Hey There Delilah
The Watergate Lyrics


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Hey there Delilah
What's it like in new York city
I'm a thousand miles away
but girl tonight you look so pretty
Yes you do
Time square can't shine as bright as you
I swear it's true
Hey there Delilah
Don't you worry about the distance
I'm right there if you get lonely
Give this song another listen
Close your eyes
Listen to my voice it's my disguise
I'm by your side

Oh it's what you do to me
Oh it's what you do to me
Oh it's what you do to me
Oh it's what you do to me
What you do to me

Hey there Delilah
I know times are getting hard
But just believe me girl
Someday I'll pay the bills with this guitar
We'll have it good
We'll have the life we knew we would
My word is good

Hey there Delilah
I've got so much left to say
If every simple song I wrote to you
Would take your breath away
I'd write it all
Even more in love with me you'd fall
We'd have it all

Oh it's what you do to me
Oh it's what you do to me
Oh it's what you do to me
Oh it's what you do to me

A thousand miles seems pretty far
But they've got planes and trains and cars
I'd walk to you if I had no other way
Our friends would all make fun of us
and we'll just laugh along because we know
That none of them have felt this way
Delilah I can promise you
That by the time we get through
The world will never ever be the same
And you're to blame

Hey there Delilah
You be good and don't you miss me
Two more years and you'll be done with school
And I'll be making history like I do
You know it's all because of you
We can do whatever we want to
Hey there Delilah here's to you
This ones for you

Oh it's what you do to me
Oh it's what you do to me
Oh it's what you do to me




Oh it's what you do to me
What you do to me

Overall Meaning

The song Hey There Delilah is a romantic ballad written by Tom Higgenson of The Plain White T’s. It talks about a long-distance relationship between the singer and a girl named Delilah, who lives in New York City. The singer is a thousand miles away but he looks forward to reuniting with her someday. He romanticizes Delilah and acknowledges the hardship of being apart, but assures her of his commitment to her. Higgenson sings about his desire to make it big with his guitar so that he can take care of Delilah and have the life they both dreamt of.


The song was a massive hit, and in 2007, it topped the charts in multiple countries, including the US Billboard Hot 100. The lyrics resonated with people who were in a long-distance relationship or wished to conquer their dreams with their significant other. The song is also widely recognized for its simple yet catchy melody, which is easy to sing along to.


Line by Line Meaning

Hey there Delilah
Beginning of the song addressed to Delilah


What's it like in new York city
Curiosity about the city


I'm a thousand miles away
Proximity to Delilah


but girl tonight you look so pretty
Compliment to Delilah


Yes you do
Affirmation of the previous compliment


Time square can't shine as bright as you
Explanation that Delilah is brighter than Time Square


I swear it's true
Confident assertion of the previous line


Don't you worry about the distance
Encouragement to Delilah


I'm right there if you get lonely
Support to Delilah


Give this song another listen
Suggestion to Delilah


Close your eyes
Instruction to Delilah


Listen to my voice it's my disguise
Explanation of the disguise meaning


I'm by your side
Reinforcement to Delilah


Oh it's what you do to me
Refrain statement


What you do to me
Refrain statement


I know times are getting hard
Acknowledgement of the current situation


But just believe me girl
Assurance to Delilah


Someday I'll pay the bills with this guitar
Promise with a guitar


We'll have it good
Positive perspective


We'll have the life we knew we would
Reinforcement of the positive perspective


My word is good
Declaration of trustworthiness


I've got so much left to say
Revelation to Delilah


If every simple song I wrote to you
Hypothetical scenario


Would take your breath away
Descriptive effect


I'd write it all
Dedication to Delilah


Even more in love with me you'd fall
Expectation beyond dedication


We'd have it all
Future plans with Delilah


A thousand miles seems pretty far
Reiteration of the distance


But they've got planes and trains and cars
Explanation of the transportation options


I'd walk to you if I had no other way
Sincerity of devotion


Our friends would all make fun of us
Social repercussions


and we'll just laugh along because we know
Response to social repercussions


That none of them have felt this way
Recognition of their lack of experience


Delilah I can promise you
Reiteration of the promise


That by the time we get through
Hope for the future


The world will never ever be the same
Expectation of the impact of their relationship on the world


And you're to blame
Responsibility given to Delilah


You be good and don't you miss me
Encouragement to Delilah


Two more years and you'll be done with school
Expectation beyond graduation


And I'll be making history like I do
Expectation of the achievement in career


You know it's all because of you
Acknowledgement of the role of Delilah on the achievement


We can do whatever we want to
Confident expression of future opportunities


This ones for you
Dedication to Delilah




Writer(s): Tom Higgenson

Contributed by Nathan Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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