Empty Page
The Crane Wives Lyrics
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Of people far more advanced than me
Every thought that I've ever had
Could be ripped from a magazine
Cut me a path, and I will follow it
Draw me a line, and I′ll avoid it
I'm nothing if not obedient
You have my word
I am an empty page
A muddled shade of paint
I am a light that's burning out
I am a light that′s burning out
I have hands that shake
When there are cuts to make
You′ll do it better, show me how
You'll do it better, show me how
Tie me up by my callow belief
Someday I′ll make something out of me
Years of imitating mastery
Only made me a better thief
I am an empty page
A muddled shade of paint
I am a light that's burning out
I am a light that′s burning out
I have hands that shake
When there are cuts to make
You'll do it better, show me how
You′ll do it better, show me how
I am an empty page
A muddled shade of paint
I am a light that's burning out
I am a light that's burning out
I have hands that shake
When there are cuts to make
You′ll do it better, show me how
You′ll do it better, show me how
In "Empty Page," The Crane Wives discuss their feelings of inadequacy in comparison to others who are far more advanced and successful than they are. The singer laments that every thought she has ever had could easily be ripped from a magazine, and she describes herself as an empty page that is a muddled shade of paint. She recognizes her own shortcomings and lack of originality, and confesses that she is nothing if not obedient. She is willing to follow any path that is cut for her, but she is also conscious of the fact that she will never be able to make the cuts herself. Her hands shake when there are cuts to make, and she acknowledges that others will always be able to do it better.
Despite her self-doubt and insecurities, the singer expresses a desire to create something meaningful out of her life. She acknowledges that her years of imitating mastery have only made her a better thief, and she hopes that someday she will be able to use her experiences and talents to create something that is truly her own. However, for now she remains an empty page, a light that is burning out, waiting for someone else to show her how to create something beautiful.
Overall, "Empty Page" is a song about the struggle to find one's own voice and to create something that is genuinely unique and meaningful. The singer acknowledges her own limitations and recognizes that she is still learning and growing as an artist. Despite her self-doubt, she remains optimistic about the future and determined to make something out of herself.
Line by Line Meaning
I′m just a ten cent copy
I feel like a cheap imitation of others who are more advanced than me
Of people far more advanced than me
I compare myself to those who are more skilled or knowledgeable than me
Every thought that I've ever had
My ideas and opinions seem unoriginal and unimportant
Could be ripped from a magazine
I feel like my ideas lack originality and are not mine alone
Cut me a path, and I will follow it
If someone provides me with guidance or direction, I will obediently follow it
Draw me a line, and I′ll avoid it
I am subservient to authority and will do what I'm told, even if it goes against my personal desires
I'm nothing if not obedient
I am obedient and submissive to others
You have my word
I promise to follow through on my obedience
I am an empty page
I feel like I lack creativity and original thoughts
A muddled shade of paint
I feel like my identity is unclear and undefined
I am a light that's burning out
I feel like my potential is diminishing and I am losing my spark
I have hands that shake
I lack confidence in my abilities
When there are cuts to make
When there are difficult decisions or actions to take
You'll do it better, show me how
I believe others are more capable than me and I will follow their lead
Tie me up by my callow belief
I am restrained by my naïve and inexperienced beliefs
Someday I′ll make something out of me
I cling to the hope that I will one day fulfill my potential and find my purpose
Years of imitating mastery
I have spent years trying to mimic the skills and abilities of others who have mastered their craft
Only made me a better thief
Despite my efforts to imitate others, I feel like I am still lacking in my own abilities
Writer(s): Kate Pillsbury
Contributed by Mila M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@ran6643
[Verse 1]
I’m just a ten cent copy
Of people far more advanced than me
Every thought that I’ve ever had
Could be ripped from a magazine
Cut me a path, and I will follow it
Draw me a line, and I’ll avoid it
I’m nothing if not obedient
You have my word
You have my word
[Chorus]
I am an empty page
A muddled shade of paint
I am a light that’s burning out
I am a light that’s burning out
I have hands that shake
When there are cuts to make
You’ll do it better, show me how
You’ll do it better, show me how
[Verse 2]
Tie me up by my callow belief
Someday I’ll make something out of me
Years of imitating mastery
Only made me a better thief
[Chorus]
I am an empty page
A muddled shade of paint
I am a light that’s burning out
I am a light that’s burning out
I have hands that shake
When there are cuts to make
You’ll do it better, show me how
You’ll do it better, show me how
I am an empty page
A muddled shade of paint
I am a light that’s burning out
I am a light that’s burning out
I have hands that shake
When there are cuts to make
You’ll do it better, show me how
You’ll do it better, show me how
@chibi-mania4905
wait how many times has kate sung the lead and i didn’t realize 😭😭
@scottsharp1763
Dude! lol she plays guitar as well lol 😂
@coolkid-wk3kh
she sings lead on “safe ship, harbored” too haha
@lemonlordminecraft
I got so thrown off because their accents are identical!!! If I hadn't seen it I could've been convinced Emilee was singing just without her usual stylings for this one
@bugeyedcherry
@@lemonlordminecraft UNDERSTANDABLE!! They all started out in Grand Rapids, Michigan, so I wouldn't be surprised if the two had grown up there, or at least lived there for a while and picked up a similar accent.
@seenochasm7101
How come more music doesn't sound like this? Well, it should.
@thecranewives
We'll just have to keep writing more to fill the void. :)
@ran6643
[Verse 1]
I’m just a ten cent copy
Of people far more advanced than me
Every thought that I’ve ever had
Could be ripped from a magazine
Cut me a path, and I will follow it
Draw me a line, and I’ll avoid it
I’m nothing if not obedient
You have my word
You have my word
[Chorus]
I am an empty page
A muddled shade of paint
I am a light that’s burning out
I am a light that’s burning out
I have hands that shake
When there are cuts to make
You’ll do it better, show me how
You’ll do it better, show me how
[Verse 2]
Tie me up by my callow belief
Someday I’ll make something out of me
Years of imitating mastery
Only made me a better thief
[Chorus]
I am an empty page
A muddled shade of paint
I am a light that’s burning out
I am a light that’s burning out
I have hands that shake
When there are cuts to make
You’ll do it better, show me how
You’ll do it better, show me how
I am an empty page
A muddled shade of paint
I am a light that’s burning out
I am a light that’s burning out
I have hands that shake
When there are cuts to make
You’ll do it better, show me how
You’ll do it better, show me how
@meyera14
Between this and High Horse I have been seriously impressed! And I just now find out you're from Michigan!? Too sweet!
@thecranewives
Thank you so much, glad you're digging the new tunes! We've got a LOT of shows booked in MI this summer, keep an eye out!