Always Be by Jimmy Eat World Lyrics Meaning – Unraveling the Threads of Connection and Distance

You can view the lyrics, alternate interprations and sheet music for Jimmy Eat World's Always Be at Lyrics.org.

Lyrics

ould’ve been a night like any other
One of us has to drive
One of us gets to think
I’ll force a laugh to break the silence
It’s gonna get harder still
Before it gets easy
You can’t keep safe what whats to break

I’m alone in this
I’m as I’ve always been
Right behind what’s happening
She’s lost in this
She’s like she’ll always be
A little far for me to reach

I was just a boy like every other
I thought I was something fierce
I thought I was ten times smarter
Love would be something that I just know
(Something I just know)
How you gonna know the feeling till you’ve lost it
I’ve been losing plenty since

I’m alone in this
I’m as I’ve always been
Right behind what’s happening
She’s lost in this
She’s like she’ll always be
A little far for me to reach

Maybe something else I’m missing
Something good and your the reason
It’s a dream but there’s a real long wedding

I’m alone in this
I’m as I’ve always been
Right behind what’s happening
She’s lost in this
She’s like she’ll always be
A little far for me to reach

I’m alone in this
I’m as I’ve always been
Right behind what’s happening
She’s lost in this
She’s like she’ll always be
A little far for me to reach

Jimmy Eat World, a band with an uncanny ability to tap into the raw emotions of youth and distilled sentiment, delivers a piercing exploration of human connection in ‘Always Be.’ The tender, mid-tempo track from their 2007 album ‘Chase This Light’ skims across the surface of relationships, with a particular emphasis on the delicate interplay of proximity and intimacy.

At first listen, the song’s harmonious blend of guitar-driven melodies and earnest vocals suggests an archetype of alternative rock optimism. But a closer examination of the lyrics reveals a deeper, more introspective narrative. A tale of nearness and the perpetual chase for a connection that feels just out of reach.

Navigating Emotional Landscapes: Understanding Proximity and Intimacy

The recurring motif of closeness in ‘Always Be’ underscores the perennial human struggle with emotional proximity. The juxtaposition of ‘I’m alone in this’ with ‘Right behind what’s happening’ speaks volumes about the self-imposed barriers we erect in relationships. It’s a poetic reflection on how we grapple with the fear of vulnerability, a fear potent enough to leave us stranded just a step behind genuine connection.

The figure described as ‘She’s lost in this / She’s like she’ll always be / A little far for me to reach’ epitomizes the tantalizing distance we often feel with our loved ones: emotionally near yet existentially apart. This chasm, though minuscule, becomes an insurmountable space that the song’s protagonist aches to bridge, even while owning up to his resignation.

Decoding Melancholy: The Hidden Meaning Behind ‘Always Be’

Beyond just a tale of proximal yearning, ‘Always Be’ delves into the bittersweet realization that comes with maturity. The line ‘I thought I was something fierce / I thought I was ten times smarter / Love would be something that I just know’ is a subtle admission of the naivety of youth. The singer confides in the listener about his past overconfidence in understanding love, only to have that illusion shattered by experience.

Reality serves as a harsh teacher, imparting lessons of loss (‘How you gonna know the feeling till you’ve lost it’) that chip away at innocence, leaving behind a more guarded self that still craves connection but is all too aware of its fragility. ‘Always Be’ sweeps us into this internal reckoning, a mingling of nostalgia for simpler times and an acceptance of the nuanced complexities of adult relationships.

Orbiting the Ineffable: Love’s Elusiveness and Art’s Reflection

The song’s haunting beauty lies in juxtaposing the certainty of the self with the enigmatic nature of others. The chorus’ repetition of ‘I’m alone in this / I’m as I’ve always been,’ is a melancholic chant that affirms a strong self-awareness while simultaneously addressing the mysterious other who remains ‘a little far for me to reach.’

‘Always Be’ does not just echo personal experiences; it resonates with a universal truth found in countless narratives—real and fictional. It is the quintessential artistic pursuit to unveil and make sense of love’s perpetual evasion, an endeavor that Jimmy Eat World engages with both clarity and poetic finesse.

The Soundscape of Yearning: How Music Elevates Lyricism

Further amplifying the theme of longing in ‘Always Be’ is the band’s choice of instrumentation. The music ebbs and flows, building to crescendos that mirror the emotional highs of connection, then receding into softer moments that reflect solitude. This dynamic structure grants each line an added weight, as if the instruments themselves were engaged in the same dance of advance and retreat as the lyrics.

When the song speaks of a laugh forced to ‘break the silence,’ it’s not only about the awkwardness between people but also the profound silence that can loom within. The music’s ability to oscillate between hope and somberness parallels this internal monologue, giving voice to the oscillating waves of human emotions.

Memorable Lines: Echoing In the Hearts of Listeners

‘Maybe something else I’m missing / Something good and your the reason / It’s a dream but there’s a real longing’ – these lines capture the essence of ‘Always Be.’ They hint at the unfathomable depth of human relationships, the knowing that there is more to be discovered, a ‘something good’ that is worth the emotional striving and dream-like pursuit.

The song’s punch does not come from what is said out loud but from the echoing silence of the unsaid—the space between words where listeners insert their own hopes, regrets, and desires. In the end, ‘Always Be’ becomes not just a song but a shared emotional journey, a backdrop against which individuals can explore the tapestry of their connections to others.