Selected Poems
The Gaslight Anthem Lyrics


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Honey bee, she say I got too much sympathy.
But I can call her anytime.
And if you're lost and you need a little peace from me,
Bring all your trouble by
Honey bee, how have I hurt you?
C'mon tell your blues to me.
Maybe I should live up there in the curtains,
On the wings of Mercury.

I was fortunately desperate and turbulently innocent.
I was living underneath my body weight.
My eyes were swollen green and hazy, sick from grief and hate and envy,
I was crawling up inside my head.

And all I seemed to find is that everything has chains.
And all this life just feels like a series of dreams.
Selected poems and lovers I can't begin to name.
And all in all I find that nothing stays the same.

And I was crazy like the moon for you and head over my heels for you.
And never would I change or compromise.
But something in my mind does things I can't contain for anything.
Last night I don't think sleep even touched my eyes.

And all I seemed to find is that everything has chains.
And all this life just feels like a series of dreams.
Selected poems and lovers I can't begin to name.
And all in all I find that nothing stays the same.

And all I seem to find is how everything has chains.
And all my life just feels like an idiot dream.




Selected poems and lovers I never seen again.
And all in all I find that nothing stays the same.

Overall Meaning

The Gaslight Anthem’s song “Selected Poems” tells a story about a man who is struggling with his own emotions and the changes that are happening around him. The song is a reflection of the man’s own thoughts and feelings about his life and relationships. The opening verse talks about a woman named “Honey Bee” who thinks that the man has too much sympathy. Despite this, the man still cares for her and is always there for her. He even invites her to bring all her troubles to him. The man seems to be feeling guilty about something he may have done to hurt her.


The subsequent verse describes the man’s own state of mind. He describes himself as being “fortunately desperate and turbulently innocent.” His eyes are swollen, and he is sick from grief and hate and envy. The lines “I was crawling up inside my head” suggest that he is trapped in his own thoughts and unable to escape. The chorus talks about how everything has chains and life feels like a series of dreams. The man reflects on his lovers and poems but can’t seem to remember the names of any of them. He acknowledges that life is changing and nothing stays the same.


The song seems to be about a man who is struggling to come to terms with his own emotions and the changes that are happening around him. The repetition of the chorus emphasizes the idea that nothing stays the same in life. The song continues to bring up the idea of chains and dream-like qualities in life, which suggests that the man feels trapped and unable to control his own life. The song is a reflection of the many barriers that life presents and how difficult it can be to overcome them.



Line by Line Meaning

Honey bee, she say I got too much sympathy.
My partner thinks I'm too empathetic with others.


But I can call her anytime.
Despite this, I can still rely on her.


And if you're lost and you need a little peace from me,
I am willing to help when someone is struggling.


Bring all your trouble by
I will listen to and support them.


Honey bee, how have I hurt you?
I am concerned and want to know if I have caused any pain.


C'mon tell your blues to me.
I encourage open communication and want to be there for them.


Maybe I should live up there in the curtains,
I feel like escaping from reality.


On the wings of Mercury.
I wish I could just fly away.


I was fortunately desperate and turbulently innocent.
I was naive in a way that caused me to make poor decisions.


I was living underneath my body weight.
I felt weighed down and burdened by life.


My eyes were swollen green and hazy, sick from grief and hate and envy,
I was overwhelmed with negative emotions.


I was crawling up inside my head.
I felt trapped in my own thoughts and emotions.


And all I seemed to find is that everything has chains.
I perceive most things in life as limiting and restrictive.


And all this life just feels like a series of dreams.
I feel like life is not fully real or meaningful.


Selected poems and lovers I can't begin to name.
I've had many fleeting experiences and connections that I don't fully remember or understand.


And all in all I find that nothing stays the same.
I recognize that change is constant and unavoidable.


And I was crazy like the moon for you and head over my heels for you.
I was deeply infatuated and in love with someone.


And never would I change or compromise.
I was stubborn in my feelings and unwilling to budge.


But something in my mind does things I can't contain for anything.
Despite this, I struggle with internal conflicts and impulses outside of my control.


Last night I don't think sleep even touched my eyes.
I am restless and struggling to find peace.


And all I seem to find is how everything has chains.
I continue to feel limited by circumstances beyond my control.


And all my life just feels like an idiot dream.
I feel like my existence lacks purpose or meaning.


Selected poems and lovers I never seen again.
I've had brief, intense connections that I never fully understood or pursued.


And all in all I find that nothing stays the same.
I recognize that change is the only constant in life.




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BRIAN FALLON

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

Clay Douglas

It’s one of those perfect albums that even after not listening to it for awhile you still feel every note in your bones.

SharpWalkers

"All I seem to find is that everything has chains, and all this life just feels like a series of dreams"

Great line!

soundescapeMN

Favorite song on the album so far. Absolutely perfect.

Mamoona Malik

wwww







iiiì9, and I have to be a great deal of
time to do with a few days a go. the first time in my
life. check it out
. the only one of my own. the only thing that I have a great day

Mark

I dont know you but I know you have impeccable taste

crazyGabriel17

thank you Gaslight Anthem for such great music!! Y'all helped me through some tough times over the past couple years since I first heard "bring it on" :) much love, hopefully my girlfriend and I get to meet you guys at the Hollywood show in a couple weeks

Jayjaywas

I am home with all your music. Thank you

lisa cortese

Easily the best song on this record. PERFECT.

Dheeeeeenshoewakawakarungapwluminihsjkdjdjnnehh

super haunting song. Im going through a divorce myself and this song just captures the depths of the depression I feel everyday coming out of a 7 year relationship.

Aaron Hastings

Beyond amazing!

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