This track is about recognizing the patterns in our lives, particularly in relationships, and the bittersweet realization that some things must end for new beginnings to take place. It speaks to the human condition of clinging to the familiar, even when it no longer serves us. The songwriter addresses a specific person, perhaps a lover, hinting at a personal story behind the lyrics. The underlying message is about awakening from a dream-like state of complacency and making the necessary changes to move forward.
This song is a metaphor for life’s journey and the human tendency to stick to the known path, even when it leads nowhere fulfilling. The call to “wake up” urges listeners to break free from their comfort zones and embrace change. Let’s see how.
“All We Ever Knew” Lyrics Meaning
The opening lines, “When I wake up in the morning, I see nothing for miles and miles and miles,” set a tone of emptiness and perhaps a sense of being lost or directionless. This feeling of void is contrasted with the evening, where the protagonist dreams of ‘her,’ indicating a longing for something or someone that is absent in reality.
The chorus, “All we ever do, is all we ever knew,” is a powerful reflection on the cyclical nature of life and relationships. It suggests a realization that we often repeat the same patterns, unable to break free from what we have always known. This can be both comforting and suffocating, as implied in the song.
The lines “You don’t see why you would there’s no love to give. Well, what goes around comes around” hint at a realization of unreciprocated feelings or efforts in a relationship. It’s an acknowledgment that sometimes love isn’t enough, and that realization can be both liberating and painful.
Interestingly, the song oscillates between a state of dreaming and waking – “It’s time to wake up from this” – suggesting a desire to confront reality and make necessary changes. The repetition of “I’m feeling low, feeling high, feeling down, why isn’t this enough?” speaks to the emotional turmoil and confusion often accompanying such realizations.
The Story Behind “All We Ever Knew”
“All We Ever Knew” reflects a state of mind where one is caught between the comfort of the familiar and the daunting prospect of the unknown. This song appears to be born out of personal experience, possibly a significant relationship or life phase that compelled the writer to reflect on the nature of life and growth.
Moreover, the song’s emphasis on waking from a dreamlike state and facing reality hints at a moment of epiphany for the writer. It’s as if, through writing this song, they were processing their own journey of self-discovery and realization. The repetitive nature of the lyrics, especially the chorus, underlines the theme of cycles and patterns that we often find hard to break.
In essence, “All We Ever Knew” is not just a song but a narrative of personal growth and the universal struggle of leaving behind the familiar to embrace change. The songwriter, through their own experiences and introspections, has crafted a piece that resonates with anyone who has ever found themselves at a crossroads, looking back at the well-trodden path and pondering the road less traveled.