Incomplete
Switchfoot Lyrics


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He's washing his face to start his day
He's lonely, lonely, lonely, lonely
Nothing in the mirror ever shows him what's within
Now he's checking out the faces on the back of the milk
He's sour under all this pressure
He thinks the missing person looks an awful lot like him

And he starts his engine
But he knows he's missing gears

Incomplete
Where will you find yourself?
Incomplete
Where will you find yourself?
'Cause you're the missing person now
Step outside your doubts and let yourself be found

He's sick of the race to just save face
He's tired and tried, he's sick and tired
He's tired of the holes that are keeping him incomplete
He'll push the pedal to the floor like the day before
He's trying to be always trying
Try to find an end to justify his means

So he starts his engine
But he knows he's missing gears

Incomplete
Where will you find yourself?
Incomplete
Where will you find yourself?
'Cause you're the missing person now
Step outside the doubts and let yourself be found

So he starts his engine
But he knows that he's missing gears

Incomplete
Where will you find yourself?
Incomplete
Where will you lose yourself?
'Cause you're the missing person now




Step outside your doubts and let yourself be found
And let yourself be found and let yourself be found

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Switchfoot's song "Incomplete" speak to the inner turmoil of a person who is struggling with a deep sense of incompleteness. The verses describe the person's morning routine, which is a mundane and solitary activity that accentuates his loneliness. He then gazes at the missing person's poster on the milk carton and sees his own reflection in it, feeling like the missing person is him.


The chorus of the song emphasizes the idea of incompleteness, and how it affects the person's self-understanding and identity. He is lost and adrift, and he knows that there is something essential missing in his life. It is a haunting feeling that doesn't go away, and it drives him to keep trying to find something that will make him feel whole. However, he is also aware that his efforts are incomplete and that he is unable to find the missing piece of his puzzle.


The song is a poignant reminder of the psychological struggles that we all face at some point in our lives. It speaks to the universal human experience of feeling incomplete and searching for a way to fill the void. Ultimately, the message of the song is one of hope, encouraging us to step outside our doubts and let ourselves be found. It reminds us that we are not alone in our struggles, and that there is always a way to find ourselves and be complete.


Line by Line Meaning

He's washing his face to start his day
He's beginning his day by preparing himself for what lies ahead


He's lonely, lonely, lonely, lonely
He's filled with a sense of loneliness that permeates every aspect of his being


Nothing in the mirror ever shows him what's within
He's searching for a deeper sense of self that is not reflected in his physical appearance


Now he's checking out the faces on the back of the milk
He's grasping for any connection with other human beings, even through something as trivial as a milk carton


He's sour under all this pressure
He's feeling overwhelmed by the stress and expectations placed upon him


He thinks the missing person looks an awful lot like him
He sees himself as someone who is incomplete, who is searching for a deeper understanding of who they are


Incomplete
He feels like a part of him is missing, like he is not whole


Where will you find yourself?
He's searching for a sense of purpose and identity that will bring him peace


'Cause you're the missing person now
He recognizes that he is the person he's been searching for


Step outside your doubts and let yourself be found
He needs to let go of his insecurities and fears and be open to discovering who he truly is


He's sick of the race to just save face
He's exhausted by the constant pressure to present a certain image to the world


He's tired and tried, he's sick and tired
He's worn out and exhausted by the struggle to find meaning and purpose in his life


He's tired of the holes that are keeping him incomplete
He's frustrated by the obstacles that are preventing him from finding wholeness and fulfillment


He'll push the pedal to the floor like the day before
He'll continue to go through the motions of life, even when he feels stuck and directionless


He's trying to be always trying
He's striving to improve himself and find answers, even when it feels impossible


Try to find an end to justify his means
He's looking for a sense of purpose that will make all of his struggles and efforts worthwhile


Where will you lose yourself?
He's wondering if he will become lost in his search for identity and meaning


And let yourself be found and let yourself be found
He's urging himself to be open and vulnerable, to let others help him on his journey towards wholeness




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: CHRIS LIGHT HESSE, DANIEL B. ESTRIN, DOUGLAS SEAN ROBB

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

Ana Rivera

He's washing his face to start his day
He's lonely, lonely, lonely, lonely
Nothing in the mirror ever shows him what's within
Now he's checking out the faces on the back of the milk
He's sour under all this pressure
He thinks the missing person looks an awful lot like him

And he starts his engine
But he knows he's missing gears

Incomplete
Where will you find yourself?
Incomplete
Where will you find yourself?
'Cause you're the missing person now
Step outside your doubts and let yourself be found

He's sick of the race to just save face
He's tired and tried, he's sick and tired
He's tired of the holes that are keeping him incomplete
He'll push the pedal to the floor like the day before
He's trying to be always trying
Try to find an end to justify his means

So he starts his engine
But he knows he's missing gears

Incomplete
Where will you find yourself?
Incomplete
Where will you find yourself?
'Cause you're the missing person now
Step outside the doubts and let yourself be found

So he starts his engine
But he knows that he's missing gears

Incomplete
Where will you find yourself?
Incomplete
Where will you lose yourself?
'Cause you're the missing person now
Step outside your doubts and let yourself be found
And let yourself be found and let yourself be found



Ned

"Incomplete"

Washing his face to start his day.
He's lonely, lonely, lonely, lonely.
Nothing in the mirror ever shows him what's within.

Now he's checking out the faces
On the back of the milk.
He's sour under all this pressure.
He thinks the missing person looks an awful lot like him.

And he starts his engine
But he knows he's missing gears.

Incomplete!
Where will you find yourself?
Incomplete!
Where will you find yourself?
'Cause you're the missing person now.
Step outside your doubt
And let yourself be found!

He's sick of the race just to save face.
He's tied and tried, he's sick and tired.
He's tired of the holes that are keeping him incomplete.

He'll push the pedal to the floor
Like the day before.
He's trying to be—, always trying—
Try to find an end to justify his means.

So, he starts his engine
But he knows he's missing gears.

Incomplete!
Where will you find yourself?
Incomplete!
Where will you find yourself?
'Cause you're the missing person now.
Step outside your doubt
And let yourself be found!

So, he starts his engine
But he knows he's missing gears.

Incomplete!
Where will you find yourself?
Incomplete!
Where will you lose yourself?
'Cause you're the missing person now.
Step outside your doubt
And let yourself be found!
And let yourself be found!
And let yourself be found



Cecilia Pilay

He's washing his face to start his day
He's lonely, lonely, lonely, lonely
Nothing in the mirror ever shows him what's within
Now he's checking out the faces on the back of the milk
He's sour under all this pressure
He thinks the missing person looks an awful lot like him
And he starts his engine
But he knows he's missing gears
Incomplete
Where will you find yourself?
Incomplete
Where will you find yourself?
'Cause you're the missing person now
Step outside your doubts and let yourself be found
He's sick of the race to just save face
He's tired and tried, he's sick and tired
He's tired of the holes that are keeping him incomplete
He'll push the pedal to the floor like the day before
He's trying to be always trying
Try to find an end to justify his means
So he…



All comments from YouTube:

janggoon

The more I listen to Switchfoot, the more I gravitate toward these earlier albums.

Dwayne Broska

True

david caron

I’ve always preferred them probably because I listened to them in college when I first got saved...but switchfoot now is great too, but yeah I gravitate towards theses too, more.

Jorge Montealegre

I don't know who the producer of this album was, but is just great, very different from the other ones which are not bad, but this album, musically is perfectly developed

f cai

Jorge Montealegre,

As far as I remember, it's Charlie Peacock—main producer of their first-three albums.

Manatee Power

Legend of chin was very raw, Learning to breathe and after were a bit overproduced, this one was just right.

Kārlis

probably my favorite band! thanks for existing guys :)

shellsies

One of my all time favorite songs!

Maria Exis

A band that I grew up with. I still have this cd in my car. It survived the 90's.

lindey

What a great band!!

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