In The Park
joedotwhy Lyrics
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Young kid man I wish I’d knew these days would pass
We were sitting in the park til dark
As a kid I wish I knew the days like this wouldn’t last
Chilling in the park was a lark
Young kid man I wish I’d knew these days would pass
We were sitting in the park til dark
As a kid I wish I knew the days like this wouldn’t last
Cus these days won’t ever really end, right? (Right?)
I was hated but man I had heart
Now I do the same shit every night (every night)
Never mattered what the motive was
We had sun, had bud, and we always had a laugh (right?)
Now everybody seems so harsh
No matter how much sun, man these days stay dark
I write tunes like I’m happy at my lowest
Make the track sound luscious when I focus
The nostalgia keep me going
Remember that time like Peter says to Lois
But my memory ain’t sharp I need pics for the moment
And if I ain’t got em jog my memory or it’s broken
I’m shaking up my head to look for pieces I’ve forgotten
Feeling like I’m spiralling down to the bottom
Spent the night in a cell but I couldn’t break open
Chilling in the park was a lark
Young kid man I wish I’d knew these days would pass
We were sitting in the park til dark
As a kid I wish I knew the days like this wouldn’t last
Chilling in the park was a lark
Young kid man I wish I’d knew these days would pass
We were sitting in the park til dark
As a kid I wish I knew the days like this wouldn’t last
He’s at uni, she’s at work and he’s on drugs
I’m still here feeling sorry for myself, like what a mug
And there ain’t much of a hole that I’ve dug
But truth is there’s ain’t much that I’m building up
I used to hate the ones that acted tough
But I think we’ve gone soft and we need to wake up
In this world man I feel so lost
Paths crumble at my feet
Got nothing to stand on
Chilling in the park was a lark
Young kid man I wish I’d knew these days would pass
We were sitting in the park til dark
As a kid I wish I knew the days like this wouldn’t last
Chilling in the park was a lark
Young kid man I wish I’d knew these days would pass
We were sitting in the park til dark
As a kid I wish I knew the days like this wouldn’t last
In the song "In The Park" by joedotwhy, the lyrics present a poignant reflection on nostalgia, the fleeting nature of youth, and the contrasting realities of adulthood. The opening lines express a carefree sense of enjoyment—chilling in the park was a joyous experience for the young protagonist. However, this joy is coupled with a longing for awareness that these carefree days would not continue indefinitely. The repetition of the phrase "chilling in the park was a lark" reinforces the blissful simplicity of childhood, where the biggest concerns were simply to enjoy the laughter with friends and the warmth of the sun. This initial exuberance starkly contrasts with the acknowledgment of inevitable change, leading the listener to contemplate the bittersweet nature of growth and how moments that feel eternal often dissolve faster than anticipated.
As the verses progress, the singer’s current reality reveals a stark transformation from those carefree moments in the park. The lyrics convey a sense of disillusionment and isolation that comes with adulthood. The line "I was hated but man I had heart" speaks to the resilience and spirit he embodies, even amid unkindness. This vulnerability is significant; even though he faces challenges and feelings of being lost, there’s a persistent determination to find purpose, as represented in the creation of music. The juxtaposition of memories with the harsh present highlights an emotional conflict: how laughter and sunlight can fade away, leaving behind a darker experience of life, accentuated by a feeling of stagnation. The carefree joy morphs into a burdensome nostalgia as adulthood crumbles into mundane or destructive patterns.
The lyrics delve deeper into the singer’s observation of those around him, emphasizing the divergence of paths that friends have taken. The mention of peers engaging in various pursuits—such as university, work, or drug use—paints a picture of varying life choices but also evokes a sense of despair from the singer's own stagnation, feeling sorry for himself. This contrast not only amplifies feelings of regret but also a realization of his own lack of direction. The line “there ain’t much of a hole that I’ve dug” suggests a minimalist yet self-critical view of his current standing in life, revealing an awareness that he feels trapped while others seemingly move forward. This collective experience surfaces an innate desire for connection and clarity amidst chaos, showcasing the struggle to comprehend one’s place in this evolving world.
Ultimately, the refrain “Chilling in the park was a lark” repetitively ties back to the song’s central theme—highlighting how the carefree days of youth fade into a more complex, often painful reality. The singer’s recognition that these “days like this wouldn’t last” becomes a heartbreaking acknowledgment of loss and change. As paths seem to crumble beneath him, he reflects on the sensitivity of these moments that carry profound meaning, yet often go unappreciated in the moment. The melancholy at the end of the song serves as a reminder of the blessings found in simplicity, and how adult responsibilities can overshadow the essence of joy once cherished. This journey expresses a universal struggle: the transition from the innocence of youth into the weight of adulthood, leaving the listener to ponder the intricate balance between remembrance, regret, and the longing for simpler times.
Line by Line Meaning
Chilling in the park was a lark
Enjoying carefree moments in the park felt like a delightful adventure.
Young kid man I wish I’d knew these days would pass
As a young person, I regret not understanding that these joyful times were fleeting.
We were sitting in the park til dark
We spent hours in the park, fully engrossed in the moment until the sunset.
As a kid I wish I knew the days like this wouldn’t last
I reflect that as a child, I should have recognized the impermanence of such blissful days.
Chilling in the park was a lark
Leisure time in the park was an exhilarating experience.
Young kid man I wish I’d knew these days would pass
In my youth, I yearned for awareness of how transient these moments would prove to be.
We were sitting in the park til dark
We were lost in our youthful joy, lingering in the park until nightfall.
As a kid I wish I knew the days like this wouldn’t last
I now see that I should have appreciated the temporary nature of such happy times in my childhood.
Fuck about in the park, it’s a lark
Goofing off in the park was a source of pure joy and fun.
Cus these days won’t ever really end, right? (Right?)
I naively believed that such carefree times would last indefinitely.
I was hated but man I had heart
Though I faced animosity, I maintained my passion and resilience.
Now I do the same shit every night (every night)
I find myself stuck in a repetitive cycle of the same routine each evening.
Never mattered what the motive was
The reasons for our actions became irrelevant; we simply sought enjoyment.
We had sun, had bud, and we always had a laugh (right?)
In those days, we enjoyed the sun, shared camaraderie, and laughter, creating cherished memories.
Now everybody seems so harsh
Presently, the people around me appear unforgiving and unkind.
No matter how much sun, man these days stay dark
Even on bright days, a sense of gloom and negativity pervades life.
I write tunes like I’m happy at my lowest
I create music that expresses happiness, even during my most difficult times.
Make the track sound luscious when I focus
When I concentrate, my music transforms into something rich and beautiful.
The nostalgia keep me going
Memories of the past provide me with motivation and drive forward.
Remember that time like Peter says to Lois
I reminisce about moments with a deep sense of familiarity, akin to character reflections.
But my memory ain’t sharp I need pics for the moment
My recall of the past isn't clear, and I rely on photographs to jog my memory.
And if I ain’t got em jog my memory or it’s broken
Without these visual reminders, my recollection of those times feels fragmented and incomplete.
I’m shaking up my head to look for pieces I’ve forgotten
I find myself actively trying to recover lost memories that once brought joy.
Feeling like I’m spiralling down to the bottom
I experience a sense of descent into despair and hopelessness.
Spent the night in a cell but I couldn’t break open
I’ve felt trapped in my own issues, unable to find a way out.
Chilling in the park was a lark
Spending time in the park represented moments of lighthearted joy.
Young kid man I wish I’d knew these days would pass
I often think back to my childhood, wishing I had known the value of those passing days.
We were sitting in the park til dark
We extended our time in the park until it was dark, oblivious to the world around us.
As a kid I wish I knew the days like this wouldn’t last
As a child, I failed to grasp that these blissful times were not eternal.
Chilling in the park was a lark
Those moments of playfulness and innocence in the park were truly special.
Young kid man I wish I’d knew these days would pass
In my youth, I yearned for the wisdom to recognize that these joyful moments were temporary.
We were sitting in the park til dark
We spent carefree hours together in the park, fully immersed in our happiness.
As a kid I wish I knew the days like this wouldn’t last
I lament not foreseeing that such joyful periods in life were short-lived.
He’s at uni, she’s at work and he’s on drugs
Life has changed; friends are pursuing different paths that reflect the realities of adulthood.
I’m still here feeling sorry for myself, like what a mug
I find myself mired in self-pity, realizing how foolish I seem to others.
And there ain’t much of a hole that I’ve dug
I recognize that I haven’t made significant progress in my life’s journey.
But truth is there’s ain’t much that I’m building up
Honestly, I’m not constructing a meaningful future for myself.
I used to hate the ones that acted tough
I once detested those who pretended to be strong or unyielding.
But I think we’ve gone soft and we need to wake up
Now I feel society has become overly complacent, and we must regain our resilience.
In this world man I feel so lost
I experience a profound sense of confusion and aimlessness in my life.
Paths crumble at my feet
The options and opportunities I once had are deteriorating and disappearing.
Got nothing to stand on
I feel unsupported, lacking stability in my life’s direction.
Chilling in the park was a lark
Those carefree days spent in the park will always be cherished as joyful moments.
Young kid man I wish I’d knew these days would pass
As a young person, I often regret not realizing how temporary those delightful days really were.
We were sitting in the park til dark
We found comfort and joy in each other's company in the park until the night descended.
As a kid I wish I knew the days like this wouldn’t last
As a child, I wish I had appreciated and recognized the fleeting nature of these joyful moments.
Lyrics © O/B/O DistroKid
Written by: Joe Yeates
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind