Their live performances, generally at smaller venues, showcase their use of three-part harmony and southern rock feel, and are admired for being intense, energetic, and soulful. The Avetts have been picking up steam opening for Dave Matthews Band and playing SXSW and Newport Folk Festival.
Backwards With Time
The Avett Brothers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The older the man, yeah, the stronger the stone
Am I losing my mind?
Am I growing backwards with time?
Some say with age that a purpose comes clear
I see the opposite happening here
Are we losing the fight?
I was young and love was fun
Now it's so serious
Now all the fun has equal pain
There's something wrong with this
For all I know there's more I don't
Oh the little I have learned
For every year of knowledge gained
Is a negative year I've earned
Folk always told me that my heart would grow
The older the man, yeah, the stronger the stone
Am I losing my mind?
The Avett Brothers' song "Backwards With Time" is a reflection on the often-said adage that with age comes wisdom and understanding, but the singer is finding the opposite to be true. The first verse questions if his mind is deteriorating as he grows older, as it feels like he's "growing backwards with time." This is followed by a reflection on the idea that as people age, they often find clarity in their purpose, but for the singer, the opposite is happening. He asks if they're "losing the fight" and growing backwards.
The second verse reflects on how love used to be fun but has now become serious and painful. This shift represents a negative year of earned experience for every year of knowledge gained, leading to a sense of hopelessness in the singer. The final line of the verse, "For all I know there's more I don't," highlights the feeling of never truly understanding the world or oneself, no matter how much one has lived.
Overall, "Backwards With Time" speaks to the struggles of aging and the feeling that despite growing older, one is not necessarily growing wiser or more capable, but instead losing parts of themselves. It touches on the complex nature of time and how its unforgiving march forward can bring feelings of nostalgia, loss, and despair.
Line by Line Meaning
Folk always told me that my heart would grow
People always said that as I got older, my capacity for love and compassion would increase
The older the man, yeah, the stronger the stone
As men age, they become more resilient and unyielding in their beliefs and values
Am I losing my mind?
Is my mental state deteriorating or regressing?
Some say with age that a purpose comes clear
Many people believe that as they age, their life's purpose or meaning becomes clearer or more defined
I see the opposite happening here
However, I seem to be experiencing the opposite effect
Are we losing the fight?
Is the fight against mortality and the loss of vitality becoming more challenging as we age?
I was young and love was fun
When I was young, romantic relationships were exciting and enjoyable
Now it's so serious
But now, love feels weighty, suffocating, and serious
Now all the fun has equal pain
The joy and pleasure I once felt in love is now equally matched by the pain and heartbreak that come with it
There's something wrong with this
I get the sense that something is off or amiss with this situation
For all I know there's more I don't
Despite my accumulated knowledge and experience, there is still so much I have yet to learn and understand
Oh the little I have learned
I am humbled by how little I have actually learned, despite my years on this earth
For every year of knowledge gained
Although I may gain new knowledge and insights with each passing year
Is a negative year I've earned
It feels like I am losing more than I am gaining, as each year brings new challenges and difficulties that chip away at my sense of self and well-being
Contributed by Colin H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.