The Clumsy Lovers are a well-regarded and eclectic Celtic jam band based in… Read Full Bio ↴The Clumsy Lovers are a well-regarded and eclectic Celtic jam band based in Vancouver, British Columbia, with more than 1500 live performances in a decade to its credit. Its current line-up consists of Jason Homey on banjo and mandolin, Chris Jonat on bass guitar and vocals, Andrea Lewis on fiddle and vocals, Gord Robert on drums, and Trevor Rogers on vocals, guitar, harmonica and percussion. Their seventh and most recent album, Smart Kid, is their second on Nettwerk Records.

Checking Out
The Clumsy Lovers Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Checkin Out (Trevor Rogers)

It's much too early in the morning
Don't want to have to face the day
Light is streaming in forming shadows on the wall
Staring at the ceiling, don't quite know how I'm feeling

Your words they hurt like a fracture

Kind of like a needle piercing skin
I would never have cared, if they were said by anyone else
Time for a change you said, nothing lasts ever after

Yes I am almost decided
Very close to getting out of bed
No need to knock, cause I'm getting ready to walk
I'm checking out, I'm checking out

I didn't know what to tell you
I didn't know what to say
All that is clear, is the hope gave way to fear
Fear of the unknown, frightened like a little child

The fragrance is sweet and familiar
Feels like I've been here before
But everything is new, and the door I'm passing through
Finally feels like home, no more do I feel alone

I've finally climbed the highest mountain
Feel like I'm walking on air

Bright is the sun, the journey has begun
I'm checking out, I'm checking out

Overall Meaning

The Clumsy Lovers's song "Checking Out" is a reflection of apprehension and newfound excitement in the singer's life. The song begins with the singer dreading the start of the day, almost akin to feeling helpless in his current situation. He has been hurt from the actions and worsened by the dialogue of another individual. The singer portrays melancholy from the thought of change and not knowing what the future holds. The phrase "Fear of the unknown, frightened like a little child" gives connotation that the singer is at a crossroads in life feeling vulnerable as if not knowing what to do next.

However, the tables gradually turn as he shifts from melancholy to hopefulness. The sweet aroma and sense of familiarity make him feel optimistic, and everything starts to seem new, giving him a sense of confidence that what lies ahead is worth waiting for. There is almost a sense of liberation and triumph when he sings, "I've finally climbed the highest mountain/FeeI like I'm walking on air" to show that he has finally gotten over the hill and the journey has begun.

"Checking Out" is a story that resonates with anyone at a turning point in their life. It carries an intentional message of hope for those who find themselves at a similar crossroads. The Clumsy Lovers achieved a perfect blend of a meditative and uplifting tone, backed by the guitar and violin, in capturing the essence of the song.

Line by Line Meaning

It's much too early in the morning
I am still tired and sleep deprived

Don't want to have to face the day
I am not ready to handle the challenges of the day

Light is streaming in forming shadows on the wall
The sunlight is casting shadows in the room

Staring at the ceiling, don't quite know how I'm feeling
I am looking at the ceiling and feeling confused about my emotions

Your words they hurt like a fracture
Your words are painful and impactful

Kind of like a needle piercing skin
The pain from your words is sharp and intense

I would never have cared, if they were said by anyone else
I would not have been affected by those words if someone else said them

Time for a change you said, nothing lasts ever after
You suggested that it's time for a change and that nothing lasts forever

Yes I am almost decided
I am close to making a decision

Very close to getting out of bed
I am getting ready to leave the bed

No need to knock, cause I'm getting ready to walk
You don't have to knock as I am about to leave

I'm checking out, I'm checking out
I am leaving and moving on from this situation

I didn't know what to tell you
I didn't have a response for you

I didn't know what to say
I was at a loss for words

All that is clear, is the hope gave way to fear
All that is evident to me is that hope has been replaced by fear

Fear of the unknown, frightened like a little child
I am scared of what is unknown, and the fear is overwhelming me

The fragrance is sweet and familiar
The scent is nice and reminds me of something familiar

Feels like I've been here before
It seems like I have experienced this before

But everything is new, and the door I'm passing through
Although everything feels familiar, this is a new experience for me as I walk through the door

Finally feels like home, no more do I feel alone
I finally feel at home, and I am no longer lonely

I've finally climbed the highest mountain
I have finally accomplished the most challenging task

Feel like I'm walking on air
I feel content and happy

Bright is the sun, the journey has begun
The sun is shining bright, and my journey is just starting

I'm checking out, I'm checking out
I am leaving and moving forward on my journey

Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS

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