That’s What’s Up by Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros Lyrics Meaning – Unraveling the Tapestry of Eternal Companionship
Lyrics
You be the king, I’ll be the people
Well I was feeling such a mess I thought you’d leave me behind
Well I was being such a wreck I thought you’d treat me unkind
But you helped me change my mind
I’ll be the sun, you be the shining
You be the clock, I’ll be the timing
Well I was feeling such a mess I thought you’d leave me behind
Well I was feeling so upset I thought the sun never shined
Then I found forever
Hey hey love
We’ve been best friends forever darling
That’s what’s up
Forever
No matter what
You’ve got my love to lean on darling
That’s what’s up
You’ve got my love to lean on darling
No matter what
You be the book, I’ll be the binding
You be the words, I’ll be the rhyming
While I was feeling such a wreck I thought I was losing my mind
While I was feeling such a mess I thought the sun never shined
You be the bird, I’ll be the feather
We’ll be the best of friends forever
While I was feeling such a mess I thought you’d leave me behind
While I was feeling such a wreck I thought you’d treat me unkind
Then I’ll find forever and always
You’ve got my love to lean on darling
All the days
Forever, come what may
You’ve got my love to lean on darling
All the days
You’ve got my love to lean on darling
All the days of our days, yeah
Love is our shelter
Love is our cause
Love goes on forever
Yeah love will lead us all
Love, it is our honor
Love, it is our all
Love goes on forever
Yeah love it is our home
Oh, yeah, that’s what’s up
Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros’ song ‘That’s What’s Up’ is an anthem that encapsulates the joys of unyielding friendship and the enduring nature of love. At a cursory listen, the melodies evoke a spirit of camaraderie and celebration, but the lyrical depth warrants a deeper exploration.
Transcending the upbeat folk sounds, the song is a masterclass in lyricism, presenting metaphors for companionship that echo through the chambers of one’s soul. Its emotional resonance lies in its candidness and the ability to strike a universal chord with anyone who’s navigated the seesaw of close relationships.
A Symphony of Metaphors: Understanding the Immersive Imagery
The song kicks off with allusions to unity, with the church and steeple symbolizing a space of gathering and faith, archetypes for the interconnectedness between individuals. It’s a poetic way to assert that one can be the institution or the community, but together, they complete each other, emphasizing wholeness and mutual support.
Segueing seamlessly into the solar motif, the duo of the sun and shining speaks to the act of leading and elevating. One partner offers direction, while the other extends an invitation to reciprocate, co-creating moments in time with synchronous perfection.
The Unspoken Bond: Decoding the Song’s Hidden Meaning
Beneath the surface of warm vocals and comforting instrumentals lies a profound subtext about the foundation of trust and the promise of steadfastness. The repeated reassurances in the chorus, heralding love’s ability to ‘lean on,’ underscore a promise of unconditional support, a covert pact that withstands the test of time and tribulation.
This evergreen narrative strips down the romanticized veneer often found in love songs, opting instead for a pragmatic portrayal of companionship; love, here, isn’t just a feeling but an active verb that both protects and propels.
The Lingering Echo: Memorable Lines That Stick
‘Forever, no matter what’ isn’t just a catchy hook—it’s a battle cry for loyalty and the declaration of a love that doesn’t waver. It hits the listener with the gravity of its simplicity, becoming a mantra for relationships that are built to last, for connections that extend beyond the ephemeral.
Another line that echoes long after the song ends, ‘Love, it is our honor,’ encapsulates the sanctity and reverence with which the singers view love. It speaks to the nobility found in true companionship, where love is both a privilege and a responsibility to uphold.
An Ode to Endurance: Love as the Ultimate Journey
In the landscape of ‘That’s What’s Up,’ love is a vessel that sails through the stormy weathers of life. The lyric ‘All the days of our days, yeah’ suggests a timeline without end, where presence and commitment function as beacons of hope.
Like a timeless saga, the song advocates for a love that not only endures but becomes the cornerstone for existence, suggesting that relationships are the threads that weave the very fabric of our lives, ever-present and everlasting.
The Gospel of Togetherness: When Love Leads Us Home
In its concluding sentiments, the song embraces love as both the journey and the destination. When they state ‘Yeah love, it is our home,’ it signifies a deeper truth that love is not just a mere emotion but the environment that envelopes us.
By monumentalizing love as our home, it becomes clear that ‘That’s What’s Up’ is a celebration of finding solace and sanctuary in other human beings; it is a reminder that in the intricacies of relationships lie the beauty and essence of our very existence.





