Lookin' Up
Shelby Lynne Lyrics


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Smokin' and thinkin'
Of things to do since you're gone
Sittin', lonely
Can't even get stoned
Takin' a breath of a feeling that
Once lived in this house

Laughin' and dying
At the mirror in the hall
Talkin' to myself
A memory don't remember at all
Last thing you told me was the first thing that brought on these clouds

I'm lookin' up, for the next thing that brings me down
Here comes the jet plane
I can see the wheels hit the ground
However long i wait
I'm standin' at the gate, looking round

Walkin' and cryin'
Stumble into a church
Startin' at the rafters
Wonderin' how much more i can hurt
Hey old man, what are your plans for me
Where am i bound




I'm lookin' up for the next thing that brings me down
I'm lookin' up for the next thing that brings me down

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Shelby Lynne's song "Lookin' Up" convey a sense of despair and loneliness following a breakup, as the singer tries to come to terms with her loss and find a way to move on. The opening lines depict her sitting alone, smoking and contemplating what to do next, unable to escape her thoughts despite her attempts to numb them with drugs. The sense of isolation and emptiness is reinforced by the line "can't even get stoned," suggesting that she has lost interest in the activities that used to bring her pleasure.


As the song progresses, the singer struggles to come to grips with her memories and her feelings, represented by the lines "laughing and dying at the mirror in the hall" and "talking to myself a memory don't remember at all." She recalls the last thing her lover told her before leaving and how it has affected her life since, causing clouds of sadness to hang over her.


The chorus of the song provides a glimmer of hope, as the singer looks up and sees a jet plane arriving, symbolizing the possibility of a new start or a fresh opportunity. Despite her pain, she is resolved to keep moving forward and keep searching for something that will bring her joy again. The final verse of the song finds her wandering into a church and asking an old man for guidance, suggesting a desire for spiritual or emotional support as she tries to navigate her way out of the darkness.


Line by Line Meaning

Smokin' and thinkin'
Contemplating and smoking a cigarette


Of things to do since you're gone
Thinking about activities to keep busy after a breakup


Sittin', lonely
Feeling sad and alone


Can't even get stoned
Unable to find solace in drugs or alcohol


Takin' a breath of a feeling that
Remembering the atmosphere of the past


Once lived in this house
That once existed in this home


Laughin' and dying
Alternating between moments of joy and despair


At the mirror in the hall
Looking at oneself in the hallway mirror


Talkin' to myself
Having a conversation with oneself


A memory don't remember at all
Forgetting a past experience completely


Last thing you told me was the first thing that brought on these clouds
The memory of the last conversation with a former lover is causing emotional pain


I'm lookin' up, for the next thing that brings me down
Anticipating another negative experience or emotion


Here comes the jet plane
Seeing a plane about to land


I can see the wheels hit the ground
Watching the plane land


However long i wait
No matter how much time passes


I'm standin' at the gate, looking round
Waiting at the airport gate and surveying the area


Walkin' and cryin'
Walking while sobbing


Stumble into a church
Accidentally entering a church


Startin' at the rafters
Gazing up at the ceiling beams


Wonderin' how much more i can hurt
Questioning how much more emotional pain can be endured


Hey old man, what are your plans for me
Asking a higher power what their will is


Where am i bound
Questioning one's future and direction


I'm lookin' up for the next thing that brings me down
Feeling resigned to more negative experiences in the future




Lyrics © Downtown Music Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: SHELBY LYNNE, BILL BOTTRELL

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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