A ramshackle collective of four musicians who all hated playing in bands, t… Read Full Bio ↴A ramshackle collective of four musicians who all hated playing in bands, the Grays comprised ex-Jellyfish member Jason Falkner, Jon Brion, Buddy Judge, and Dan McCarroll. After coming together in 1993, the group released just one album, Ro Sham Bo, before amicably packing it in. Falkner later began a solo career, while Brion worked with Aimee Mann, Eels, and Jimmie Dale Gilmore.

Both Belong
The Grays Lyrics

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This man climbs another step and wonders if his life is worth the living he hasn't done much of
Denying any notion that emotion may be token for nostalgia A gesture all the same

He's got his private wars just like the million other wars
That keep you and I from getting where we both belong, both belong

'Cause I see you making eyes with yourself again
Shaking hands with invisible friends

Looking 'round for encouragement
No not me I'm just hangin', hangin' 'round for a new thrill
'Cause I'm tired of the old ones
And I can't be the only one
Whose in line for some sunshine, yeah

And baby you're a tough one but your love has long forgotten how to scratch its way from such a guarded heart
One day you'll realize that nothing sticks from nothing and go write a book that no one ever reads

You've got your private wars just like the million other wars
That keep you and I from getting where we both belong, both belong

'Cause I see you making eyes with yourself again
Shaking hands with invisible friends
Looking 'round for encouragement
No not me I'm just hangin', hangin' 'round for a new thrill
'Cause I'm tired of the old ones
And I can't be the only one
Who's in line for some sunshine, yeah

Don't try to understand
Or offer your gentle hand
To me...to me...

'Cause you are not alone in wonderin' how you got so far from home
When every memory you own is beggin' for your time
But you're running out of sand
As you clutch the feeble hands
And embrace the thing referred to as the past

And I see you making eyes with yourself again
Shaking hands with invisible friends
Looking 'round for encouragement
No not me I'm just hangin', hangin' 'round for a new thrill
'Cause I'm tired of the old ones

And I can't be the only one
Whose in line for some sunshine

Overall Meaning

The Grays's song "Both Belong" is a thoughtful commentary on the human condition and the struggles we all face in trying to find our place in the world. The lyrics speak to the universal experience of feeling lost and disconnected, despite our outward appearances of success and achievement.

The first verse, "This man climbs another step and wonders if his life is worth the living he hasn't done much of," speaks to the sense of dissatisfaction and unfulfilled potential that many people feel throughout their lives. The singer of the song is grappling with the meaning of his existence, questioning whether all his efforts and accomplishments have been worthwhile.

The second verse delves deeper into the idea of private wars, those internal battles that we all fight on a daily basis. The song acknowledges that these struggles are not unique to any one person, but are universal. The idea of these private wars keeping us from where we both belong is both poignant and powerful, underscoring the need to overcome our personal challenges in order to connect with others.

The chorus is a plea for connection and new experiences, a desire to break out of old patterns and seek something fresh and meaningful. The repeated refrain of "both belong" is a reminder that we all share a common humanity, despite our individual struggles and shortcomings.

The bridge of the song is a warning against clinging to the past, even as we try to move forward. The image of "clutching feeble hands" and "embracing the thing referred to as the past" conveys a sense of desperation and futility, a suggestion that in order to truly move on we must let go of what has been holding us back.

Overall, "Both Belong" is a deeply insightful and relatable exploration of the human experience, offering both comfort and inspiration for those struggling to find their place in the world.

Line by Line Meaning

This man climbs another step and wonders if his life is worth the living he hasn't done much of
The man is questioning the value of his life as he perceives that he has not lived it to the fullest

Denying any notion that emotion may be token for nostalgia A gesture all the same
He is refusing to accept that his feelings about the past are merely nostalgic and irrelevant

He's got his private wars just like the million other wars That keep you and I from getting where we both belong, both belong
Everyone has their own battles to fight, which hinder them from achieving their true purpose in life

'Cause I see you making eyes with yourself again Shaking hands with invisible friends Looking 'round for encouragement No not me I'm just hangin', hangin' 'round for a new thrill 'Cause I'm tired of the old ones And I can't be the only one Whose in line for some sunshine, yeah
The singer observes the tendency for people to turn inwards and seek validation from themselves or insignificant things, while he himself is searching for new experiences as he is tired of the same old ones

And baby you're a tough one but your love has long forgotten how to scratch its way from such a guarded heart One day you'll realize that nothing sticks from nothing and go write a book that no one ever reads
The person the singer is addressing has become emotionally closed off, making it difficult to truly love, and one day they may regret their lack of emotional investment in life

Don't try to understand Or offer your gentle hand To me...to me...
The singer does not want pity or understanding from others, they want to find their own way in life

'Cause you are not alone in wonderin' how you got so far from home When every memory you own is beggin' for your time But you're running out of sand As you clutch the feeble hands And embrace the thing referred to as the past
The person the singer is addressing is not alone in feeling disconnected from themselves and their past, but it is important to not cling to it too tightly as time is running out

And I see you making eyes with yourself again Shaking hands with invisible friends Looking 'round for encouragement No not me I'm just hangin', hangin' 'round for a new thrill 'Cause I'm tired of the old ones And I can't be the only one Whose in line for some sunshine
The singer reiterates their desire for new experiences and not relying on self-validation, encouraging others to do the same and seek out opportunities for growth and happiness

Contributed by Nathaniel K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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