Oh Joe
The Car Is On Fire Lyrics


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It striked me once hard
I've realized
all that I used to be a child

Everything's fine now
seems ok
sometimes scared of someday
Don't know where all the years has gone
I guess I've been twenty since I was born

Oh, Joe, I can't hear you knocking at my door
(I know you worry, but I'll always be calling you my friend)
Oh, Joe, I can't hear you knocking at my door
(Sometimes it's scary, though I'll always be calling you again)
Do you know I can't hear you knocking at my door?
Oh, Joe, do you know?

It's easier not to think of that when you stand up
It's easier not to think of that when you stand up
It's easier not to think of that when you stand up
It's easier not to think of that when you stand up
It's easier not to think of that when you stand up

It's easier not to think of that when you stand up
It's easier not to think of that when you stand up
It's easier not to think of that when you stand up
It's easier not to think of that when you stand up
It's easier not to think of that when you stand up

I loved a boy
with whom I wasn't in love with
I liked him more
than I like myself

I loved a boy
who liked me more than girlfriend
And after all
my only one is away

It's easier not to think of that when you stand up
It's easier not to think of that when you stand up
It's easier not to think of that when you stand up
It's easier not to think of that when you stand up

It's easier not to think of that when you stand up
It's easier not to think of that when you stand up
It's easier not to think of that when you stand up
It's easier not to think of that when you stand up
It's easier not to think of that when you stand up
It's easier not to think of that when you stand up





It's easier not to think of that when you stand up

Overall Meaning

The Car Is On Fire's 'Oh Joe' is a melancholic and introspective song about nostalgia, lost love, growing up, and friendship. The first stanza describes the realization of how quickly time passes and how the singer misses the innocence of childhood. The second stanza addresses the fear of the unknown future and the passing of time, which are common concerns for young adults. The refrain of "Oh Joe, I can't hear you knocking at my door" suggests that the singer is reaching out to a friend for comfort and support.


The third stanza is a personal reflection on unrequited love and a failed relationship. The singer admits that she loved someone who didn't reciprocate her feelings and that she liked him more than she liked herself. The repetition of "It's easier not to think of that when you stand up" at the end of each verse implies that the singer is avoiding facing the painful truth of her past by distracting herself with mundane activities like standing up. The repetition of this line throughout the song also conveys the overwhelming feeling of numbness and detachment that she experiences.


Overall, 'Oh Joe' is a poignant and relatable song that captures the struggles and emotions of young adulthood. It expresses the universal desire for connection, understanding, and the fleeting nature of time.


Line by Line Meaning

It striked me once hard
I had a realization that hit me hard


I've realized
I have come to the understanding


all that I used to be a child
I reminisce about my childhood


Everything's fine now
Things are good at the moment


seems ok
It appears to be alright


sometimes scared of someday
I have anxiety about the future


Don't know where all the years has gone
I am unsure of how time has passed so quickly


I guess I've been twenty since I was born
I feel like I have not grown or changed since I was young


Oh, Joe, I can't hear you knocking at my door
I am distracted and not paying attention to my friend Joe


(I know you worry, but I'll always be calling you my friend)
I appreciate Joe's concern, but I still consider him a friend


Do you know I can't hear you knocking at my door?
I wonder if Joe realizes how distant I am


It's easier not to think of that when you stand up
Avoiding certain thoughts is easier when I am busy or moving around


I loved a boy
I had feelings of love for a certain boy


with whom I wasn't in love with
But I did not truly love him back


I liked him more
But I still had an affection for him


than I like myself
More than I like or value myself


who liked me more than girlfriend
The boy had feelings for me that were stronger than his feelings for his girlfriend


And after all
Despite everything


my only one is away
The person I truly love is not with me




Writer(s): Jakub Czubak, Borys Dejnarowicz, Krzysztof Halicz, Jacek Szabranski Copyright: Sm Publishing (Poland) Sp. Z O.O.

Contributed by Jeremiah P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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