Everything Changes
Upstate Lyrics

The lyrics to Upstate's "Everything Changes" seem to describe the nature of human relationships and how easily they can shift and evolve over time. The opening lines reminisce on a time when two people were close friends, holding hands and sharing laughs. The image of stealing cigarettes from their mothers and going down a slide without fear implies a type of carefree innocence that is often associated with childhood.

However, the chorus reveals a darker truth about life - that everything changes faster than we ever anticipated. Time moves quickly, and relationships can be affected by distance, different lifestyles, and changed perspectives. The mention of moving "further west than Buffalo" paints a picture of an immense distance, almost as though the two friends have been separated indefinitely. The line "I barely know you anymore" evokes a sense of loss, as if something that was once vibrant and close has now become distant and cold.

The repetition of the phrase "everything changes faster than you thought it would" highlights the overarching theme of the song - that life moves on and we must adapt to the changes. The use of the word "everything" is significant here, suggesting that no aspect of life is immune to the passage of time. The final moments of the song, where the chorus is repeated over and over with a series of "Ahhs", almost sounds like a desperate plea to hold onto something that is slipping away.

Overall, "Everything Changes" is a poignant exploration of the transience of time and the uncertainty of human relationships.