Changes
Shawn Mullins Lyrics

Oh, yeah
The singer is expressing a feeling of understanding or agreement.

Mmm
The singer is indicating satisfaction or acknowledgement.

Still don't know what I was waitin' for
The singer feels unsure about their past decisions and choices.

And my time was runnin' wild
The artist feels as if their time and/or life is out of control or chaotic.

A million dead end streets and
The artist has encountered many unfulfilling or unsuccessful paths in life.

Every time I thought I'd got it made
The singer has experienced moments of feeling accomplished or successful.

It seemed the taste was not so sweet
Despite moments of success, the singer was not fully satisfied or happy.

So I turned myself to face me
The artist is reflecting on themselves and looking inward for answers.

But I've never caught a glimpse of
Despite reflection, the artist has not gained a true understanding of themselves.

How the others must see the faker
The artist is concerned about how they are perceived by others and feels inauthentic.

I'm much too fast to take that test
The singer feels they are too busy or preoccupied to take time to self-reflect or work on personal growth.

Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes
The artist is using onomatopoeia to emphasize the theme of change.

Turn and face the strange
The singer is urging themselves (and possibly others) to confront and embrace new or strange experiences and ways of thinking.

Don't want to be a richer man
The singer does not desire wealth or material possessions as a source of fulfillment or happiness.

Just gonna have to be a different man
The singer acknowledges the need to change themselves and become a different, better version of themselves.

Time may change me
The artist recognizes that time and life experiences can cause personal growth and change.

But I can't trace time
The artist acknowledges that change is often unpredictable and cannot be fully understood or explained.

Mmm, yeah I watch the ripples change their size
The singer observes the changes and fluctuations in their surroundings (possibly referring to society or the world).

But never leave the stream
Despite changes, the singer remains in the same 'stream' or path of life.

Of warm impermanence
The artist recognizes the fleeting and temporary nature of life's experiences and emotions.

So the days float through my eyes
The artist feels as if life is passing them by.

But still the days seem the same
Despite changes in the world around them, the artist feels their life remains stagnant or unchanging.

And these children that you spit on
The singer is referring to young people who are criticized or belittled by society.

As they try to change their worlds
The artist acknowledges and respects young people's efforts to make a difference in the world.

Are immune to your consultations
The young people do not seek or need approval or guidance from older generations.

They're quite aware of what they're goin' through
The young people understand their own experiences and are capable of making their own decisions and choices.

Don't tell them to grow up and out of it
The singer is critical of older generations who dismiss or invalidate young people's perspectives and experiences.

Where's your shame?
The artist questions the morals and values of those who are quick to judge and criticize others.

You've left us up to our necks in it
The artist feels as if society has forced them into a difficult situation or circumstance.

Strange fascination, fascinatin'
The singer acknowledges their own curiosity and interest in the changes happening around them.

Ah, changes are takin'
The changes happening in the world are becoming more apparent and significant to the singer.

The pace I'm goin' through
The artist is acknowledging the speed at which their own personal changes are occurring.

Oh, look out you rock 'n' rollers
The artist is warning musicians or other public figures of the need to adapt to the changing times and maintain relevance.

Pretty soon now you're gonna get older
The artist acknowledges the inevitability of aging and the need to adapt to change as you get older.

Time may change me
The singer repeats the idea that life experiences can cause personal growth and change.

But I can't trace time
The artist repeats the idea that change is often unpredictable and cannot be fully understood or explained.