I Will Not Take These Things For Granted
Toad The Wet Sprocket Lyrics


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One part of me just wants to tell you everything
One part just needs the quiet
And if I'm lonely here, I'm lonely here
And on the telephone
You offer reassurance

I will not take these things for granted
How can I hold the part of me that only you can carry
It needs a strength I haven't found
But if it's frightening, I'll bear the cold
And on the telephone
You offer warm asylum

I'm listening
Flowers in the garden
Laughter in the hall
Children in the park
I will not take these things for granted
Anymore

To crawl inside the wire and feel something near me
To feel this accepting
That it is lonely here, but not alone
And on the telephone
You offer visions dancing

I'm listening
Music in the bedroom
Laughter in the hall
Dive into the ocean

Singing by the fire
Running through the forest
And standing in the wind
In rolling canyons





I will not take these things for granted

Overall Meaning

Toad The Wet Sprocket's "I Will Not Take These Things For Granted" is a song with a message about gratitude and cherishing the simple but precious moments in life. The lyrics portray a sense of loneliness but also hope as the singer finds solace in the assurance and visions offered through a phone conversation with a loved one.


The first verse portrays the singer's internal struggle to reveal everything to their loved one while simultaneously seeking quietness. The second verse expresses the need for the strength that only their loved one can provide. The chorus declares the intention of not taking things for granted, while the third verse dances with imagery of joyful moments in life and a final affirmation of the song's message.


The song's emotional depth and introspection resonated with many listeners, leading to its success on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and on college radio stations. Toad The Wet Sprocket crafted an acoustic, folk-influenced sound that fit perfectly with the song's reflective and contemplative lyrics.


Line by Line Meaning

One part of me just wants to tell you everything
There is a part of me that wants to share all of my thoughts and feelings with you


One part just needs the quiet
Another part of me needs silence and solitude


And if I'm lonely here, I'm lonely here
If I feel lonely, I am truly alone


And on the telephone You offer reassurance
When we talk on the phone, you provide comfort and support


I will not take these things for granted
I will not overlook or undervalue the important things in my life


How can I hold the part of me that only you can carry
I struggle to manage the part of myself that only you can understand and support


It needs a strength I haven't found
That part of me requires a kind of resilience that I haven't yet developed


But if it's frightening, I'll bear the cold
Even if facing that part of me is terrifying, I will endure it


And on the telephone You offer warm asylum
When we talk on the phone, you provide a comforting refuge


I'm listening
I am paying attention and taking in my surroundings


Flowers in the garden Laughter in the hall Children in the park
I am appreciative of the simple pleasures in life, like nature, joy, and youth


I will not take these things for granted Anymore
I will no longer ignore or underestimate the value of these experiences and emotions


To crawl inside the wire and feel something near me
I long to connect with someone or something and feel close


To feel this accepting That it is lonely here, but not alone
It is liberating to accept that it can be emotionally isolating here, but I am still connected to something greater


And on the telephone You offer visions dancing
When we talk on the phone, you inspire me and help me imagine new possibilities


Music in the bedroom Laughter in the hall Dive into the ocean Singing by the fire Running through the forest And standing in the wind In rolling canyons
My joy and appreciation extends to many different aspects of life, from peaceful moments by the fire to exhilarating experiences in nature


I will not take these things for granted
I will continue to cherish and prioritize the important things in life




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: DINNING, GUSS, NICHOLS, PHILLIPS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

Deborah Marchant

"I Will Not Take These Things For Granted" Lyrics

"One part of me just wants to tell you everything
One part just needs the quiet
And if I'm lonely here, I'm lonely here
And on the telephone
You offer reassurance

"I will not take these things for granted
"How can I hold the part of me that only you can carry
It needs a strength I haven't found
But if it's frightening, I'll bear the cold
And on the telephone
You offer warm asylum

"I'm listening
Flowers in the garden
Laughter in the hall
Children in the park
I will not take these things for granted
Anymore

"To crawl inside the wire and feel something near me
To feel this accepting
That it is lonely here, but not alone
And on the telephone
You offer visions dancing

"I'm listening
Music in the bedroom
Laughter in the hall
Dive into the ocean

"Singing by the fire [not. wood smoke free air. please.]
Running through the forest
And standing in the wind
In rolling canyons

"I will not take these things for granted

Songwriters: DINNING/GUSS/PHILLIPS/NICHOLS



Josh Andersen

​@G E Glutton for punishment? Heh. Had to be there, I guess. I was also into NiN. Head Like a Hole.

This was a comfort.

But, whatev's. Violator. Things are different for different people. The first girl I ever loved, Melinda, was killed in a hit and run. To my child mind, I thought the EMT's/Paramedics weren't fast enough. Not good enough. That was totally wrong, she was DOA, but I was a kid. I thought, Ah! But a battlefield medic! If I could save a life, just one, to make up for the one I couldn't. Life isn't like that. sigh Became a field medic, decorated for service, Meritorious Service During Time of War and all. Not that that meant much to me. The angel had already fallen.

Anyway, it was just my music tastes at the time.

Hope you're well and good.



All comments from YouTube:

Rae McStay

Our wedding song 19 years ago today. It still brings tears to my eyes. I love every word. And I LOVE this band. They are so underrated.

C G

Love this as your wedding song! Such a great idea!

Rae McStay

@Lindsey Summers thank you and I hope you’re getting your big celebration. Much love and appreciation! ❤️

G E

I don't remember marrying you Rae.

Lindsey Summers

@Rae McStay You're now up to 24 years and counting...way to go!! Good choice for your wedding dance. Can't go wrong with TTWS.

My spouse and I are up to 18 years. She's battling breast cancer, so once she beats it, we're going to have a big blowout for our 20th!! We have some very big shoes to fill, as my parents just passed 51 years, her parents are going to his 46 this fall, and my grandparents hit 65 years before they passed away. Big shoes to fill!! The best status symbol is a long and happy marriage. Many happy returns!!

Kia Sophia

An Awesome wedding song! Good Choice!

5 More Replies...

Chris James

The best under rated unexplored unpopularized band of the 90s in a generation that needed it the most.  The loss is unimaginable.

Mario Gutierrez

They still tour -- mostly small venues. I have tix to see them two weeks from now.

A HEALTHY POUR

He plays here is Santa Barbara. He lives here.

Geoff Brandenburg

Yes.

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