Leave the bright blue door on the whitewashed wall
Leave the death ledger under City Hall
Leave the joyful air in that rubber ball today

Just leave the lilac print on the linen sheet
Leave the birds you killed at your father's feet
Let the sideways rain and the crooked street remain

'Cause everything, it must belong somewhere
There's a train off in the distance, a bicycle chained to the stairs
Everything, it must belong somewhere
I know that now, that's why I'm staying here

Leave the ocean's roar in the turquoise shell
Leave the widower in his private hell
Leave the liberty in that broken bell today

Just leave the epic poem on its yellow page
Leave the gray macaw in his covered cage
Let the traveling band on the interstate remain

'Cause everything, it must belong somewhere
Soundstage in California, televisions in Times Square, yeah
Everything, it must belong somewhere
I know that now, that's why I'm staying here
Yeah, I know that now, that's why I'm staying here

In truth, the forest hears each sound
Each blade of grass as it lies down
The world requires no audience, no witnesses, no witnesses

Leave the novelist in his daydream tune
Leave the scientist in her Rubik's Cube
Leave the true genius in the padded room today

Leave the hot, white trash in the shopping malls
Leave the hawks of war in their capitals
Let the organ's moan in the cathedral remain

'Cause everything, it must belong somewhere
They locked the devil in the basement, threw God up into the air, yeah
Everything, it must belong somewhere
I know it's true, I wish you'd leave me here
Yes, you know it's true, why don't you leave me here?


Lyrics submitted by just_forget_me

I Must Belong Somewhere [Companion Version] Lyrics as written by Conor Oberst

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

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Everything Must Belong Somewhere song meanings
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35 Comments

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  • +1
    General Comment

    i interpret it differently, showroom. I think conor might be saying that people we traditionally view as "crazy" and lock away might have a sort of genius that we just can't understand.

    just_forget_meon January 28, 2005   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    I think that this song is a look at modern American culture. It is my favorite off of Cassidaga, and I think that, in time, it will be regarded as wonderful, nostalgic view of America.

    KINGmiduson January 04, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    heard this at the ann arbor show and fell in love with it. anyone know where I can find it?..I'm assuming a live version since it is a brand new one.

    Moggeton January 25, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Wahoo, my first lyric submission got approved.

    If you guys want a copy of this song (live), IM me: bloodykansas

    just_forget_meon January 26, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    i heard this last night and tonight when i saw him perform at the town hall. simply amazing. i need to find a copy of this. i really love the chorus, and the line, 'let the true genius in the padded room remain.'

    efil4zaknupomeon January 27, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    i was at the town hall show too last night (the 26th). everyone was.

    i'm actually a bit confused, because all the "leave the genius in the padded room" stuff would mean that the song is sarcastic, and yet he says that he is staying here because he knows he belongs here. so maybe that's said in a satirical tone also?

    showroomeyeson January 27, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Sweet Jesus, I heard this thursday night. At a show in NYC. I almost cried.

    He's staying in NYC now, and not returning to Omaha. At least thats the word. Brings enough meaning to the song? I thought so. Four feet form him.. yea, I teared up.

    chicken882on January 29, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    since conor called this "I Must Belong Somewhere" i submitted lyrics under that name...so i'm guessing that's what the name of the song is supposed to be

    apocalypse84on January 30, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    *i meant to say he said that's what it was called last night when he played it in D.C. it's archived on npr.org

    apocalypse84on January 30, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    chicken-he's been living in NYC for a couple of years.

    just_forget_meon January 30, 2005   Link

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