In the morning
When you throw up water
And your skin turns a pale, pale yellow
Well, every day you lose more color
Do you think that someone paints your mirror?
So you think that things sound different
At the time when you speak
Well, there are visions much clearer than these blurs that you see
And like Neely O'Hara you swallow your sleep
And wake up in the morning
To find you are not who you used to be
You don't recognize the behavior
Or the spelling of your name and the shape that is in the mirror
Well, you'd swear it is not the same
And like Neely O'Hara
You swallow your sleep and you really can't remember
But you know you are not
Think you are not
No, you are not who you used to be



Lyrics submitted by PLANES

Track duration: 06:22


Neely O'Hara song meanings
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94 Comments

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  • 0
    General Comment:So, to me this song has a lot of meaning. While I was on drugs I completely lost who I was. I would look in the mirror and literally say to myself that that was not me. Also, I would wake up many times in the morning and drink some water to try to feel better and just throw it right back up. I believe he is just describing being a drug addict and how it effects your perception on life. Besides the song part I believe one would not think they are themselves while looking in the mirror because he or she is ashamed of what they have done. I think that is why I thought that. I am not real sure though.
    Flag jmmilleron March 18, 2012   Link
  • 0
    My Interpretation:Here is a quick interpretation before I go to sleep, note, this is just what I think. It's supposed to be universal. :)

    In the morning
    When you throw up water

    ~When I rarely get a hangover, I drink water and throw it up. Sorry, this is just going to be quick and ... yeah that's it.


    And your skin turns a pale, pale yellow
    Staying inside/insomnia/drugs/ skin becomes.. un-human.

    Well, every day you lose more color

    Yeah

    Do you think that someone paints your mirror?
    (implying she doesn't notice changes that are taking place)


    So you think that things sound different
    At the time when you speak
    (that's not how i meant it/ why aren't i in sync with my head)

    Well, there are visions much clearer than these blurs that you see

    ("I find that life is easier when it is just a blur, with no details to confuse who or what or where I was")

    And like Neely O'Hara you swallow your sleep
    And wake up in the morning
    To find you are not who you used to be
    (I don't know if you've ever taken sleeping pills for an extended amount of time + copious drug use.. but they melt your brain,///see below)

    You don't recognize the behavior
    (don't notice)

    Or the spelling of your name and the shape that is in the mirror
    (is that me?)
    Well, you'd swear it is not the same
    (things have changed)
    And like Neely O'Hara
    You swallow your sleep and you really can't remember
    (I can't)
    But you know you are not
    Think you are not
    No, you are not who you used to be
    (I'm not)
    Flag jraghonflyon October 14, 2011   Link
  • +2
    General Comment:i think this song is about someone with depression and anxiety, more specifically with depersonalization disorder. at least, that's what it reminds me of.
    "So you think that things sound different
    At the time when you speak
    Well, there are visions much clearer than these blurs that you see"
    &
    "You don't recognize the behavior
    Or the spelling of your name and the shape that is in the mirror
    Well, you'd swear it is not the same"

    those are the same feelings i have when my depersonalization acts up.
    Flag elizabishon September 05, 2011   Link
  • +1
    General Comment:i think its about aging and loosing bits of yourself along the way, following n insane, unnatural path and then through it all, having a brief moment of reality, seeing past the denial of the fact that yes, every living thing on earth is slowly changing and aging right now and every minute of life. Looking back, seeing yourself now and trying to remember that face before it aged.... thats what i think this son about.
    Flag winteraliceon June 08, 2011   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:It sounds like whoever Conor is referencing using Neely O'Hara was a smart, talented person who allowed life and depression to bring them down. This is a theme on the Everyday and Every Night EP. She obviously has insomnia and takes sleeping pills, or "swallows her sleep". As well she is probably not eating much because of drug abuse, self image problems or both. This is making her ill, causing her to "throw up water" or stomach acid.
    Flag chemolimoon January 15, 2011   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:"I left little pauses" .....
    Flag flyingxponyon November 20, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:this song isnt about his friend neely.
    its about the girl from valley of the dolls.

    him and neely are good friends, they grew up next door to each other.
    Flag synapsetosynapse777on May 07, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:No one seems to pay attention to the last little bit of the two women exchanging conversation, it sounds like someone helping someone learn a language, and it could but, but I think someone who knows the language and has a good ear should try translating all of the words and see what they come out with.

    I just find it odd that the last phrase really said is this,
    "I left little pools so that you could repeat after me, alright?"


    Flag Suicidecandyon April 09, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I am going to TRY to explain this from personal experience and my point of view, I hope I wont get too much slash for it!





    In the morning
    When you throw up water

    -Eventually when there is nothing you your system,
    that is all that comes out.

    And your skin turns a pale, pale yellow
    Well, every day you lose more color
    Do you think that someone paints your mirror?

    -Obviously when you don't eat you loose nutrients
    you need etc and your skin starts to turn yellow,
    I know I didn't notice it, only others did.

    So you think that things sound different
    At the time when you speak
    Well, there are visions much clearer than these blurs that you see

    -Things people say to you, you will twist and turn
    make it into your own problems, make what people
    say your motivation to continue doing this to yourself easily.

    And like Neely O'Hara you swallow your sleep
    -Neely O hara=Perfection/Doll I THINK let me know if I'm way off I'm not that educated on this.
    -Swallowing your sleep, before you go to bed you
    are starving, but if you force yourself to sleep then
    you will make that hunger go away. Success.

    And wake up in the morning
    To find you are not who you used to be
    You don't recognize the behavior
    Or the spelling of your name and the shape that is in the mirror

    -Your not who you used to be, it controls your life, you just
    get so used to it that it becomes such a small deal and hope
    no one notices so you can continue peacefully.
    -It's all about them digits, about them ribs in the mirror,
    about someone loving all of you completely.

    Well, you'd swear it is not the same
    And like Neely O'Hara
    You swallow your sleep and you really can't remember
    But you know you are not
    Think you are not
    No, you are not who you used to be

    -It's acknowledged whats going on, you know
    it's not the same, ruining your life but its worth it
    continue to sleep through that hunger swallowing it away.

    The last 3 line's are self-explanatory, truth.
    Everyone knows, won't dare to say it though.

    I really hoped this helped someone,
    It's hard hearing this song when you
    can relate so well, It's also amazing
    how Connor can get it so right.
    He's amazing.

    Thanks for reading<3
    Flag SallySunshineon February 18, 2010   Link
  • +1
    General Comment:Im bulimic, i also starve until my rib cage starts to show, and my collar bones pop out. Anyways, this song makes me cry so much. It makes me feel that some people actualy care.This song is just so conforting. I hope someone paints my mirror. Yet then again if i die from something either starving or puking..then maybe my family will actualy care. And then sometimes, when i hear songs like this, it makes me feel like the people who sing these songs care, and thats all we need, is for someone to care, and someone to love us.
    Flag Abrokenbeautyy92on June 20, 2009   Link

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