James Morrison – This Boy

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  My Interpretation:Everyone's got an interesting interpretation. I agree most with the one right below me.
  
  For me, it's a about a girl and a guy who care about each other. They both have their own lives but it is a bit about a disconnect in their relationship. Even though they care, something isn't working.
  
  So one person wants to let go even though they care. They are saying that they will always care but at the same time they want to let it go.

  Flag thyi319on July 29, 2012   Link

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  General Comment:The song has a strong element of 'forgiveness' in it, but I interpret it slightly differently. Someone I dated very seriously years ago played this for me not long ago. The terms of our breakup were not good, but the fact that we were still able to salvage a relationship out of everything is a testament to the foundation of our friendship. And we still feel very deeply for each other. That said, I interpret this song much less literally than perhaps James originally intended:
  
  I'm still here, but it hasn't been easy
  I'm sure that you had your reasons
  I'm scared of all this emotion
  For years I've been holding it down
  
  And I'd love to forgive and forget
  So I'll try to put all this behind us
  Just know that my arms are wide open
  The older I get, the more that I know
  Well, it's time to let this go
  
  The 'boy' and 'girl' feel like adults to me. They work hard and are always trying to please, but are underappreciated by others in their lives. More importantly, they understand each other beyond anything else. And understand that moving past any old hurts is the only way to enjoy life truly, whatever the terms.
  
  

  Flag BTWIMHOon March 22, 2010   Link

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  General Comment:WOW!! I didn't know it had such a tough meaning. It actually hurts a lot not to have a good relation to your parents. This song is awesome and so so so deep. Is almost TOOO pretty to believe it, haha, anyone can play that guitar, i can, and EVERYBODY can to relate to those lyrics, i do have my male bff, well, everybody can, but no one puts those pure, intense, hard but inspiring feelings like James. He's great at what he does. Such a beautiful and relaxing melody, you won't think is this hard. And yeah, i'm addicted to it!!!!!!!!!!

  Flag MCRockerwayAfion December 06, 2009   Link

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  General Comment:A beautiful song. Mum won't be happy when they get home with mud on their clothes, but the 'we' refers to James and his childhood sweetheart. He has to forgive his mum, it was all for the best and we can all learn from that! Seeing James in concert in 26hrs and 35 mins! Can't wait

  Flag songster100on November 26, 2009   Link

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  General Comment:In his concert he said he wrote it for his mum, cause she "fucked" up his life but it was to let her know that it was okay.

  Flag Bmoon October 22, 2009   Link

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  Memory:This song reminds me of a friendship that I have been in for quite some time now. It's basically the same old story that's been told already. A very good freind of mind neglected our relationship when she got into another one and I took the back burner. I resented her for that and only recently are we able to try to get past it. Whether or not it's a cycle or not I am not sure.
  
  I just know I gave her this CD and told her to listen to this track and it would say everything. Fits perfectly :)

  Flag JGivs09on November 08, 2008   Link

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  General Comment:This song is amazing. He wrote it about his childhood but I think everyone can relate to it in some way, i know i can. great song, amazing voice.

  Flag Teambearon October 06, 2008   Link

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  General Comment:I agree with vickie d...great inertpretation. This song reminds me a bit of hawk nelson's head on colision, great song download it! Anyway, i think this song is about his childhoo and resenting his parents for not appreciating him or making him feel loved. I think he has many regrets and still begrudges his parents, but he wants to clear the air. The line "the older I get, the more that i know" is like time heals everything, the more distance between him and the event, the closer he can come to living around it. The chorus is great because you can relate it to anything, a failed relationship, a fight with friends, a bitter regret, what ever. Beautiful song with great lyrics...yay james!

  Flag serenity23on November 19, 2007   Link

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  General Comment:To me, this song is about a boy and a girl that are close friends. They share a common bond because neither one seems to be appreciated fully by their parents. The parents don't seem to notice their talents and don't take time out of their busy day just to enjoy time with their children. The children are hurt deeply by this, and relate to one another through this.
  
  When he sings, "I'm sure that you had your reasons", I think he is singing that to his mother, whom he feels neglected him. He's afraid of expressing his emotions because he never shared them with his mother before. He knows he has to share them, though, in order to "let it go" and experience healing. He wants to put it behind him so that he doesn't continue to perpetuate the damage in the relationship with his mother.
  
  I LOVE this song...

  Flag isaiah4031on November 18, 2007   Link

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  General Comment:These are the lyrics as I hear them...
  
  
  This boy wants to play, there’s no time left today
  It’s a shame ‘cause he has to go home.
  This boy’s got to work, got to sweat
  Just to pay what he gets to get left all alone.
  But let’s step outside. Let’s go for a ride, just for awhile.
  No, we won’t get caught, well that’s what I thought until we cried
  
  I’m still here, but it hasn’t been easy
  I’m sure that you had your reasons
  I’m scared if all this emotion
  For years I’ve been holding it down
  For years I’ve been holding it down
  
  This girl tries her best everyday, but it’s all gone to waste
  ‘Cause there’s no one around
  This girl, she can draw, she can paint
  Likes to dance, she can skate, now she don’t make a sound.
  We’ll play in the park, till it’s too dark for us to see
  Well, we’ll make our way home, with mud on our clothes.
  She won’t be pleased.
  
  I’m still here, but it hasn’t been easy
  I’m sure that you had your reasons
  I’m scared if all this emotion
  For years I’ve been holding it down
  
  And I’d love to forgive and forget
  So I’ll try to put all this behind us
  Just know that my arms are wide open
  The older I get, the more that I know
  Well, it’s time to let this go
  
  I got to let it go, I got to let it go
  I got to let it go, I got to let it go
  
  I’m still here, but it hasn’t been easy
  I’m sure that you had your reasons
  I’m scared if all this emotion
  For years I’ve been holding it down
  
  And I’d love to forgive and forget
  So I’ll try to put all this behind us
  Just know that my arms are wide open
  The older I get the more that I know
  
  And I’d love to forgive and forget
  So I’ll try to put all this behind us
  Just know that my arms are wide open
  The older I get, the more that I know
  Well, it’s time to let this go.

  Flag isaiah4031on November 18, 2007   Link

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