Background
Third Eye Blind Lyrics
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And I live in the numbness now.
In the background.
I do the things we did before,
I walk Haight Street to the store,
And they say where's that crazy girl?
You don't get drunk on red wine, and fight no more,
Since the hospital,
But the plans I make still have you in them,
Then you come swimming into view,
And I'm hanging on your words like I always used to do,
The words they use so lightly, I only feel for you,
I only know this because I carry you around,
In the background.
Words they come and memories all repeat,
I lift your head while,
They change the hospital sheets,
I would never lie to you, No
I would never lie to you, No
I felt you long after we were through.
And the plans I make still have you in them,
Cause you come swimming into view,
And I'm hanging on your words like I always used to do,
The words they use so lightly, I only feel for you,
I only know this because I carry you around,
In the background.
The song "Background" by Third Eye Blind is a tender and melancholic tribute to a past relationship, the trauma of a loved one's hospitalization, and the persistence of memory. The lyrics convey the singer's sense of numbness and detachment in the absence of his former partner, and his haunting recollection of their shared experiences. The first verse establishes the sense of absence and nostalgia, with the singer admitting that he lives in a state of numbness without his lover's presence. He describes walking through the Haight Street neighborhood, a location with significance for the band, and hearing people ask about his missing partner. The chorus emphasizes the enduring influence of memory and emotion, as the singer confesses that he still thinks and dreams about the person he lost.
The second verse introduces the detail of the hospitalization and the singer's role as caregiver. He recalls lifting his partner's head while the sheets were changed, suggesting that this was an intimate and painful experience. The line "I would never lie to you" can be read as a reassurance given to the patient or as an admission that he is sincere in his feelings. The chorus repeats the themes of memory and longing, emphasizing how strong the impact of the past can be even when the beloved is absent.
Overall, "Background" is a deeply emotional and poignant song that captures the lingering effects of lost love, illness, and memory. The lyrics are powerful in their simplicity and honesty, and the song's slow and melancholic melody creates a deeply affecting atmosphere.
Line by Line Meaning
Everything is quiet, Since you're not around,
After your departure, everything around me has become quiet and still.
And I live in the numbness now.
I feel emotionally numb and detached from my surroundings.
In the background.
Despite the numbness, you remain ever-present in the background of my thoughts and actions.
I do the things we did before,
I find myself repeating the same activities we once enjoyed together.
I walk Haight Street to the store,
I walk down Haight Street, the same old route we always took to go to the store.
And they say where's that crazy girl?
People around me question the absence of my once-lively and vibrant partner.
You don't get drunk on red wine, and fight no more,
You've changed your habits and no longer indulge in the reckless behaviors we used to partake in.
'Cause I don't see you anymore,
I no longer have the opportunity to witness any changes in your lifestyle, as we have gone our separate ways.
Since the hospital,
The last time I saw you was in the hospital.
But the plans I make still have you in them,
Despite our separation, you still influence my decisions and future plans.
Then you come swimming into view,
You unexpectedly resurface in my mind's eye.
And I'm hanging on your words like I always used to do,
I still value and cherish your words, just as I always had in the past.
The words they use so lightly, I only feel for you,
The words that others use casually hold a specific and profound meaning for me when it comes to you.
I only know this because I carry you around,
You continue to remain with me, wherever I go and whatever I do.
Words they come and memories all repeat,
I find myself rehashing old memories and phrases over and over in my mind.
I lift your head while,
I remember the tender moments of care and support I provided you in the hospital.
They change the hospital sheets,
I recall the medical procedures and nursing care administered during your stay in the hospital.
I would never lie to you, No
I would never deceive or mislead you in any way.
I felt you long after we were through.
I still feel a strong connection to you, despite the end of our relationship.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, THE BICYCLE MUSIC COMPANY, BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: ARION SALAZAR, KEVIN CADOGAN, STEPHAN JENKINS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@andrewwilson8082
the most underrated song from the most underrated band of all time
@tarynstorm8677
Andrew Dodo nailed it
@kenhowell3768
agreed wholeheartedly
@Thisizmyname
Yup
@Iridescent_Peasant
agreed.
@kovy274hart
Yes. The dopest and most overlooked great album of the 90's.
@c.j.7226
I was 13 years old, alone, on a Greyhound bus from OK to AZ and listened to this album on my discman on repeat the whole 1000 miles. It was an experience I'll never forget and listening to these songs 20 years later bring back awesome memories. I get flashbacks of looking out the bus windows and seeing the blurry lights of the night zooming by. I remember being and FEELING so free from the chaotic life I was leaving behind me and this music soothed my soul during that 24 hour ride. I remember thinking about how I could get off at any bus stop I chose to, and disappear from my everything and no one could do a damn thing about it or ever find me again. I was free.
@TheCurtisdavies
thank you for this 🙌🏼
@ruanddu
Wow - what a cool story. Would you mind sharing how you are doing today? Hope all worked out well.
@Quarantineism
How is your life now?