Emily
The Gufs Lyrics
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I'm wondering who you are
I can't read the writing on the wall
Don't you know
We've been through this before
I can't see why'd you want any more
Long ago you fell into my arms
Far away is where I'd like to run
So I can see what you have become
I wonder why
Why sometimes
You make me try
And sometimes
You make me feel like leaving it all behind
Sometimes
Sometimes
Sometimes
In my dreams I'm staring down on me
Lonely now
The freedom what he sees
From above it's plain for me to see
Emily
Emily
Sometimes (make me leave it all behind)
Sometimes (make me leave it all behind)
Sometimes (make me leave it all behind)
Sometimes (make me leave it all behind)
Sometimes
Sometimes
Sometimes (if I could, yes I would)
Sometimes (if I could, yes I would)
(If I could, yes I would) Sometimes sometimes sometimes
(If I could, yes I would) I'm leaving it all behind, I'm leaving it all behind
(If I could, yes I would) Sometimes sometimes sometimes
(If I could, yes I would) I'm leaving it all behind
The Gufs's song Emily tells the story of a broken relationship. The lyrics express the confusion and frustration of the singer who can't seem to make sense of his relationship with Emily. The first verse expresses the singer's desire to understand Emily's intentions. He feels as though he can't quite get a grasp on her true intentions and what she wants from him. The second verse reveals that the singer and Emily have a past together. However, Emily seems to have changed and her words have become hurtful to the singer. The chorus expresses a desire to leave and move on from the toxic relationship.
The lyrics suggest that the singer is torn between two options - trying to make the relationship work or walking away from it altogether. The repeated use of the word "sometimes" suggests that the singer goes back and forth between these two options. In the third verse, the singer dreams about looking down on himself and sees his own loneliness. From this perspective, he can clearly see what he needs to do - leave Emily behind.
Overall, the song captures the emotional complexity of a relationship that isn't working, and the struggle to make sense of conflicting emotions.
Line by Line Meaning
Back to back
Standing next to each other, not facing one another.
I'm wondering who you are
Questioning the true identity and motives of the person next to me.
I can't read the writing on the wall
Unable to understand the clues and signals that suggest what may happen next.
Don't you know
Expressing surprise that the other person is not aware of the situation being discussed.
We've been through this before
Acknowledging that we have experienced this same situation previously.
I can't see why'd you want any more
Failing to understand why this situation needs to be repeated.
Long ago you fell into my arms
Recalling a moment in the past when we were close.
Now your words are tearing me apart
Feeling emotional pain caused by the other person's hurtful words.
Far away is where I'd like to run
Desiring to escape this situation altogether.
So I can see what you have become
Wanting to distance myself and observe how the other person has changed.
I wonder why
Curious about why things have turned out this way.
Why sometimes
Questioning why there are times when things seem to work and times when they do not.
You make me try
Motivating me to work harder to make things better.
And sometimes
Occasionally, in certain situations.
You make me feel like leaving it all behind
Making me consider abandoning the situation altogether due to emotional stress.
Sometimes
Occasionally, at certain times.
In my dreams I'm staring down on me
In his dreams, he sees himself from an outside perspective.
Lonely now
Feeling isolated and alone in this situation.
The freedom what he sees
Desiring freedom from the situation that is causing him pain and stress.
From above it's plain for me to see
With a different perspective, it is clear to him what he needs to do.
Emily
An unknown person who he is addressing in the song.
Sometimes (make me leave it all behind)
Expressing that there are times when he feels the need to abandon the situation entirely.
Sometimes (if I could, yes I would)
Feeling a desire to leave the situation, if it were possible.
I'm leaving it all behind, I'm leaving it all behind
Making the decision to walk away from the situation.
Sometimes sometimes sometimes
Repetitively expressing that these feelings come and go.
(If I could, yes I would) Sometimes sometimes sometimes
Reiterating the feeling of desire to leave if it were possible.
Contributed by Savannah D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Mike Hansen
favorite Gufs song ever.