When I Do
Tall Dark Friend Lyrics
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a jukebox or a human spider?
a curveball or a ball on a string?
so many questions, so little time
if this is what it means to be human,
to live on planet Earth
with no idea, no map of the forest,
no lipstick to match my conscience,
i'll have no part of it
sleep now
let the world come in
sleep now
don't let them get under your skin!
now I look into my head
and I've never been so scared
to look inside
not too dark
and not too light
not so serious
but not so shy
no, i just wanna play for you
hah
sleep now
it's where the wild things play
peace out
it doesn't matter anyway
and when I look into my head
and I've never been so scared
to look inside
paint my face
and lose my tie
i got so sick of the same old lies
now i just wanna play for you
and i want you to love it when i do!
i swear its true
and i want you to love it when i do
i know its dark but
stay strong cus
it takes money to keep the lights on
now we have no money to watch the world burn
now you're coming home
you're running home with me
you won't find my love
in a deep, dark part of me
you won't find my love
in a bar in New Orleans
you won't find my love
in a new wave symphony
i know its dark but
stay strong cus
it takes money to keep the lights on
now we have no money to watch the world burn
now you're coming home
you're running home with me
and i swear it's true
that i want you to love it when i do!
and i swear it's true
that i want you to love it when i do
end
The song "When I Do" by Tall Dark Friend is a thought-provoking and introspective musing on the existential questions of identity and purpose. The opening lines of the song ask the question "Am I a girl or a boy? a jukebox or a human spider? a curveball or a ball on a string?" These questions hint at the fleeting and confusing nature of identity and the search for meaning in life. The singer expresses a feeling of being lost and without direction, describing the experience of being human as having "no idea, no map of the forest, no lipstick to match my conscience, and only one phone call if you wind up in jail."
The chorus of the song encourages the listener to "sleep now" and not let the world get under their skin, indicating a need to detach from the chaos of life and find peace within oneself. The singer admits to being scared to look inside their own head, a metaphor for exploring their own thoughts and emotions. The song then shifts to a more lighthearted tone with the refrain "not too dark and not too light, not so serious but not so shy, no, I just wanna play for you." This can be interpreted as a desire to find joy in creating and sharing art with others.
The final verse of the song returns to a more serious tone, acknowledging the darkness and uncertainty of the world while still holding onto a sense of hope and love. The singer declares that they want the listener to love their art, demonstrating a desire for connection and validation in a world that can often feel isolating and overwhelming.
Line by Line Meaning
am I a girl or a boy?
I am questioning my gender identity and cannot define myself as a traditional binary gender.
a jukebox or a human spider?
I am unsure of my identity and cannot easily categorize myself as one thing or another.
a curveball or a ball on a string?
I am complex and multidimensional, and cannot be easily defined or predicted.
so many questions, so little time
I am overwhelmed by the depth and complexity of my own identity and the world around me.
if this is what it means to be human, to live on planet Earth with no idea, no map of the forest, no lipstick to match my conscience, and only one phone call if you wind up in jail, i'll have no part of it
The existential and societal pressures of being human are too great, and I am rejecting them in favor of being true to myself.
sleep now, let the world come in. sleep now, don't let them get under your skin!
It is important to take a break from the chaos of the world and protect oneself from its negativity.
now I look into my head and I've never been so scared to look inside
Introspection is daunting and difficult, and looking inward can reveal uncomfortable truths about oneself.
not too dark and not too light, not so serious but not so shy, no, I just wanna play for you
I am finding a balance between different parts of myself and want to share my light-hearted and playful side with others.
sleep now, it's where the wild things play, peace out, it doesn't matter anyway
Escaping into one's own imagination and peace of mind is important, regardless of the troubles in the world.
paint my face and lose my tie, I got so sick of the same old lies, now I just wanna play for you
I am shedding societal expectations and pressures and embracing my true, playful self.
and I want you to love it when I do! I swear it's true
I crave acceptance and love for being myself, and am being genuine in expressing this desire.
I know it's dark but stay strong cus, it takes money to keep the lights on, now we have no money to watch the world burn, now you're coming home, you're running home with me, you won't find my love in a deep, dark part of me, you won't find my love in a bar in New Orleans, you won't find my love in a new wave symphony
The world may be difficult and dark, but it is important to preserve hope and love in the face of adversity. My love is not tied to external factors or material possessions, but instead comes from within myself.
and I swear it's true that I want you to love it when I do!
I am being genuine when I express my desire for acceptance, and hope that others can appreciate me for who I truly am.
Contributed by Joseph N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Rose Checkland
My school made a cover of this song! She has been at our school twice and she is like our diversity mascot! Beautiful person!
So Fasrus
what school
Miss Tweezle. X
“Love won’t last forever like a poem on a page but the sweetest part of a human heart is knowing it can change”
Kevin Vincent Buchanan
Beautiful video for a genuinely amazing song, I can't get enough of it 💜💛💚💙💖👍
Aidenx
This gave me goosebumps. I'm so happy for you, Jordan.
abby petie
I've listened to this song at least 20 times in 2 days; it's such a brilliant song :)
Gabi Dean
Love this song and video. I don't think you realise how amazing you are. Looking forward to hearing more incredible music from you.x
Bornstellar377
I just hear her live at Coventry Pride. She is a great performer. Her voice is good and she has an amazing sense of humour. <3
JadyBaby x
Absolutely love what you've done with the video so creative and different .... just in love with your style could honestly just listen again again would love to see you again xx
Jak Kav
+JadyBaby x Many thanks!