I know that you're in there
I can see you
You're saying you're ok
I don't believe you

And now that the gig is off
The spell is broken
The fat lady sung
The president has spoken

These days that you were waiting for
Will come and go
Like any day
Just another day

[Chorus]
There's never gonna be a moment of truth for you
While the world is watching
All you need is the thing you forgotten
And that's to learn to live with what you are

So freak out if you wanna
And I'll still be here
Don't call me for years and when you do
Yeah, I'll still be here

I'm not saying the effort is a waste of time - but I
Just love you for the things you couldn't change
Though you've tried
These hours of confusion they will soon expire
Like everything
Does

[Chorus]

Sometimes
Everything you've ever wanted
Floats above
He's sticking out his tongue and laughing
While everything
Anyone can ever need
Is down below
Waiting for you
To know this
There's never gonna be a moment of truth for you
While the world is watching
All you need is the thing you've forgotten
And that's to learn to live with what you are

You got to learn to live with what you
You got to learn to live with what you
Are



Lyrics submitted by rodneylove

Track duration: 04:28

"Learn to Live with What You Are" as written by Benjamin Scott Folds

Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.

Lyrics powered by LyricFind


Learn To Live With What You Are song meanings
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14 Comments

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  • 0
    General Comment:The way I see this song, it's talking about someone who keeps waiting for something to happen to them that will change them into what they want to become, and everything will all make sense. But that's not the way things are, there won't be a moment of truth like that, you'll always be yourself so you should just accept it.
    It's really motivating, in a...depressing sort of way.
    Flag everythingelseon November 25, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:"I just love you for the things you couldn't change, though you've tried" - it's one of those things that everyone feels but never quite puts into words.

    The way he describes special days goes to that uspoken area too. They're just moments like any other, waiting for them won't make them last forever. It should be dismal - it's not, not the way he sings that. It's optimistic somehow.

    I first heard this song after I got my degree in English. There had been a congratulatory rush, there had been quiet appraisal, now I was sitting on a park bench with headphones on. Things had come and gone, I was still there. Still myself. Disappointing and exhilarating. Cathartic, to hear this right then. I smiled all the way back home.
    Flag floodlineon December 19, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:"And I'm not saying the effort is a waste of time, but I just love you for the things you couldn't change, though you've tried" I LOVE that part, it's so sweet. Its a perfect song for Ben. He doesn't let what anyone thinks hold him back, and that's what makes him so great.
    Flag adelaideonaplaneon December 07, 2007   Link
  • +1
    General Comment:Ok, when I went through some serious crap this songs finally made sense. Helped me alot.

    Anyway it's a song from the perspective of a friend to someone who's really having a heck of a time figuring themselves out but they don't want anyone to know.

    The person is contantly trying to be something specific and evertime they aren't it gets them down. They constantly try to change themselves to be more perfect or something and they put up a front in the mean time so noone catches on.

    But a friend will catch on, and that's the other thing the song is about, is how friends will always know and always be there.

    I dunno, I've been there though, trying to change myself and failing, always trying to grasp up at stuff I want to be or stuff I'm missing and failing to realize I already had what I was looking for. I was always hoping for everything to click and it didn't, not the way I was thinking anyway.

    When you've been there it all makes sense.
    Flag DeathJake34on September 20, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:agree with synapse. the piano version was much more real.

    I think the line "There's never gonna be a moment of truth for you
    While the world is watching" means that she is never true to herself when she is around other people.
    Flag csomoponton June 12, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:Not digging the strings version so much. I think the strictly piano version had a rawness to it that I miss.
    Flag Synapse2Synapseon May 25, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:"Sometimes
    Everything you’ve ever wanted
    Floats above
    He’s sticking out his tongue and laughing
    While everything
    Anyone can ever need
    Is down below
    Waiting for you
    To know this
    There's never gonna be a moment of truth for you
    While the world is watching
    All you need is the thing you’ve forgotten
    And that's to learn to live with what you are"
    My favorite verse. ♥
    Flag samanthabananaon April 22, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I've always seen
    "There's never gonna be a moment of truth for you, while the world is watching..."
    as gentle advice to the listener that the world is not a TV show, where your problems are resolved in 22 minutes and suddenly everything becomes clear. You have to figure it all out on your own.

    I couldn't even pick a favorite line from this song. The whole thing is just so residual. I love it.
    Flag foundherselfon April 19, 2007   Link
  • +1
    General Comment:^^^ and he plays piano with a hook hand.
    Flag Douggon December 24, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:Has anyone seen the music video for this song? Hi-larious. He dresses like a pirate and runs around town. And when the song gets to the bridge, well... he's on a bridge!
    I laughed at that.
    Flag Douggon December 24, 2006   Link

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