Echoes
Tennis Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

(Finally found a place to lay my head)
(Looks so good from down here on this hospital bed)

I'll be the one to be undone
I'll go where the sun isn't shining
Once I was young
Those days are gone
Suddenly I'm thirty-three
And on a gurney

Apologies and obligations
All the myriad sensations compounding

Echoes in my brain
Echoed in refrain
Always a replay
Like a Grecian tragedy

Oh where the time goes
Who really knows

You said, "Get a doctor"
"My wife's going under"
She's off where the sun isn't shinning
I thought I would argue
Or cleverly bargain
It looks like I won't be going down stoically

Oh to love you and be loved
To have the final memory of you compounding

Echoes in my brain
Echoed in refrain
Echoes all the same way, oh

Way, oh
Way, oh
Way, ooh, ooh-ooh

Oh where the time goes
Who really knows




Oh where the time goes
Who really knows

Overall Meaning

In "Echoes" by Tennis, the lyrics depict a scene in a hospital where the singer finds themselves lying on a hospital bed, reflecting on the passing of time and the weight of their responsibilities. The opening lines suggest a sense of relief and comfort in finding a place to rest, albeit in the sterile environment of a hospital. The lyrics then emphasize the singer's feeling of being overwhelmed and undone, desiring to escape the darkness and find a more vibrant and sunny place. These thoughts are interwoven with the acknowledgment of getting older, specifically reaching the age of thirty-three and being faced with mortality, as symbolized by being on a gurney.


The chorus delves into the internal struggle and emotional burden the singer carries. The echoes in their brain symbolize the recurring thoughts and memories that haunt them, like the repetitions of a Grecian tragedy. The uncertainty of time is also contemplated, as they question where it goes and admit that nobody truly knows.


The second verse introduces a conversation happening near the hospital bed, where someone announces that their spouse is in a critical condition and urges them to find a doctor. The singer contemplates arguing or making a clever bargain, but eventually accepts the situation and acknowledges that they won't face it stoically. The desire to love and be loved is expressed, accompanied by the recognition that these final memories will compound and resonate within their mind.


Overall, "Echoes" delves into themes of mortality, the passage of time, and the burdens of responsibility and emotional attachments. It invites reflection on the inescapable nature of certain life circumstances, echoing through one's mind and leaving lasting impressions.


Line by Line Meaning

(Finally found a place to lay my head)
After searching for a long time, I have finally found a place to rest and find solace.


(Looks so good from down here on this hospital bed)
Despite being in a hospital bed, everything appears desirable and promising from this perspective.


I'll be the one to be undone
I will be the person who experiences downfall or failure.


I'll go where the sun isn't shining
I will venture into places or situations where there is no happiness or positivity.


Once I was young
There was a time when I was youthful and full of energy.


Those days are gone
Those days have passed and are no longer present.


Suddenly I'm thirty-three
In an unexpected manner, I am now thirty-three years old.


And on a gurney
I find myself lying on a stretcher or hospital bed.


Apologies and obligations
Expressions of remorse and responsibilities that need to be fulfilled.


All the myriad sensations compounding
Various complex emotions and feelings intensify and accumulate.


Echoes in my brain
Repetitive thoughts and memories resound in my mind.


Echoed in refrain
Repeated with the same pattern and melody.


Always a replay
It is constantly repeated or recalled.


Like a Grecian tragedy
Similar to a dramatic and sorrowful event as seen in Greek tragedies.


Oh where the time goes
Expressing uncertainty about the passage of time and how it slips away.


Who really knows
Questioning if anyone truly understands or has knowledge of this phenomenon.


You said, "Get a doctor"
You instructed to seek medical help.


"My wife's going under"
My spouse is undergoing a difficult situation or experiencing decline.


She's off where the sun isn't shining
She has gone to a place or situation where there is sadness or darkness.


I thought I would argue
I believed I would engage in a disagreement or debate.


Or cleverly bargain
Or try to negotiate or make a cunning deal.


It looks like I won't be going down stoically
It seems unlikely that I will face this calmly or with indifference.


Oh to love you and be loved
How wonderful it is to experience both giving and receiving love from you.


To have the final memory of you compounding
To hold onto the last impression or recollection of you that intensifies over time.


Echoes in my brain
Repetitive thoughts and memories continue to echo in my mind.


Echoed in refrain
Repeated with the same pattern and melody, creating a refrain-like effect.


Echoes all the same way, oh
The echoes follow a consistent pattern, resulting in a sense of repetition.


Way, oh
An exclamation emphasizing the previous lines.


Way, oh
An exclamation emphasizing the previous lines.


Way, ooh, ooh-ooh
An exclamation expressing emotional intensity or emphasis.


Oh where the time goes
Expressing uncertainty about the passage of time and how it slips away.


Who really knows
Questioning if anyone truly understands or has knowledge of this phenomenon.




Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Patrick Riley, Alaina Moore-Riley

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found
Most interesting comment from YouTube:

Stacia

I'll be the one to be undone
I'll go where the sun isn't shining
Once I was young
Those days are gone
Suddenly I'm thirty-three
And on a gurney
Apologies and obligations
All the myriad sensations compounding

Echoes in my brain
Echoed in refrain
Always a replay
Like a Grecian tragedy

Oh where the time goes
Who really knows

You said, "Get a doctor"
"My wife's going under"
She's off where the sun isn't shinning
I thought I would argue
Or cleverly bargain
It looks like I won't be going down stoically

Oh to love you and be loved
To have the final memory of you compounding
Echoes in my brain
Echoed in refrain
Echoes all the same way, oh
Way, oh
Way, oh
Way, ooh, ooh-ooh

Oh where the time goes
Who really knows
Oh where the time goes
Who really knows



All comments from YouTube:

CowChild777

They really just wrote my whole summer playlist.

TreenaBeena

When you know the real meaning behind this song, it’s that much sweeter. What a beautiful ode to Alaina’s health scare that rocked them both.

allieallieallie

Cape Dory walked so Swimmer could run 👏🏼 I’m absolutely in love with this album 😭

Flower Child

allieallieallie more like Cape Dory ran so Swimmer could walk. But yesssss !!! 100% :))

allieallieallie

Flower Child hm maybe more cape dory paved the way so swimmer could run lol it made sense in my head

Flower Child

allieallieallie haha doesn’t matter, I’m sure they understand what we’re trying to convey. both may be right ;)

Stacia

I'll be the one to be undone
I'll go where the sun isn't shining
Once I was young
Those days are gone
Suddenly I'm thirty-three
And on a gurney
Apologies and obligations
All the myriad sensations compounding

Echoes in my brain
Echoed in refrain
Always a replay
Like a Grecian tragedy

Oh where the time goes
Who really knows

You said, "Get a doctor"
"My wife's going under"
She's off where the sun isn't shinning
I thought I would argue
Or cleverly bargain
It looks like I won't be going down stoically

Oh to love you and be loved
To have the final memory of you compounding
Echoes in my brain
Echoed in refrain
Echoes all the same way, oh
Way, oh
Way, oh
Way, ooh, ooh-ooh

Oh where the time goes
Who really knows
Oh where the time goes
Who really knows

Damian Centanni

Thank You for the Lyrics 🎵🎸💚

꧁Lotus Auer꧂

Not a single dislike, is everything you make literally just gold??

D1ETPUSSY

I knew this album would be good. I missed them so much since 2017🥺😭💜

More Comments

More Versions