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The Story of Your Life
To Have Heroes Lyrics
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To get inside of the mind of the reader or at least get to the next page
Every movie has a part where they get to the heart of the matter
Foreshadowing what might be happening whether or not there's a trapdoor
In the floor of the stage
So I'm trying to read ‘cause I'm dying to see
Where will I be if you close the book tonight?
Am I the hero or the villain?
Is it a history or fiction?
Will I still be here in the end?
In the story of your life
In the story of your life
In the novel I'm writing I decided I'm using the actual identities instead
Misleading the people I love, ‘cause they're the ones who need it the most
Every chapter is another beginning, a beginning to guess if my character's in
Over his head ‘cause of something he said or maybe something he wrote
So I'm trying to read ‘cause I'm dying to see
Who I will be in the story of your life
Where will I be if you close the book tonight?
Am I the hero or the villain?
Is it a history or fiction?
Will I still be here in the end?
In the story of your life
Tell me, Juliet
Can we make it through this act without a tragedy?
Oh, let's get through this scene ‘cause I'm dying to see…
If I will be in the story of your life
Where will I be if you close the book tonight?
Who will I be in the story of your life?
Where will I be if you hold the book tonight?
Who will I be… in the story of your life
In the story of your life
The lyrics of To Have Heroes’ song, The Story of Your Life, explore the idea of the role we play in the lives of others and how our own stories are interwoven with theirs. The singer reflects on the similarities between stories, novels, and films and how each has the power to transport us to another place or time. He meditates on the idea of being a character in someone else's story, and what that might mean for his own life.
The first stanza offers thoughts about the writer who inspires their reader with a tale of love or desire, hoping to engage the reader's mind enough to turn the page. The second tells us about the heart of the movies, where the audience waits to see what happens to the characters, even if they’re unsure about the ending. From these, the singer then turns his attention to being the character in somebody else’s story. He poses the questions whether he is the hero or villain of the story, is it based on real history, or is it just fiction, and would he still be there till the end of the tale.
The second stanza is introspective, talking about the novel the singer is writing, possibly detailing his life story. He mentions that he is using actual identities, probably of people he loves, in the story but is misleading them, as per his plans. The start of each chapter is a new beginning, and the start of his tale, he is not sure if he is in over his head, whether it’s something he said, or something he has written. The chorus repeats at the end, with slight variations, and the singer pleads with Juliet to make it through the scene without tragedy, once again questioning who he will be in the story of her life, and if he will be there until the end.
Line by Line Meaning
Every story has a writer whose life has been inspired by love or a desire
Each tale has an author who wrote it with a passion for a loved one or personal aspiration.
To get inside of the mind of the reader or at least get to the next page
Their intention is to capture the reader's attention and lure them to read further into the narrative.
Every movie has a part where they get to the heart of the matter
All films have a segment where they reveal the essence of the plot.
Foreshadowing what might be happening whether or not there's a trapdoor
Hinting at events that may unfold, regardless of sudden twists in the plot.
In the floor of the stage
Even if there are unexpected and deceptive plot devices used by the author.
So I'm trying to read ‘cause I'm dying to see
With eagerness, the singer desires to understand their role in the story they find themselves in.
Who I will be in the story of your life
The singer wonders what their part is within the story of another's journey through time.
Where will I be if you close the book tonight?
If the author decides to conclude their story, what will the artist's ending be?
Am I the hero or the villain?
The artist is pondering if they will be portrayed as the artist or antagonist.
Is it a history or fiction?
The artist inquires if the events taking place are actual events or entirely fabricated.
Will I still be here in the end?
The singer wonders how their part in the story will affect their destiny.
In the novel I'm writing I decided I'm using the actual identities instead
The artist is using real people in their writing, albeit not using their exact names.
Misleading the people I love, ‘cause they're the ones who need it the most
Their loved ones have sought escapism, and to cast those they know as characters in their storytelling would only confuse them.
Every chapter is another beginning, a beginning to guess if my character's in
Each chapter starts anew, with the reader unknowing if they will continue to play a role in the story.
Over his head ‘cause of something he said or maybe something he wrote
The character the singer is playing is struggling due to something they did, said, or wrote in the story.
Tell me, Juliet
The artist is addressing Juliet, likely a reference to Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet.
Can we make it through this act without a tragedy?
The artist wonders if they can avoid a tragic end to their story.
Oh, let's get through this scene ‘cause I'm dying to see…
The singer is eager to reach the end of the chapter to see what their role is in the tale.
If I will be in the story of your life
The singer inquires if they will appear in another's story.
Where will I be if you close the book tonight?
If the author ends the story abruptly, where will the artist's part in the narrative conclude?
Who will I be in the story of your life?
The artist is questioning what their part will be in another's journey through life.
Where will I be if you hold the book tonight?
If the story is on hiatus, the artist is curious what their involvement will be once the story continues.
Who will I be… in the story of your life
The singer is questioning their purpose and role in another person's story and how they will affect their journey.
In the story of your life
The artist references a larger story, which is the recounted experiences of an individual in their life.
Contributed by William D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Hunter93
I really love this cover song! Andy really is awesome I hope because of his association with Cook that he and the band get the recognition they deserve.
Sue Raymond
Um...this is not a cover. Andy wrote this, actually co-wrote, but it's his.