This is a hauntingly beautiful song about introspection, specifically about looking back at a relationship that started bad and ended so poorly, that the narrator wants to go back to the very beginning and tell himself to not even travel down that road. I believe that the relationship started poorly because of the lines:
"Take me back to the night we met:When the night was full of terrors: And your eyes were filled with tears: When you had not touched me yet"
So, the first night was not a great start, but the narrator pursued the relationship and eventually both overcame the rough start to fall in love with each other:
"I had all and then most of you"
Like many relationships that turn sour, it was not a quick decline, but a gradual one where the narrator and their partner fall out of love and gradually grow apart
"Some and now none of you"
Losing someone who was once everything in your world, who you could confide in, tell your secrets to, share all the most intimate parts of your life, to being strangers with that person is probably one of the most painful experiences a person can go through. So Painful, the narrator wants to go back in time and tell himself to not even pursue the relationship.
This was the perfect song for "13 Reasons Why"
All of these lines across my face
Tell you the story of who I am
So many stories of where I've been
And how I got to where I am
But these stories don't mean anything
When you've got no one to tell them to
It's true, I was made for you
I climbed across the mountain tops
Swam all across the ocean blue
I crossed all the lines, and I broke all the rules
And, baby, I broke them all for you
Oh, because even when I was flat broke
You made me feel like a million bucks
You do
I was made for you
You see the smile that's on my mouth
It's hiding the words that don't come out
And all of our friends who think that I'm blessed
They don't know my head is a mess
No, they don't know who I really am
And they don't know what
I've been through like you do
And I was made for you
All of these lines across my face
Tell you the story of who I am
So many stories of where I've been
And how I got to where I am
Oh, but these stories don't mean anything
When you've got no one to tell them to
It's true, I was made for you
Oh yeah, well, it's true, that I was made for you
Tell you the story of who I am
So many stories of where I've been
And how I got to where I am
But these stories don't mean anything
When you've got no one to tell them to
It's true, I was made for you
I climbed across the mountain tops
Swam all across the ocean blue
I crossed all the lines, and I broke all the rules
And, baby, I broke them all for you
Oh, because even when I was flat broke
You made me feel like a million bucks
You do
I was made for you
You see the smile that's on my mouth
It's hiding the words that don't come out
And all of our friends who think that I'm blessed
They don't know my head is a mess
No, they don't know who I really am
And they don't know what
I've been through like you do
And I was made for you
All of these lines across my face
Tell you the story of who I am
So many stories of where I've been
And how I got to where I am
Oh, but these stories don't mean anything
When you've got no one to tell them to
It's true, I was made for you
Oh yeah, well, it's true, that I was made for you
Lyrics submitted by wheresthelove024
The Story Lyrics as written by Timothy Jay Hanseroth Phillip John Hanseroth
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
Add your thoughts
Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.
Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!
More Featured Meanings
The Night We Met
Lord Huron
Lord Huron
Mental Istid
Ebba Grön
Ebba Grön
This is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
Cajun Girl
Little Feat
Little Feat
Overall about difficult moments of disappointment and vulnerability. Having hope and longing, while remaining optimistic for the future. Encourages the belief that with each new morning there is a chance for things to improve.
The chorus offers a glimmer of optimism and a chance at a resolution and redemption in the future.
Captures the rollercoaster of emotions of feeling lost while loving someone who is not there for you, feeling let down and abandoned while waiting for a lover. Lost with no direction, "Now I'm up in the air with the rain in my hair, Nowhere to go, I can go anywhere"
The bridge shows signs of longing and a plea for companionship. The Lyrics express a desire for authentic connection and the importance of Loving someone just as they are. "Just in passing, I'm not asking. That you be anyone but you”
Page
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
There aren’t many things that’ll hurt more than giving love a chance against your better judgement only to have your heart crushed yet again. Ed Sheeran tells such a story on “Page.” On this track, he is devastated to have lost his lover and even more saddened by the feeling that he may never move on from this.
Plastic Bag
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Plastic Bag” is a song about searching for an escape from personal problems and hoping to find it in the lively atmosphere of a Saturday night party. Ed Sheeran tells the story of his friend and the myriad of troubles he is going through. Unable to find any solutions, this friend seeks a last resort in a party and the vanity that comes with it.
“I overthink and have trouble sleepin’ / All purpose gone and don’t have a reason / And there’s no doctor to stop this bleedin’ / So I left home and jumped in the deep end,” Ed Sheeran sings in verse one. He continues by adding that this person is feeling the weight of having disappointed his father and doesn’t have any friends to rely on in this difficult moment. In the second verse, Ed sings about the role of grief in his friend’s plight and his dwindling faith in prayer. “Saturday night is givin’ me a reason to rely on the strobe lights / The lifeline of a promise in a shot glass, and I’ll take that / If you’re givin’ out love from a plastic bag,” Ed sings on the chorus, as his friend turns to new vices in hopes of feeling better.
You know when you have been through alot of misery, alot of heartache and relationships that didn't last, and you kind of give up on it all, on love, life, all of it? And then one day you meet this amazing person who changes it all, who gives you peace in mind and in your soul/heart. I'ts meant to be, it's so easy, effortless, you share every inch of your depth and soul with them, you're made for each other. and finally you're home.. ?
Well this is about that. I think.
First of all, let me say that I'm over 50, divorced (u-g-l-y), male and I left everything I had for "the one". What I don't get is how, at her young age, she is able to get to the depths, despair, emotion and complexities of life. I really admire her, her songwriting, which is only exceeded by her voice, which is just amazing. and LIVE, she is more amazing than she is on her CD's. (saw her in NYC)
All of these lines across my face Tell you the story of who I am So many stories of where I've been And how I got to where I am But these stories don't mean anything When you've got no one to tell them to It's true... I was made for you
To me, These lines refer to the aspect of being successful and traveled but alone. Desperately so. Then getting a glimmer of hope, in that special someone who actually wants to hear the stories. And doesn't mind the lines in your face, because they have them as well.
I climbed across the mountain tops Swam all across the ocean blue I crossed all the lines and I broke all the rules But baby I broke them all for you Because even when I was flat broke You made me feel like a million bucks You do I was made for you
Sometimes in life, you have to give everything up that you thought (or taught) was important to be happy. It's about someone who isn't interested in the success (having achieved it), just someone to share life with. And is willing to bear any burden, face any foe, to be with someone who "gets" them.
You see the smile that's on my mouth It's hiding the words that don't come out And all of my friends who think that I'm blessed They don't know my head is a mess No, they don't know who I really am And they don't know what I've been through like you do And I was made for you...
God, these are the lines that really make the difference. How many of you have lived the lie to make other people happy? Been in a marriage where on the surface seemed perfect but was hopelessly broken. And lied to everyone around you when you were dying inside? This leads to the dysfunctional situation that a lot of people find themselves in, keeping ourselves in an unhappy relationship, because we feel trapped. After we meet the "one", it becomes impossible. We spend our days (and nights) yearning to be with someone that really understand who we are, and loves us for who we are and not for what we provide (big income, security, etc...)
All of these lines across my face Tell you the story of who I am So many stories of where I've been And how I got to where I am But these stories don't mean anything When you've got no one to tell them to It's true... I was made for you
So I agree with those of you who have ccmmented on how powerful this song is, it made a big difference in my life. (and still does). Other thoughts ? F
Cause it doesn't matter how old you are. Some people live a lifetime before the age of 25. Some people live almost their entire lives before ever understanding what true pain is. It's not about age it's about your experiences. I gotta say I'm only 26 and I feel like I have lived a life time. I got divorced at the age of 24. I was an only child and my mom was a single parent and she passed away when I was 23. She was only 41 and like my best friend. And my grandpa who was like my dad passed away when I was 16. I have had my heart broken numerous times. And I have been down and out and so close to being homeless it's crazy. Like I said experiences. Not age.
I just gotta say I too left my husband but not for the one. I met my husband when I was 18 before I ever really knew who I was or what I really wanted for myself. Then when my mom passed away 4 months after I got married I suddenly felt very lost and realized I had no idea who the hell I was. So I left him not for someone else but for me. The first thing that I ever did just for me. Best decision I ever made. I had never ever been happier in my entire life. I was able to be myself and not hide behind false ideas and perceptions, it was the most freeing experience of my life.
Brandi didn't write this song. Phil, one of the twin brothers did. Sorry. lol
i couldn't agree with you more Benson. she sings with such conviction...its powerful. reminds me of a modern melissa etheridge.
This song is about being with the right person in this point in your life , that person that nows how fuck up your life have been And that person was there for you and even though you have a bunch of scars of all those moments and some scars will never fade and even though you hide them you know you are fuck up for life , but you're happy to have someone to tell everything and feel save knowing that your heart is in safe hands and although you are broken you are with the most important person in your world. ...
Brandi sings about the irony of her sadness, despite her apparent success. There is one in her life though, that understands her - and this song is for her.
Brandi's voice is definitely the best I've heard. And her songwriting is absolutely amazing, but, this song was not written by Brandi Carlile. It was written by one of the twins in her band, Phil Hanseroth, and he should get the credit he deserves. It's an amazing song, and Brandi's vocals just add the perfect finish.
Brandi Carlile and Tim and Phil Hanseroth are an unstobbable trio at their writing. I suggest buying The Story, and their debut, Brandi Carlile.
I think that she's singing to her audience about her song(s). The so-called 'clichéd' lines have a different meaning when you look at it like that. You could look at it like a 'love song' to her audience in that context. I think her persona in the song could even be the song / her work itself.
this song is not about the audience. it was written by the twins before they ever had an audience. <br />
Brandi Carlile is a lesbian, just to clarify the assumptions being made that this song is about a man that she was/is with.
@brianahb musicians do sometimes assume character roles for their songs though, and they may keep it open so the general populace can relate to it
I concur this is a true love story. I agree with all of that idea have said. Except what ClarinetDreamer said because it's not a "he." Brandi Carlile is gay. Always has been. So, it would be a "she".
The great lie of this song is that the person who has been with you and grown with you-- the person that you were made for-- already knows your stories. And your stories don't mean anything if you can't tell them, and you can't tell them to the person who lived through them with you.