Rhythms
Sum 41 Lyrics


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Mad in a way but I don't say
It's what you're used to
I got the words but can't convey
I know you'll turn it all around
'cause that's the rhythms that you go through
Get it back and you're not obliged to say
Not intact but you're better off anyway
Somehow it's never up to me
What if I would say
Simple words I can't relate
I don't place upon your view
It's the rhythms that you go through

I know what I want
You just take me through the motions
I know what I want
And that's more than you can say

Since you found me out
Since you found me out
Since you found me out
Since you found me out

Your story still remains
It's so unlike still you stay the same
And all the while you're counting in your day to come
But nothing ever told you
You would say that it's only for a day
Yesterday's last week tomorrow's on it's way
And I'm falling faster all the time

What if I would say
Simple words I can't relate
What came easy is not too late
And it was always standing right infront of me

I know what I want
You just take me through the motions
I know what I want
And that's more than you can say

ALl the time you thought worth saving
You still end up with memories fading
After all that you wouldn't do
It makes no sense
But it's that rhythms that you go through

I know what I want
You just take me through the motions
I know what I want
And that's more than you can say
I know what I want
You take me through the motions
I know what I want
And that's more than you can say

Since you found me out
Since you found me out




Since you found me out
Since you found me out

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Sum 41's "Rhythms" are a reflection of a dysfunctional relationship. The singer feels trapped and unable to communicate effectively with their partner. They acknowledge their partner's pattern of behavior, which they describe as rhythms that they go through. The singer tries to express their feelings, but they find it difficult to articulate them. The words come out all wrong and cannot be conveyed adequately. The partner seems to have found the singer out, yet the singer wants to move forward and find what they want and need in the relationship.


The chorus contains the lines, "I know what I want, you just take me through the motions." Here, the singer is expressing a desire for a more genuine connection with their partner. They've grown tired of the cycle and demand something more. The singer wants their partner to not only know what they want but act on it. However, their partner falls short, and the singer finds themselves stuck.


Throughout the song, the singer appears frustrated and at times, even angry. They desperately want their partner to understand them, but it seems as if this task is impossible. The couple's relationship is falling apart, and they can no longer save it. "Rhythms" provides a sobering look into a communication breakdown in a relationship and its consequences.


Line by Line Meaning

Mad in a way but I don't say
I have feelings that I don't express, which may seem irrational to others


It's what you're used to
Perhaps my actions seem unusual to you because you are accustomed to a different way of living


I got the words but can't convey
I have the thoughts but struggle to put them into words


I know you'll turn it all around
Despite the challenges, I believe that you have the ability to improve your situation


'cause that's the rhythms that you go through
Your life has patterns, habits, and cycles that you repeat over time


Get it back and you're not obliged to say
If you regain something that you lost, you don't need to explain why or how


Not intact but you're better off anyway
Although you may not be in perfect condition, things are still improving for you


Somehow it's never up to me
I feel like I have no control over the situation


What if I would say
I am wondering if expressing myself would make a difference


Simple words I can't relate
It's difficult for me to understand or connect with basic ideas


I don't place upon your view
I am not imposing my perspective on you


It's the rhythms that you go through
Your behavior and experiences are influenced by the patterns in your life


I know what I want
I have a clear idea of my goals and desires


You just take me through the motions
Sometimes I feel like I am going through the motions without much sense of purpose


And that's more than you can say
Unlike you, I have a specific direction and purpose in life


Your story still remains
You have a personal history that defines who you are


It's so unlike still you stay the same
Despite your unique qualities, you remain consistent in your behaviors and habits


And all the while you're counting in your day to come
You are hopeful and optimistic about the future


But nothing ever told you
Nobody warned you or taught you


You would say that it's only for a day
You may believe that certain experiences are short-lived and not very impactful


Yesterday's last week tomorrow's on it's way
Time is moving forward and progress is being made


And I'm falling faster all the time
I feel like I am losing control and things are happening quickly


All the time you thought worth saving
You put effort and energy into things that you believed were significant


You still end up with memories fading
Despite your efforts, some of your experiences and memories still disappear or lose importance


After all that you wouldn't do
Even though you didn't take certain actions, your current situation still happened


It makes no sense
You don't understand how your current situation came to be


But it's that rhythms that you go through
Your life has patterns and cycles, and that is influencing your experiences, whether or not you are aware of it


Since you found me out
Since you discovered something about me that was previously unknown to you


Since you found me out
Since you uncovered a secret or truth about me


Since you found me out
Since you learned a new fact or information about me


Since you found me out
Since you became aware of something that was hidden or unknown to you about me




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: DERYCK JASON WHIBLEY, GREIG ANDREW NORI

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

@VectorxMan

Sent the URL + this text to my boss. Idk if he's ready for me to be one of his managers bc I've switched up my dialogue with him from, grunt to owner, to, manager to bossman; at the drop of a hat.
Btw thank u for the upload. Long live rock.

((Released in May 2001. This song, and the whole album, has been etched into my soul for a decade and a half. Probably the rest of my life. It's a 3 min song.

"Yesterday's last week,
Tomorrow's on its way.
I'm falling faster all the time.
What if I was 'theeyyyy'?
Simple words, I can't relate.
Ok measles now it's too late.
And it was always standing right in front of you."))



All comments from YouTube:

@bigdoglintern

Such an underrated song and still one of their best!!

@mrsd8401

Agreed. Probably my favourite overall

@MissingSinceMonday2014

It's so good! We play late 90s / early 2000s style pop punk! Check us out if you have a minute :)

@brianleonard6598

For real. Only two songs of theirs people know is in too deep and fat lip but they have so many bangers such as this

@johnmichael4806

​@brianleonard6598 The whole album this is off of is a banger. Still one of my favorite pop punk records

@Omgacow1000

One of the most underrated Sum 41 songs. Absolutely love this song

@kevinhornak2180

2019 and still got this kicking through my system... 30 year old skater and bmxer, guess some shit never changes

@Julie88C

probably one of my favourite Sum 41's album <3

@adamsuchacek586

Best poppunk album of all time...

@richkingtodd7679

+Jim Macnichol That album is absolutely garbage to me. I still can't figure out why people like it so much. All the small things was boring. Adams song was boring untill da chorus began and What's my age again was ok. Also, the album had horrible sound quality and bass wasn't heavy enough.

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