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Do you ever get the feeling
That we started in the middle?
Or have you ever had the sense
That we've been lying just a little?
I mean come on
It's not like we've known ourselves that long
And I can't say I really blame you
For being bored with the beginning
Always staring at the score
To figure out who's barely winning
But don't you know
There is a reason strong move slow
And I'm okay
If you're okay with wasting time
But when you trace
You always see the bottom line
We are tracing
I hope you know
We are tracing
And if you want to know the moment
I knew that I was still alone
I found I never learned your number
I only stored it in my phone
You'd think by now
I'd know the shape of calling home
And I'm okay
If you're okay with wasting time
But when you trace
You always see the bottom line
We are tracing
I hope you know
We are tracing
Were both alone
We are tracing
We are tracing
Did you ever get the feeling
That we started in the middle?
Or have you ever had the sense
That we've been lying just a little?
I mean come on
It's not like we knew ourselves that long
That we started in the middle?
Or have you ever had the sense
That we've been lying just a little?
I mean come on
It's not like we've known ourselves that long
And I can't say I really blame you
For being bored with the beginning
Always staring at the score
To figure out who's barely winning
But don't you know
There is a reason strong move slow
And I'm okay
If you're okay with wasting time
But when you trace
You always see the bottom line
We are tracing
I hope you know
We are tracing
And if you want to know the moment
I knew that I was still alone
I found I never learned your number
I only stored it in my phone
You'd think by now
I'd know the shape of calling home
And I'm okay
If you're okay with wasting time
But when you trace
You always see the bottom line
We are tracing
I hope you know
We are tracing
Were both alone
We are tracing
We are tracing
Did you ever get the feeling
That we started in the middle?
Or have you ever had the sense
That we've been lying just a little?
I mean come on
It's not like we knew ourselves that long
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"Do you ever get the feeling
that we started in the middle", i think hes wondering if hes not the only one who feels like they skipped a step. that step meaning the step in which they take it slow and get to really like each other.
when he says
"or have you ever had the sense
that we've been lying just a little
I mean come on
it's not like we've known ourselves that long", i think hes saying "do you think we really liked each other, or did we just said we did and moved on to 'loving' each other, because we never really did like each other as much as we shouldve"
when he says
"and I can't say I really blame you
for being bored with the beginning", i think he means they moved too fast. like a fast forward button on a movie. youve seen the movie 500 times and you know its amazing, but the beginning is just so boring that you fast forward to the interesting part.
and when he says
"always staring at the score
to figure out who's barely winning", i think the girl mightve just broken up with a guy and trying to make him jealous and thats why shes staring at the score
when he says
"and I'm okay
if you're okay with
wasting time", i think he means that he wants to take it slow and get it to what it should be(real love), but deep down he knows he doesnt love her and he knows he wont ever get it to the love it should be, so he considers it 'wasting time'
when he says
"but when you trace
you always see the bottom line", i think he means that instead of drawing, theyre tracing. big difference. when you draw, its coming from your heart and its real because youre the one doing it, but when you trace something, it isnt real. youre just making a copy and its fake. so i think hes saying 'this love isnt real' and thats how hes seeing the bottom line.
when he says
"we are tracing
I hope you know
we are tracing" i think hes just saying "listen, this is all fake. we dont love each other"
when he says
"and if you want to know the moment
I knew that I was still alone
I found I'd never learned your number
I only stored it in my phone
you'd think by now
I'd know the shape of calling home" hes saying, "i knew i didnt have a lover with me when i tried to type out your number and the numbers just wouldnt fall out, because i didnt really know your number. if you were the one i truly loved, the one i called home, id know that route(her number) by now" when you really care for someone youre always talking and calling each other, and you always see that number and its easier to memorize. otherwise, you wont remember it if they dont really mean that much to you
that is what that song means to me. lyric by lyric. i love john with absolutely all of my heart, and i really think i understand his mindset and his lyrics. they come from the heart. to even come up with his lyrics makes a song, but when he puts guitar or piano to it, you know it's a masterpiece! he is the most brilliant person out there, and i know plenty people like that, so it mean a lot to say i think hes the most brilliant. his work is just astonishing
"Heres a song about when you swear to god you like somebody, you are sure you did
And they go 'are you uh... are you attracted to me'
And you go 'yeah... totally, yeah, absolutely'
And your brain goes 'Come on... Get attractive, get attractive'
It cerebrally works perfectly, but there's no like draw.
You're like... No, Give me a second, I just need a second... 'Absolutely'
When is this going to kick in? Cause this feels like its never going to kick in.
When is this sex going to turn into love?
You think one runs right into the other, it really doesnt
Its called Tracing..."
To me, this song is about wrong timing. "Do you ever get the feeling that we started in the middle...” meaning that we started ahead of ourselves and that if we just slow down and do it right this time we could be together again. Sometimes relationships start off too passionate and physical, and the personal side of a relationship is over missed. When things are too physical, you just say what makes the other happy so that you can keep the kissing and the physical aspect of things alive, "or have you ever had the sense that we've been lying just a little". Sweet talk is all it is. So the couple breaks up because they notice that they're in it for the wrong reasons, so they start tracing and going over who they are and what they are as a couple and "when you trace you always see the bottom line", the bottom line meaning the truth that they're meant to be together. The more and more they trace, the more alone they become "we're both alone", because this time around they're stronger, but getting to know someone can be a gradual process "there is a reason strong moves slow". They're willing to take the time to get to know each other so that they can ultimately have a stronger relationship than before. Time heals all; even when you think you're ready, just give it some more.
"and i cant say i really blame you
for being bored with the beginning
always staring at the score
just to figure out whos barely winning
but dont you know
there is a reason strong,move slow"
He is saying he knows that beginning part where you are think does she like me do I like her, trying to put your best self forward is a necessary evil, he says there is a reason strong moves slow, meaning you have to take a relationship through that in order to actually take it somewhere.
Then he talks about knowing it is not going anywhere, but it is alright to just have fun for a little when he says I am ok if your ok with wasting time. Then, (my favorite line in the song), he knows it is over and it is time to go when he says,
"and if you want to know the moment
i knew that i was still alone
i found i never learned your number
i only stored it in my phone
you'd think by now
id know the shape of calling home"
He is saying if he really cared about her, he'd, as a metaphor, "know the shape of calling home"
its not like we've known ourselves that long" - i love this. i mean yeah, they probably haven't known each other very long - but more than that, he's just saying that they're way too young to be in this deep aka we're not actually in this deep.
"the shape of calling home" is a big deal to me. these days it's rare to be able to dial someone's number with your eyes closed. and when you're in love with someone, it's like they are your home... especially once you're out on your own.
"and im okay
if you're okay with
wasting time
but when we trace
you always see the bottom line"
They both already know what to expect from each other and it seems like they are trying to be and feel the way they used to by doing the same things but it's never the same. They are "tracing" and the bottom line is what used to be.