vanity
The Avett Brothers Lyrics

The song "Vanity" by The Avett Brothers is an introspective piece that delves into the theme of self-importance and how it ultimately leads to a feeling of emptiness. The first two lines of the song, "I've got something to say / But it's all vanity, it's all vanity," set the tone for the entire piece. The singer has an urge to express something, but realizes that ultimately, it is meaningless and superficial.

The next lines, "I found a tune I could play / But it's all vanity, it's all vanity," show how even the creative process can become tainted by vanity. The singer has found something they can excel at, but even that is subsumed by self-importance. The lines "I have a plan for the day / But it's all vanity, it's all vanity" suggest that even daily tasks and plans can become hollow if fueled by the need for recognition or praise.

The repetition of the lines "call off the guards / call off the search / their heads are chopped off / they're running in circles / they're running in circles" emphasizes the sense of futility in trying to find meaning within the confines of vanity. The final lines, "I've got love pouring out of my veins / But it's all vanity, it's all vanity," suggest that even love, which is often seen as the antidote to emptiness, can be distorted and lost when driven by self-importance.

Overall, the song serves as a meditation on self-awareness and the dangers of being consumed by vanity. It posits that true fulfillment can only be found in a recognition of the larger world outside of the self, and a commitment to something larger than one's own ego.