Mark is the only Blink-182 member to go to college, as he wanted to be an English teacher. However, his college days didn’t last long because he found the classes to be tedious and useless.
In a program for one of Blink’s tours around the time of Enema’s release, Tom left a brief annotation for each track. For “Going Away to College”:
"'That’s a super-romantic song. Mark wrote the song as though you are a boy leaving your girlfriend, after years of school together. After high school, when you’re leaving to go to college, and what do you say to this girl that you’ve been in love with for years, but now have to leave for years? I don’t think it gets more romantic than that. It’s a sad song and it’s really moving. It’s one of my favorite songs on the record, and the way the lyrics flow with the music, I just think it’s a really sad, emotional song. It’s something a lot of people go through. You probably date a girl in high school and grow up with her and learn so much about each other and have so many growing pains and have to leave to go to college. Do you stay with her, do you break up with her, do you have faith in the relationship…? I don’t know. That’s a cool thing to write a song about.'"
4.Going Away To College
blink-182 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's so cold out tonight, I'll
Put blankets on the bed
I won't turn out the light, just
Don't forget to think about me and I
Won't forget you
"I'll write you once a week," she said
To fall in love or break it off
And if young love is just a game then
I must have missed the kick off
Don't depend on me to ever follow through on
Anything but I'd go through hell for you and
I haven't been this scared in a long time
And I'm so unprepared so here's your valentine
Bouquet of clumsy words, a simple melody
This world's an ugly place, but you're so beautiful to me
I'll think about the times
She kissed me after class
And she put up with my friends
I acted like an ass, I'd
Ditch my lecture to watch the girls play soccer
Is my picture still hanging in her locker?
I haven't been this scared in a long time
And I'm so unprepared so here's your valentine
Bouquet of clumsy words, a simple melody
This world's an ugly place, but you're so beautiful
I haven't been this scared in a long time
And I'm so unprepared so here's your valentine
Bouquet of clumsy words, a simple melody
This world's an ugly place, but you're so beautiful
The song "Going Away To College" by blink-182 is a nostalgic yet hopeful ode to young love and the inevitable transition into adulthood. The lyrics start off with the singer asking to be taken by the hand as it's a cold, lonely night. The intimacy in this line sets the tone for the song, as they express their fears and uncertainties about being away from someone they love. The singer promises to think about the person while they're away and writes letters to them once a week, indicating their commitment to maintaining the relationship.
The second verse deals with the confusion and pain that often comes with young love. The singer questions whether falling in love and breaking up elicits the same emotions, and suggests that if love is just a game, they missed the start of it. They admit that they may not always follow through on things, but they are willing to go through hell for this particular person. The chorus repeats the line "I haven't been this scared in a long time" twice, emphasizing the vulnerability and uncertainty felt by the singer. The third verse reminisces about the times spent with the person, including kissing after class and watching soccer games. The singer also wonders if their picture is still hanging in the person's locker, another nostalgic detail. The song ends with the repetition of the chorus, with the singer concluding that although the world is an ugly place, the person they love is beautiful to them.
Overall, "Going Away To College" is a bittersweet song about the joys and pains of growing up and falling in love. It's a song that many can relate to, as everyone experiences the feeling of not being ready for big changes at some point in their lives.
Line by Line Meaning
Please take me by the hand
The singer is asking their partner for emotional support in a difficult time.
It's so cold out tonight
The weather reflects the singer's feelings of loneliness and vulnerability.
I'll put blankets on the bed
The singer is taking care of their own physical comfort in the absence of their partner.
I won't turn out the light
The artist is holding onto the hope that their partner will return soon.
Just don't forget to think about me
The artist wants reassurance that they are still on their partner's mind even when apart.
And I won't forget you
The singer promises to hold onto thoughts of their partner while they are gone.
I'll write you once a week she said
The partner promises to communicate regularly while they are away at school.
Why does it feel the same
The artist is questioning the emotional intensity of both falling in love and breaking up.
To fall in love or break it off
The artist is wondering why both types of emotional pain feel so similar.
And if young love is just a game
The artist is acknowledging that love may not always be taken seriously in youth.
Then I must have missed the kick off
The singer feels like they may have missed the opportunity to experience young love fully.
Don't depend on me to ever follow through on anything
The artist acknowledges that they may not always be reliable, but still deeply cares for their partner.
But I'd go through hell for you and
Despite their sometimes unreliable nature, the singer is willing to do anything for their partner.
I haven't been this scared in a long time
The singer is feeling a deep sense of anxiety and fear about their future without their partner.
And I'm so unprepared so here's your valentine
The singer is expressing their love for their partner, despite feeling under-equipped to handle a long-distance relationship.
Bouquet of clumsy words, a simple melody
The artist's message to their partner may not be perfectly articulated, but it still comes from the heart.
This world's an ugly place, but you're so beautiful to me
The artist finds beauty and hope in their relationship even in a world that can feel harsh and unforgiving.
I'll think about the times
The singer is reminiscing on happy memories with their partner.
She kissed me after class
The singer recalls a specific happy moment with their partner.
And she put up with my friends
The artist appreciates that their partner accepted their social circle, despite any flaws or quirks.
I acted like an ass
The artist acknowledges that they may have made mistakes in the relationship, but has learned from them.
I'd ditch my lecture to watch the girls play soccer
The artist prioritized spending time with their partner over attending class, highlighting the importance of their relationship to them.
Is my picture still hanging in her locker?
The singer wonders if their partner still holds onto physical reminders of their relationship and love.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Mark Hoppus, Thomas DeLonge, Travis L. Barker
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@OwenGTA
I'm 24 now.. Man.. The memories of my younger years 18-22... I can't get over how fast time passes. Make the most of your youth kids, I'd give anything to go back in time and relive it all.. Damn..
@ohwellwhatevernevermind6712
So 2 years ago you were like "what's my age again?"
@n3rdworldproblemz877
Yo yo dude your 29 now how are you? When I listen to blink I think back like 2001-2002.
@bbaileyyx3
Of course I love their older/immature days. Their songs epitomized teenager years and obviously that's why they were so popular with that crowd, but I think Neighborhoods did a great job of having a more mature sound as well as lyrics. A few of the songs on there are now are also some of my favorite Blink 182 songs.
@Evelynx33
It was pretty good! I really liked it. They're releasing an EP Dec. 18th :D
@emilyjohnston6727
i love this song aw
@magzhantashibay6590
2019 and this song is still fire 🔥
@hananiguardiana2011
yeah i like this band since high school
@LostHabit
First class of college in 3 days. I miss home.
@queenlion5307
+James Garland GGG ggyy