I And Love And You
The Avett Brothers Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Load the car and write the note
Grab your bag and grab your coat
Tell the ones that need to know
We are headed north

One foot in and one foot back
But it don't pay to live like that
So I cut the ties and I jumped the tracks
For never to return

Ah Brooklyn, Brooklyn take me in
Are you aware the shape I'm in?
My hands they shake, my head it spins
Ah Brooklyn, Brooklyn take me in

When at first I learned to speak
I used all my words to fight
With him and her and you and me
Ah, but it's just a waste of time
Yeah, it's such a waste of time

That woman she's got eyes that shine
Like a pair of stolen polished dimes
She asked to dance, I said it's fine
I'll see you in the morning time
Ah Brooklyn, Brooklyn take me in
Are you aware the shape I'm in?
My hands they shake, my head it spins
Ah Brooklyn, Brooklyn take me in

Three words that became hard to say
I and love and you
What you were then I am today
Look at the things I do

Ah Brooklyn, Brooklyn take me in
Are you aware the shape I'm in?
My hands they shake, my head it spins
Ah Brooklyn, Brooklyn take me in

Brooklyn, Brooklyn take me in
Are you aware the shape I'm in?
Oh, my hands they shake, my head it spins (spins)
Ah Brooklyn, Brooklyn take me in

Dumbed down and numbed by time and age
Your dreams that catch the world the cage
The highway sets the traveler's stage
All exits look the same

Three words that became hard to say
I and love and you




I and love and you
I and love and you

Overall Meaning

The Avett Brother's song "I And Love And You" is a beautifully written ballad that tells a story of leaving behind the past to start anew. In the first verse, the lyrics "Load the car and write the note, grab your bag and grab your coat, tell the ones that need to know we are headed north" signify the act of leaving a place behind, possibly due to dissatisfaction or wanting to escape past experiences. The second verse talks about the singer's struggle to communicate effectively with others, describing the feeling of constantly fighting and arguing. However, the realization that it is just a "waste of time" leads him to leave behind that negative energy and start afresh.


The chorus, "Ah Brooklyn, Brooklyn take me in, are you aware the shape I'm in? My hands they shake, my head it spins" showcases the vulnerability and desire for a place of comfort amidst the chaos. The repetition of Brooklyn could mean the city itself, but it could also be a metaphor for a person or state of mind. The final verse talks about the struggle of finding one's place in the world, feeling confined by society's expectations, and again the sentiment of needing love and comfort in uncertain times.


Overall, "I And Love And You" captures the essence of starting anew and finding home in unexpected places. The lyrics are beautifully crafted and have an emotional depth that resonates with listeners.


Line by Line Meaning

Load the car and write the note
Pack our belongings and leave a message behind


Grab your bag and grab your coat
Gather everything you need for a journey


Tell the ones that need to know
Inform those who have a stake in our departure


We are headed north
We are going in a different direction, seeking something new


One foot in and one foot back
Being indecisive or unsure of our direction in life


But it don't pay to live like that
Living half-heartedly or without commitment doesn't bring rewards


So I cut the ties and I jumped the tracks
I left behind the old ways and ventured into the unknown


For never to return
This is a new beginning and there's no going back


Ah Brooklyn, Brooklyn take me in
Addressing a city or place as a person, seeking refuge or belonging


Are you aware the shape I'm in?
Asking for understanding, despite looking or feeling broken


My hands they shake, my head it spins
Expressing anxiety or nervousness


When at first I learned to speak
Referring to childhood or early life experiences


I used all my words to fight
Focusing on conflict or argument rather than understanding


With him and her and you and me
Including everyone we come into contact with


Ah, but it's just a waste of time
Acknowledging the futility of constant fighting or animosity


That woman she's got eyes that shine
Describing a woman or individual with qualities that stand out


Like a pair of stolen polished dimes
Simile comparing the shine in her eyes to that on a shiny dime


She asked to dance, I said it's fine
A simple interaction setting the stage for something more


I'll see you in the morning time
Referring to a future arrangement or meeting


Three words that became hard to say
Referring to the phrase 'I love you'


What you were then I am today
Comparing past experiences to the present


Look at the things I do
Actions speak louder than words


Dumbed down and numbed by time and age
Acknowledging a sense of societal pressure to conform or lose one's passion


Your dreams that catch the world the cage
Referencing the challenges of pursuing creative or unconventional paths


The highway sets the traveler's stage
Metaphor for life being a journey with different stages and paths


All exits look the same
Feeling lost or directionless, unsure of which path to take


I and love and you
Reiterating the important phrase 'I love you' as a central theme




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Robert Crawford, Scott Avett, Timothy Avett

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

@santiagoadamich8287

I and Love and You
The Avett Brothers
Load the car and write the note
Grab your bag and grab your coat
Tell the ones that need to know
We are headed north
One foot in and one foot back
But it don't pay to live like that
So I cut the ties and I jumped the tracks
For never to return
Oh, Brooklyn, Brooklyn, take me in
Are you aware the shape I'm in?
My hands they shake, my head it spins
Oh, Brooklyn, Brooklyn, take me in
When at first I learned to speak
I used all my words to fight
With him and her and you and me
Ah, but it's just a waste of time
Yeah, it's such a waste of time
That woman she's got eyes that shine
Like a pair of stolen polished dimes
She asked to dance, I said it's fine
I'll see you in the morning time
Oh, Brooklyn, Brooklyn, take me in
Are you aware the shape I'm in?
My hands they shake, my head it spins
Oh, Brooklyn, Brooklyn, take me in
Three words that became hard to say
I and Love and You
What you were then, I am today
Look at the things I do
Oh, Brooklyn, Brooklyn, take me in
Are you aware the shape I'm in?
My hands they shake, my head it spins
Oh, Brooklyn, Brooklyn take me in
Brooklyn, Brooklyn take me in
Are you aware the shape I'm in
My hands they shake, my head it spins, (spins)
Oh, Brooklyn, Brooklyn take me in
Dumbed-down and numbed by time and age
Your dreams the catch, the world the cage
The highway sets the travelers stage
All exits look the same
Three words that became hard to say
I and Love and You
I and Love and You
I and Love and You



All comments from YouTube:

@robertbrewer5441

I named my daughter Brooklynn after falling in love with this song, and subsequently this band. I've been singing this song to my Brooklynn since she was still in the womb. She's 3.5 now and begs to hear "her song" all the time. She even sings along to it now.

@ShemShow

Thank you for sharing..Now I'm crying..

@robertbrewer5441

@@ShemShow aww

@brooklynbaker3597

My name is brooklyn

@andrewmelone8819

I was going to get married to this song, but it didn't work out. I spent a lot of time resenting this song, and my resentment had nothing to do with the song itself. I introduced this song to my ex and we both, in our own way, fell in love with it. And even though we didn't work out, I think it's beautiful I was able to share something like this with someone. Sometimes, love doesn't work. There's too many obstacles, too many differences. That doesn't mean you stop trying, or that you give up. All it means is that, someone came along who meant a lot to you, and they left an impact on your life. And that should be cherished. And you should never give up on love.

@DogDaysohlala

How's things going now Andrew?

@sylinify

God bless you

@powlperc

Good attitude

@averys.9666

I called off my own engagement last spring and I felt the same. I was so hurt and upset and couldn’t imagine how things had gone so wrong out of the blue after years together. I think this year I’m finally accepting that sometimes relationships just don’t work out but I should give future ones the same hope I gave my past one regardless and to enjoy the journey, appreciating what happened. Life is just unpredictable that way, but it’s still worth it.

@bradspunaugle8180

Right on Andrew it's always been one of my favorites And even when it doesn't work out just trust and believe they were there at that time and place for a reason and a purpose
People come into our lives for a time a reason or a season

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