Born in Manchester, England, and raised in Haselmere, van den Broek's musical endeavors began when he got a guitar for Christmas at the age of 11. With influences that include Ray Charles, Mac DeMarco, and Thundercat, he started releasing stand-alone singles as a teen in late 2015. His debut EP, Harmless Melodies, arrived in November 2016. Yellow Days continued to release periodic singles in 2017, some of which appeared on his debut LP, Is Everything Okay in Your World?, that October. It featured a guest spot by hip-hop artist Rejjie Snow. Early the next year, "Gap in the Clouds," from his first EP, reached a broader audience when it accompanied the trailer for the second season of Donald Glover's show Atlanta. Yellow Days followed up in April 2018 with the single "The Way Things Change" and a week's worth of club shows in the U.S. that quickly sold out, before continuing the tour in Europe. The musician's sophomore effort arrived in 2020: titled A Day in a Yellow Beat, the project was written and recorded primarily in L.A., with van den Broek sourcing new inspiration from local collaborators.
I've Been Thinking Too Hard
Yellow Days Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Trying to find that peace that the world is seeking
But it will still be elusive
Because everything that is physical is transitory
And the only thing that is not transitory in man is his own soul)
I try to see between the lines
Try not to keep the spirit confined
It turns out the sun′s gone
And I don't know what is going on here
I, I been trapped in my... my own mind
No escape I can find
You know I can′t let go
I, I've been thinking too hard
I was lost from the start
That's a great to-be mood
I, I′ve been thinking too hard
It′s a dangerous part
That I've been to, yeah
I, I don′t know what's right anymore
The sea flighted and the rain poured (yeah)
I′m conditioned to survive
Just I need to be alive
I've got intuition on my side
Just to ease that paranoid mind
I′ve cried tears ocean-wide
Just to ease that pain inside, ooh yeah
I, I've been thinking too hard
I was lost from the start
That's a great to-be mood
I, I′ve been thinking too hard
It′s a dangerous part
That I've been to, yeah
(Now, you see if you want to live
In a way that always is saying, "I think that life is disgusting"
Supposing you want to deny being
Or that uh, people who um, like music
Are a bunch of idiots, who sit around and go out of there minds
Listening to a lot of complicated noises
See there′s always a way to go about talking about something
To make it sound terrible
Equally there is a way of talking about something
To make it sound great
Now what do you want to do?
Do you want to live your life in such a way
That you're always saying to it, "hmm, hmm..., yeah"
You want to... is that a good way to conduct things?
Or do you want to live your life in a way that you
You, you say, "C′mon, let's go!"
You see? Let′s, let's, let's..., let′s swing this thing)
The lyrics of "I've Been Thinking Too Hard" by Yellow Days explore the struggles of overthinking and being trapped within one's own mind. The song opens with a reflection on the physical world and its transitory nature. The singer suggests that despite engaging in various physical activities in search of peace and fulfillment, true satisfaction cannot be found in the material realm. The only thing that is permanent and enduring in humans is the soul.
The song then delves into the personal experiences of the singer, who is caught up in their own thoughts and unable to find an escape. They acknowledge their tendency to think excessively and feel lost from the beginning. It portrays a state of confusion and a need to free themselves from the mental turmoil they are experiencing.
Amidst this struggle, the singer questions what is right and wrong, symbolizing a feeling of uncertainty and questioning their own beliefs. They mention the chaotic nature of the external world, with the sea fighting and rain pouring, creating an environment where survival becomes a conditioned response. However, the singer recognizes the importance of being alive and trusting their intuition to navigate through the paranoia and pain that resides within them.
The chorus repeats the idea of thinking too hard and feeling lost, emphasizing the dangerous territory this state of mind can lead to. It reaffirms the challenging and overwhelming nature of overthinking, while also acknowledging the need to break free from it.
The bridge of the song introduces a spoken-word monologue that encourages listeners to consider their approach to life. It highlights the contrast between perceiving life as disgusting and denying one's existence versus embracing the joy and enthusiasm that comes from appreciating music or other aspects of life. The singer invites listeners to choose a perspective that energizes and propels them forward, rather than becoming locked in a perpetual state of contemplation.
Overall, "I've Been Thinking Too Hard" explores the themes of overthinking, self-reflection, and the search for a sense of purpose and clarity within one's own mind. It encourages listeners to find balance and release from the burdensome thoughts that can hinder personal growth and fulfillment.
Line by Line Meaning
I try to see between the lines
I make an effort to understand the deeper meaning or hidden message
Try not to keep the spirit confined
I avoid limiting or suppressing my inner self or emotions
Let it feel, sunshine
Allowing myself to experience joy and positivity
It turns out the sun's gone
Unfortunately, the happiness or brightness has disappeared
And I don't know what is going on here
I feel confused or uncertain about the current situation
I, I been trapped in my... my own mind
I have been feeling mentally confined or stuck
No escape I can find
I cannot find a way to break free or find relief
You know I can't let go
I am unable to release or move on from something
I, I've been thinking too hard
I have been overanalyzing or overthinking
I was lost from the start
I have been directionless or uncertain from the beginning
That's a great to-be mood
It is a very intense or overwhelming emotional state
I, I've been thinking too hard
I have been overanalyzing or overthinking
It's a dangerous part
This state of mind is risky or detrimental
That I've been to, yeah
I have experienced or gone through this before
I, I don't know what's right anymore
I feel unsure or confused about what is morally correct
The sea flighted and the rain poured (yeah)
There was chaos or turmoil as the sea became turbulent and heavy rain fell
I'm conditioned to survive
I have adapted or become accustomed to withstand difficulties
Just I need to be alive
All I truly desire is to experience life and exist
I've got intuition on my side
I rely on my instinct or inner guidance
Just to ease that paranoid mind
To calm or relieve my anxious or overly cautious thoughts
I've cried tears ocean-wide
I have shed a vast amount of tears in sorrow or distress
Just to ease that pain inside, ooh yeah
To alleviate or lessen the emotional pain or suffering within me
Now, you see if you want to live
Now, listen if you desire to truly experience life
In a way that always is saying, 'I think that life is disgusting'
In a manner where you constantly express a negative outlook on life
Supposing you want to deny being
Assuming you wish to reject or deny your existence
Or that people who like music
Or if you believe that individuals who enjoy music
Are a bunch of idiots, who sit around and go out of their minds
Are unintelligent people who sit idly and lose their sanity
Listening to a lot of complicated noises
They merely listen to complex or intricate sounds
See there's always a way to go about talking about something
You must understand that there are various perspectives or approaches to discussing a topic
To make it sound terrible
To present it in a negative or unfavorable manner
Equally there is a way of talking about something
Similarly, there is a method of discussing something
To make it sound great
To portray it in a positive or exceptional way
Now what do you want to do?
So, what decision or course of action do you wish to pursue?
Do you want to live your life in such a way
Are you interested in living your life
That you're always saying to it, 'hmm, hmm..., yeah'
Where you constantly express hesitation or uncertainty
You want to... is that a good way to conduct things?
Is that a favorable or appropriate approach?
Or do you want to live your life in a way that you
Or would you rather live your life in a manner where you
You, you say, 'C'mon, let's go!'
You confidently proclaim, 'Come on, let's proceed!'
You see? Let's, let's, let's..., let's swing this thing
You understand? Let us, let us, let us..., let us embrace this situation with liveliness
Writer(s): George Van Den Broek
Contributed by Elena I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.