Back When You Were Good
The Hours Lyrics


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I told you
Everyone's the same
But it's no use
It's no use
Lay it all to blame
At my door
That wont work no more
I've heard it all before
And I, I see you now
You have changed somehow
And I, I wish I knew you back then
Back when you were good

I know you
Better than you know yourself
And it's no use
You can't buy a new life off a shelf
It wont set you free
You're not fooling me
It's so sad to see
How you've changed your tune
And let go
You're like a vampire
You're soaking with bodies' blood
Oh how I wish I knew you back

When you were good
Back when you were someone
Back when you were good
Back when you were someone
When you were good,
You used to be so loud
You burned so bright
Your stars shined out so bright

You had it all right in the palm of your hand
And let it fall like a million grains of sand
You wear away to a place where nobody knew
Just who you are
And there's no one to answer to
No one to question the person you have become
And what have you done
What have you done




And you have gone to hide somewhere
Yeah you have gone to hide somewhere

Overall Meaning

The Hours's song "Back When You Were Good" deals with the idea of transformation and how a person can change over time. The lyrics seem to be addressed to someone who has gone through a significant change, and the singer wishes he knew the person back when they "were good." The phrase "Back when you were good" is repeated throughout the song, emphasizing the desire to return to a time when things were simpler and more genuine.


The opening lines of the song serve as a warning that everyone changes and that it's pointless to blame someone for their mistake. However, as the song progresses, it becomes apparent that the singer is disappointed in the person's transformation, evident in the lines "I see you now, you have changed somehow." The song suggests that there is a sense of loss when someone transforms into someone they used to be not, and the person who was once there disappears completely, as seen in the line "You're like a vampire, you're soaking with bodies' blood."


The imagery of transformation and change is intertwined throughout the song, and the message seems to be that people are not always what they seem. The chorus "Back when you were someone" highlights the idea that the person is not the same person they once were, and there is a yearning to go back to a time when things were straightforward. Overall the song acknowledges that people change, but in the end, it is essential to remain true to oneself and not lose sight of who you once were.


Line by Line Meaning

I told you
I previously conveyed information to you


Everyone's the same
All people are alike


But it's no use
However, it's pointless


It's no use
It's pointless


Lay it all to blame
Assign all the responsibility


At my door
Directly aimed at me


That wont work no more
This strategy is no longer effective


I've heard it all before
I have listened to this countless times


And I, I see you now
And now, I perceive you


You have changed somehow
You have altered in some way


And I, I wish I knew you back then
And now, I long to have known you previously


Back when you were good
When you were virtuous


I know you
I understand you


Better than you know yourself
More profoundly than you know yourself


And it's no use
But it's pointless


You can't buy a new life off a shelf
You cannot purchase a brand new existence easily


It wont set you free
It will not liberate you


You're not fooling me
You are not deceiving me


It's so sad to see
It's disheartening to witness


How you've changed your tune
How you have completely transformed your stance


And let go
And abstained from hanging on


You're like a vampire
You're like a blood-sucking parasite


You're soaking with bodies' blood
You're flooded with people's blood


Oh how I wish I knew you back
Oh how I yearn to have been acquainted with you previously


When you were good
When you were wholesome


Back when you were someone
Previously when you were renowned


Back when you were good
Preceding when you were righteous


Back when you were someone
Previously when you were well-known


When you were good,
When you were pure


You used to be so loud
You were formerly so boisterous


You burned so bright
You were brilliantly illuminated


Your stars shined out so bright
Your celestial bodies were shining so bright


You had it all right in the palm of your hand
You possessed everything you required


And let it fall like a million grains of sand
And relinquished it like a million granules of sand


You wear away to a place where nobody knew
You went to a location where no one was familiar with


Just who you are
Exactly who you genuinely are


And there's no one to answer to
And nobody to be accountable to


No one to question the person you have become
No one to challenge the person you have evolved into


And what have you done
And what actions have you taken


What have you done
What actions have you taken


And you have gone to hide somewhere
And you departed to take cover somewhere


Yeah you have gone to hide somewhere
Yes, you have departed to take cover somewhere




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, BMG Rights Management
Written by: ANTHONY GENN, JOEY WARONKER, MARTIN SLATTERY

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

Jooles99

Brilliant song from a rather obscure band. The album is really good as well! Thanks for posting the video.

Andy R

Absolute classic!

Fr. Bazán

EVA: Permanece en mi memoria el significado de tus palabras, el legado de nuestra unión.

marseyboldon

I could sing this word for word to my ex, it's so fitting!

katoness

Song always reminds me of an old friend that I had a great friendship with but later on we had a massive falling out.It was never the same after that, the friendship could not be mended, no matter how hard I tried.

Ruth Bowman

very good song. very enjoyable. very pleased. 😁 🎶

bluewonder136

Great band

The Jørgensen Family

I love this song

Milena Cunha

such a splendid song

EyesLikeALeopard

amazing song

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