing comes to mind
Saw a life as override
One more session overdrive
The ceiling is the roof
Change address and draw a line
Call my family just to know they're there
Sleepin' in late like I used to
Crossing my fingers like I used to
Waiting inside like I used to
Avoiding big crowds like I used to
Crawl the field and let you in
Brand my heart I found you in
To say nothing's more apart
Will my lover be there, stay
Follow them to less the pain
The ceiling must be wrong
Well, my head's gone today
Sell my past for a way
To sing and have something left to say
Pray my hands, pray my voice
Give the reason, take away
Make believe an order for to stay
Lighting one up like I used to
Dancing all alone like I used to
Giving it up like I used to
Falling in love like I used to
Open my heart like I used to
Making out long like I used to
Holding hands openly, rights to
Taking what's mine like I used to
Like I used to (like I used to)
Like I used to (like I used to)
The lyrics of "Like I Used To" by Sharon Van Etten and Angel Olsen are a reflection of the singer's internal struggles with their past and their present. The first stanza talks about an imaginary marker that could potentially stain the skin, possibly signifying the permanence of mistakes made in the past. The next two lines speak of a dress that the singer has stolen, which seems to be a metaphor for their feeling of nostalgia for a time that they can't go back to. The line "saw a life as override" feels like a description of a sudden shift in the singer's perspective on their life, and they find themselves unable to think of anything else. The next two lines "one more session overdrive" and "the ceiling is the roof" could be seen as a comment on the mundanity of the present, how the singer feels like their life is on repeat when they are just going through the motions.
The second stanza shows the singer striving to move on from their past and make something of themselves in the present. The first two lines talk about changing addresses and drawing a line, potentially indicating a physical movement towards a fresh start. The singer wants to show their friends the silver lining, possibly meaning the singer's positive outlook on their future and their efforts to be better. The lines "call my family just to know they're there" speak of the singer's desire for a support system, someone to lean on in their journey.
The chorus talks about the singer's attempts to revert to their past and how they're trying to recapture their old self. The lines "sleeping in late like I used to" and "crossing my fingers like I used to" show the singer attempting to recreate the small things that made their past life comfortable. The singer avoids big crowds and falls back into habits like lighting up and dancing alone. All of these actions speak to the singer's longing for the past and the familiarity it brings, but as the song progresses, it feels like the singer is also trying to shake off this past to move on to a better, brighter future.
Line by Line Meaning
Will the marker stain the skin?
Wondering if the tattoo will have a lasting impact.
Stole the dress I saw you in
Keeping a reminder of a past relationship that is now over.
Now nothing comes to mind
Unable to remember why the relationship ended.
Saw a life as override
Dreaming of a future where the relationship would have worked out.
One more session overdrive
Going to therapy to try and move past the heartbreak.
The ceiling is the roof
Feeling trapped and unable to move on from the past.
Change address and draw a line
Starting fresh by moving to a new location and cutting ties with the past.
Show my friends the silver line
Trying to find the positive in the situation and share it with loved ones.
Call my family just to know they're there
Seeking comfort and support from family during a difficult time.
Sleepin' in late like I used to
Returning to old habits after the relationship ended.
Crossing my fingers like I used to
Hoping for good luck and positive outcomes like in the past.
Waiting inside like I used to
Becoming introverted and avoiding social situations like in the past.
Avoiding big crowds like I used to
Feeling uncomfortable around a large number of people and avoiding such situations like in the past.
Crawl the field and let you in
Being willing to forgive and reconcile with the former partner.
Brand my heart I found you in
Being marked by the relationship that still affects everything in life.
To say nothing's more apart
Accepting that the relationship is over and nothing can be done to bring it back.
Will my lover be there, stay
Wondering if someone will be there to love and support through difficult times.
Follow them to less the pain
Choosing to be with someone to minimize the pain and loneliness felt after the breakup.
The ceiling must be wrong
Feeling like something is off even though evidence suggests otherwise.
Well, my head's gone today
Feeling overwhelmed with thoughts and emotions.
Sell my past for a way
Giving up precious memories and moments in exchange for a way to move on.
To sing and have something left to say
Finding solace in music and using it as an outlet for emotions.
Pray my hands, pray my voice
Wishing for the ability to communicate emotions and feelings more effectively.
Give the reason, take away
Giving reasons for the pain and taking away the source of it.
Make believe an order for to stay
Imagining a world where everything is in order and staying there to avoid further complications.
Lighting one up like I used to
Resorting to an old habit to cope with the pain and emotions felt after the breakup.
Dancing all alone like I used to
Reliving past memories where dancing alone brought joy and happiness.
Giving it up like I used to
Letting go of the pain and emotions and moving on like in the past.
Falling in love like I used to
Yearning for the feelings of love and affection that were felt in the past.
Open my heart like I used to
Being willing to let someone in and be vulnerable again like in the past.
Making out long like I used to
Reliving past memories of intimacy and passion.
Holding hands openly, rights to
Wanting the right to express love openly and without fear of judgment or rejection.
Taking what's mine like I used to
Feeling empowered to take control of life and take what is rightfully theirs.
Lyrics Β© Wixen Music Publishing, Hipgnosis Songs Group
Written by: Angel L Olsen, Sharon Van Etten
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@tiagogo7188
The only bad thing about this collab is that now we're gonna need a whole album
@death_of_a_moth9241
rlly got me in the 1st half
@anasalhorani1490
I would do anything for that!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
@KizCat
YES!
@dariol8578
Exactly!
@DanielBurtonDidYourWife
I think they forgot that it's bad to give music junkies hits.
@valentinamarino2250
I'm 36 and 16 years old at the same time. Dancing with my soul.
@drmgsmith
I hear ya , all ages at once, pretty awesome super power hey :-)
@myindigoblues5796
Sharon's music always makes me feel that way. It's so beautiful π₯°π§‘π
@highwayninetynine
Oh my god, over a year after this song came out and it still slaps me in the face every time. A true classic.