First Time Home
Temporary Basement Lyrics
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Throw my hat in just the same
Cautious images project
Hold my head too tight, forget
You told me that you
Would read me for me
Not judge me by what my
The failings that I
Kept secret from you
Withhold them deep inside
Been broken much too long!
Run for weeks and comb my hair
Make each day stretch out itself
One way street I read the sign
Drive against all traffic lights
I'm on the floor again
Waiting for your phone call again!
Counting one last hope this year
Crippled by my numbered fears
Every memory cringe and sigh
Logged mistakes in bedsheets hide
You open up first
To leave me speechless
Unguarded and bare
One pause, to confess
You speak just to me
And crumple my shirt
If I had my choice
One choice to surface.
The song "First Time Home" by Temporary Basement speaks about the complexities of personal relationships and the anxieties that come with them. The lyrics suggest that the persona has a tough time opening up to someone they care about due to the fear of being rejected or judged. The lines "Cautious images project/ Hold my head too tight, forget" signify the persona's cautious attitude towards the relationship. It seems like the persona has had past experiences where they have felt rejected or broken, and they are trying to guard against experiencing the same pain again.
The second stanza of the song talks about the way the persona tries to present themselves in a positive light to impress the person they care about. They try to "comb [their] hair" and "make each day stretch out itself" to impress. However, deep down, they are feeling like they are fighting against the odds. The line "Drive against all traffic lights" signifies that the persona is taking risks by pursuing this relationship when all signs seem to discourage them from doing so.
The final stanza reveals an interesting twist, where the other person opens up first and confesses their feelings. This is a turning point where the persona becomes less guarded, and their vulnerability is reciprocated. The line "You speak just to me/ And crumple my shirt" signifies that the persona is moved and touched by this declaration of love. The song's closing phrase, "If I had my choice/ One choice to surface," suggests that the persona wishes they could be more open and honest in their relationships.
Line by Line Meaning
All Septembers start this way
Every year in September, I find myself in the same routine
Throw my hat in just the same
I go through the motions of my daily life without any variation
Cautious images project
I am always careful and calculating in the way I present myself to others
Hold my head too tight, forget
I am so focused on maintaining my facade that I forget to let loose and be myself
You told me that you
You assured me that you would accept me for who I am
Would read me for me
You would take the time to understand my true self
Not judge me by what my
You wouldn't judge me based on my
Shortcomings seem
apparent faults or weaknesses
The failings that I
The things I struggle with
Kept secret from you
That I have kept hidden from you
Withhold them deep inside
I have been keeping them locked away inside of me
Been broken much too long!
I have been emotionally damaged and hurt for far too long
Run for weeks and comb my hair
I try to escape from my feelings by focusing on superficial things like grooming
Make each day stretch out itself
I try to prolong each day to avoid facing my problems
One way street I read the sign
I feel trapped and directionless in my life
Drive against all traffic lights
I go against my better judgement and make reckless choices
I'm on the floor again
I am feeling defeated and powerless once more
Waiting for your phone call again!
I am desperately waiting for some form of comfort or validation from you
Counting one last hope this year
I am holding onto the belief that things will get better before the year ends
Crippled by my numbered fears
My anxieties have completely debilitated me
Every memory cringe and sigh
Each memory is tied to a negative emotion and causes me discomfort
Logged mistakes in bedsheets hide
I am haunted by my past mistakes and am unable to shake them off
You open up first
You take the first step in being vulnerable with me
To leave me speechless
Your honesty and openness leave me at a loss for words
Unguarded and bare
You are exposing your true self to me without hesitation
One pause, to confess
You take a moment to confess something to me
You speak just to me
Your words are meant for me and me alone
And crumple my shirt
Your words have a physical effect on me, making me feel emotional
If I had my choice
If I had control over the situation
One choice to surface.
I would choose to be honest and vulnerable, even if it is uncomfortable or difficult
Contributed by John J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.