In an interview with Stephan Jenkins published in Billboard, he explained: The song’s inspiration came about when Third Eye guitarist Kevin Cadogan was tinkering around with an autoharp, 'which is a vintage-sounding instrument that you can’t really play without it having a sort of nostalgic sound to it. That inspired this emotional condition in me,' Jenkins says. That condition surrounds the idea of lost love, of realizing that there may come a despairing day when the two meet and no longer know each other. 'I think we all feel violated when we find that a relationship actually has time limits, that it’s not unconditional. That’s the thing that aches in people,' he explains. 'That’s something everybody can relate to, even when you know you have no business being with this person anymore.'
How's It Going To Be
Third Eye Blind Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Before you take a swing
I wonder what are we fighting for?
When I say out loud
I want to get out of this
I wonder is there anything?
I'm going to miss
I wonder how it's gonna be?
How's it gonna be?
When you're sure I'm not there
How's it gonna be?
When there's no one there to talk to
Between you and me
'Cause I don't care
How's it gonna be?
How's it gonna be?
Where we used to laugh
There's a shouting match
Sharp as a thumbnail scratch
A silence I can't ignore
Like the hammock by the
Doorway we spent time in, swings empty
I don't see lightning like last fall
When it was always about to hit me
I wonder how's it gonna be?
When it goes down
How's it gonna be?
When you're not around
How's it gonna be?
When you found out there was nothing
Between you and me
'Cause I don't care
How's it gonna be?
And how's it gonna be?
When you don't know me anymore
And how's it gonna be?
Want to get myself back in again
The soft dive of oblivion
I want to taste the salt of your skin
The soft dive of oblivion, oblivion
How's it gonna be?
When you don't know me anymore
How's it gonna be?
How's it gonna be
How's it gonna be
The lyrics of Third Eye Blind's "How's It Going To Be" depict a relationship that is crumbling, and the fear and uncertainty that comes with it. The song opens with the singer feeling unsure and overwhelmed, admitting that they can't handle any more fighting. They question the purpose of their arguments and express uncertainty over what they'll miss when they leave the relationship. The chorus asks how it will be when they're no longer together, and the singer expresses a lack of concern for the other person's feelings.
The second verse highlights the current state of the relationship, with the once-happy memories turned into tense exchanges. The metaphor of the swinging hammock, now empty, symbolizes the loneliness and emptiness the singer feels. They wonder how it will be when the inevitable end finally comes, and again express indifference towards the other person's feelings.
The closing lines reveal a desire to start over, to dive into something new and find happiness in the oblivion of a fresh start. The singer seems to accept the reality of the situation and is looking forward to healing and moving on.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm only pretty sure that I can't take anymore
I'm not entirely certain, but I feel like I'm at my breaking point
Before you take a swing
Before you attack me verbally or physically
I wonder what are we fighting for?
I question the reason for our conflict
When I say out loud I want to get out of this
When I express my desire to leave this situation
I wonder is there anything I'm going to miss
I ponder if there's anything of value left here
I wonder how it's gonna be? When you don't know me
I contemplate what it will be like when you and I are strangers
How's it gonna be? When you're sure I'm not there
What will it be like when you're certain I'm not present
How's it gonna be? When there's no one there to talk to between you and me
When we're left with no one to mediate our conversations
'Cause I don't care
Because I've stopped caring about this relationship
Where we used to laugh there's a shouting match
Where we once found joy, we now engage in heated arguments
Sharp as a thumbnail scratch a silence I can't ignore
The tension between us is palpable and impossible to ignore
Like the hammock by the doorway we spent time in, swings empty
Reminding me of the empty space where love used to reside
I don't see lightning like last fall when it was always about to hit me
The sense of foreboding and imminent danger has faded
I wonder how's it gonna be? When it goes down
I question how things will turn out when this all ends
When you're not around
When you're no longer present in my life
When you found out there was nothing between you and me
When you realize that nothing remains between us
And how's it gonna be? When you don't know me anymore
And how will it feel when you no longer recognize who I am
Want to get myself back in again
I desire to be a part of something once more
The soft dive of oblivion
The comforting sensation of letting go
I want to taste the salt of your skin
I yearn to feel close to you again
How's it gonna be?
What will happen in the end?
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: Kevin Cadogan, Stephan Jenkins, Arion Salazar
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@brandy012173
Why is this song good or different from 1000 other break up songs? I’ll tell you why. It’s in the very specific moment that you realize that you’ve made THE decision. When someone has been the voice in your head, and when anything happens and you just have to tell somebody that knows you and gets you, you will still have the knee-jerk reaction for a second to call them to say ‘guess what just happened to me today!’ will never be an option again. That tiny moment right after the last straw.
Nothing is only one thing. But in weighing it all out, you realize your favorite most important plans with the person who has basically been a portion of who you even are, are dead. Is it a decision you can live with?? To END it??
No take backs??
Yup or nope?
This song is the moment right after the last straw, and starting to grieve the loss of your best friend, while wondering how your going to tell them that you’re moving out before the end of the week, knowing that they know you are packing up your Sht and there is a cab already on the way.
Can you go through with it? And decide, yup.
And this song also explains why break-up se% is so good because you know it’s the last time but they don’t yet.
This is the private moment in your head when you officially have decided to say goodbye.
Dam I hate that part. (Here’s your ring back.)
@CharlieHernandez-zy4ci
Here’s to all of us who are homesick for a place that doesn’t exist anymore.
@LoudLustyNLucky2
Wow
@redskies4530
Well it's true, once time has passed it can't be retrieved except in our minds and sometimes that's no consolation...
@marshaanthony3656
That's gotta be the saddest thing Ive ever read!
@ryxbyx720
i feel it for a long time my birth place is not the same anymore which i miss during my childhood
@noelennon420
LOVE THIS!
@lizziebutdiff698
I'm leaving a comment here so that whoever likes it, I'll be reminded of this masterpiece.
@bertonorr8393
Just started playing it on the piano today
@christinejones4912
Lizzie...❤❤❤❤
@emmettwilliams3815
Good onya Lizzie, great band great days, all the best mate!