*In a dinosaur-like fashion, according to some who have witnessed his running form on the streets of Northern Vermont.
Amélia
Zac Clark Lyrics
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Over seven semesters spent in relative obscurity, collecting dust
Because I couldn't collect myself enough
To break the habit of keeping my mouth shut
I wouldn't call it giving up cause I feel just fine
But I won't hold my breath while I'm waiting for a next time
I'll step back and start over again
So now I'm stuck facing my luck and the possibility of being buried alive
In another semester of open windows closing
Knowing there's no chance but hoping
You'll do anything but hate me
Cause you, you could save me
I wouldn't call it giving up cause I feel just fine
But I won't hold my breath while I'm waiting for a next time
I'll step back and start over again
It's nothing, it's nothing, it's nothing.. but I'm lying and it shows
This doesn't mean a thing, forget I even mentioned it
This doesn't mean a thing
But I'm lying and it shows
I can't leave here without letting you know
I'm tearing down these boards before I go
The lyrics to Zac Clark's "Amelia" describe the internal struggle of a person who has spent seven semesters in relative obscurity, unable to break the habit of keeping their mouth shut. This person has missed a window of opportunity and now faces the possibility of being buried alive in another semester of missed chances. They are hoping that the person they are addressing in the song will save them from this fate, but also acknowledge that they cannot continue to wait for a next time.
Throughout the song, there is a sense of tension between the singer's desire for change and their fear of rejection. The line "I wouldn't call it giving up 'cause I feel just fine" suggests that the singer may be content with their current situation, even as they long for something more. However, they are also aware that staying silent will not lead to any kind of progress. The repeated refrain of "it's nothing, it's nothing, it's nothing…but I'm lying and it shows" highlights the tension between the singer's desire to downplay their feelings and the reality that those feelings are very real.
Overall, "Amelia" is a song that captures the difficult process of moving out of one's comfort zone and taking a risk. It is about the struggle between staying silent and speaking up, and the fear of rejection that often goes hand-in-hand with putting oneself out there.
Line by Line Meaning
It's a seven semester window of opportunity that's been boarded up
The singer has spent seven semesters hiding away and avoiding opportunities.
Because I couldn't collect myself enough to break the habit of keeping my mouth shut
The singer was too scared to speak up for themselves and missed out on opportunities as a result.
I wouldn't call it giving up cause I feel just fine
The singer doesn't regret their past behavior and feels content with how things are.
But I won't hold my breath while I'm waiting for a next time
The artist is ready to move on and start fresh without expecting another chance.
So now I'm stuck facing my luck and the possibility of being buried alive
The artist is facing the consequences of their past inaction and fears being trapped in the same cycle.
In another semester of open windows closing
The singer feels like they keep missing their chances and time is running out.
Knowing there's no chance but hoping you'll do anything but hate me
The singer is aware that they messed up their chances, but hopes the other person won't hate them for it.
Cause you, you could save me
The artist sees the other person as their potential savior from their current situation.
It's nothing, it's nothing, it's nothing.. but I'm lying and it shows
The artist is trying to convince themselves that their situation isn't a big deal, but they know deep down it is.
This doesn't mean a thing, forget I even mentioned it
The artist downplays their own feelings and tells the other person to forget about it.
But I'm lying and it shows
Even though they try to hide it, the singer's true feelings are apparent.
I can't leave here without letting you know
The artist feels like they need to confess their feelings before they can move on.
I'm tearing down these boards before I go
The singer is finally taking action to break free from their past and move forward.
Contributed by Eli P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.