Just ask Bradford Cox. He knows. Why, just a year ago, the Deerhunter frontman stumbled upon Caulfield’s organ-grinding rendition of “Rainwater Cassette Exchange” and said it’s “fantastically superior to the original. It actually sent shivers up my spine, especially during the second verse.”
Believe it or not, that chilling cover was just a warmup session. As killer as he is at capturing the very essence of everything from Animal Collective to Ariel Pink, Caulfied’s true talent is in telling his own Young Man stories. The first chapter of which goes by the name Boy, a deceivingly-simple suite of songs about wanting to grow up without having the slightest idea of what ‘being a man’ actually means.
Now that’s a reason to hit rewind, from the tone-setting tenderness and psych-infused harmonies of “Five” to the restless rhythms (Caulfield was a drummer well before he became a singer/guitarist) and room-engulfing intimacy of “Up So Fast.” Both of which feature some of the most hopeful/haunting choruses you’ll hear all year.
And that’s just the beginning, of course. Since Young Man was conceived as a concept project about the passing of time, love, and loss, Caulfield already has two loosely- linked LPs on tap—a faceless collection of fragile characters that could be any one of us, really.
“A lot of it’s autobiographical,” explains Caulfield, “but it’s universal at the same time, because everyone goes through these things.”
Listen closely. It’ll all make sense soon enough. Trust us."
Being Alone
Young Man Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Wave from my hand
I was a different man
Did I understand there were decisions to make?
Bills to be paid
I was a different man
Now at this stage,
Turning a page,
Though it’s hard to explain
Exactly what I know now
And I what I have lost
I hope I find it
Long to when I’ll be hardly alone
Waiting for someone to keep me down
Just stand in a drone
Travel where I need to be true
And what should I do?
Believe these are the feelings that I have and choose
Well there’s a blue bird inside of me
But I won’t let em out
There’s a little age plan, overrun myself down
Those are bound of need
Thus the man that you see
Yea, I am blue but inside of me
But I’m trying to be tough
As a boy I was told that I didn’t have the stuff
It’s just something in me
Something in me
(Pre-)
I’m being alone
Wave from my hand
I was a different man
Did I understand there were decisions to make?
Bills to be paid
I was a different man
Now at this stage,
Turning a page,
I re-examine these ways
Though it’s hard to explain
Exactly what I know now
And I what I have lost
I hope I find it
Long to when I’ll be hardly alone
Waiting for someone to keep me down
Just stand in a drone
Travel where I need to be true
And what else can I do?
Believe these are the feelings that I have and choose
Was it I or another person in this life?
Standing here, why did I grow so unknown here
Live at last, that’s a inspiration from my past
Being here, all the distances just so unclear
The song "Being Alone" by Young Man is a reflection on the changes that have taken place in the singer's life. The beginning of the song is filled with questions and uncertainty about the decisions that have led him to this point in his life. The singer wonders about the consequences of the choices he's made and sets out to examine his ways. He acknowledges the difficulty of explaining what he knows now and what he's lost in the process.
The chorus of the song expresses the singer's longing to be with someone, to have a companion to lean on. He yearns to have someone to travel with, someone who understands him and the feelings he has. There's a sense of loneliness and desperation here that resonates with the listener.
In the second verse, the singer talks about the blue bird inside of him, a metaphor for the emotions he suppresses. He's trying to be tough and keep it all together, but there's a vulnerability that shines through. He acknowledges the doubts that have been present since he was a boy and how he was told he didn't have what it takes. Despite this, he's still pushing through, trying to find his place in the world.
Overall, "Being Alone" is a deeply introspective and emotional song that touches on themes of loneliness, self-discovery, and finding oneself. The vulnerability and sense of longing in the lyrics make it a relatable track for anyone going through a period of transition in their life.
Line by Line Meaning
Wave from my hand
Acknowledge or say goodbye to someone or something
I was a different man
I have changed since the past
Did I understand there were decisions to make?
Was I aware of the choices that needed to be made?
Bills to be paid
Expenses that need to be taken care of
Now at this stage, Turning a page, I re-examine these ways
I am at a different point in my life and I am reflecting on my past actions
Though it’s hard to explain Exactly what I know now And I what I have lost
It is difficult to articulate the knowledge I have gained and the things I have lost along the way
I hope I find it
I desire to rediscover what I have lost
Long to when I’ll be hardly alone
I look forward to a time when I won't feel so lonely
Waiting for someone to keep me down
Hoping for someone to help ground me and make me feel secure
Just stand in a drone
Be complacent without taking action
Travel where I need to be true
Journey to where I feel most authentic
And what should I do?
I am uncertain about what action to take
Believe these are the feelings that I have and choose
I trust that these emotions I am experiencing are genuine and a result of my own choices
Well there’s a blue bird inside of me
I have an optimistic spirit
But I won’t let em out
I am hesitant to show my optimistic side
There’s a little age plan, overrun myself down
I have a small amount of wisdom, but often neglect my own well-being
Those are bound of need
These behaviors are difficult to break free from
Thus the man that you see
This is who I am perceived as
Yea, I am blue but inside of me
I have a positive outlook despite my struggles
But I’m trying to be tough
I am attempting to be resilient
As a boy I was told that I didn’t have the stuff
As a child, I was discouraged
It’s just something in me Something in me
I have a unique characteristic that motivates me
I’m being alone
I feel lonely
Was it I or another person in this life?
Am I responsible for the events in my life or were they influenced by others?
Standing here, why did I grow so unknown here
Why do I feel like a stranger in my current situation?
Live at last, that’s a inspiration from my past
My past is a source of motivation for me to live life to the fullest
Being here, all the distances just so unclear
I am uncertain about the path ahead of me
Writer(s): Colin Caulfield Copyright: Smanly Music, Chrysalis Songs
Contributed by Jordan N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.