You look so defeated lying there in your new twin size bed
With a single pillow underneath your single head
I guess you decided that that old queen holds more space than you would need
Now it's in the alley behind your apartment with a sign that says it's free

And I hope you have more luck with this than me

You used to think that someone would come along
And lay beside you in a space that they belong
But the other side of the mattress and box springs stayed like new
What's the point of holding onto what never gets used?

Other than a sick desire for self-abuse

And I try not to worry, but you've got me terrified
It's like your some kind of hurry to say goodbye, say goodbye, say goodbye

You look so defeated lying there in your new twin size bed
You look so defeated lying there in your new twin size bed



Lyrics submitted by TDDx8, edited by knoxie13

Track duration: 03:06

"Your New Twin Sized Bed" as written by Benjamin Gibbard, Nicholas Harmer

Lyrics © EMI Music Publishing

Lyrics powered by LyricFind


Your New Twin Sized Bed song meanings
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56 Comments

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  • 0
    General Comment:this song is about some Girl who had a broken relationship and whos now single! This Girl is now lying alone in a twin size bed thats to big for herself! Thats means she´s not ready to be single and she is very depressed right now! Also gibbard sings :Now it's in the alley behind your apartment with a sign that says it's free! Maybe the bed is a metaphor for her relationship and it sais shes now trying to forget so she giving it away for free!
    Also Gibbard sings: But I hope you have more luck with this than me!
    That means that he had a broken reationship some time ago too and he was not able to forget it and to let his Girl go!
    Flag RobiN32on January 03, 2013   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:this song is about some Girl who had a broken relationship and whos now single! This Girl is now lying alone in a twin size bed thats to big for herself! Thats means she´s not ready to be single and she is very depressed right now! Also gibbard sings :Now it's in the alley behind your apartment with a sign that says it's free! Maybe the bed is a metaphor for her relationship and it sais shes now trying to forget so she giving it away for free!
    Also Gibbard sings: But I hope you have more luck with this than me!
    That means that he had a broken reationship some time ago too and he was not able to forget it and to let his Girl go!
    Flag RobiN32on January 03, 2013   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I found this song the summer before I went to college. At the time I liked to think that (contrary to the lyrics) the twin sized bed signified me moving into a dorm with twin and leaving the comfort of my full sized mattress at home. The slow melody also spoke to my apprehension to moving to a new city. Now it reminds me of how bright eyed and innocent I used to be ;-)
    Flag audgirlon June 12, 2012   Link
  • -1
    Song Meaning:Here's another idea on how Narrow Stairs is a concept album.

    Our character has begun to see the flaws in his relationship with Cath, and is desperate to save it. He showers her in gifts, such as a queen size mattress, but she denies them all. She gives the mattress away, feeling like the gift is just too much. The gestures she gives begin to depress out character again, and he slowly begins to see that their marriage was not out of love, but out of loneliness and heartbreak.

    See the next song everyone!
    Flag cgreene32on May 09, 2011   Link
  • 0
    Song Meaning:This is pretty much my life.

    This is about someone who has never known love. Ever. And has given up, after years of trying.

    It is told from the point of view of one of their friends.


    "You used to think that someone would come along
    And lay beside you in a space that they belong"

    This was the clue that this person has NEVER known love. They used to think that there was someone out there for them, but they gave up.


    "What's the point of holding on to what never gets used?
    Other than a sick desire for self-abuse."


    Oh god, this is me, so completely. Self-abuse is so incredibly easy when you get rejected every time you try. I have been rejected way, way too many times to keep track of (30+), and I'm only 16. Once you lose count, it is so easy to blame yourself, for EVERY LITTLE THING.

    My friends tried to help me, but its just so obvious that I hate myself, and how lonely I am.



    "And I try not to worry, but you've got me terrified
    It's like your some kind of hurry
    To say goodbye, say goodbye, say goodbye"

    This is really, really chilling. As this is from the point of view of a friend, the subject of this song is terrified because their lonely friend is "In a hurry to say goodbye," in other words, they are worried their friend is considering killing themselves.

    Speaking from experience, they're right to worry. I spent so many days, so many nights contemplating, and many times a friend kept me from killing myself.


    Moral of the story is: Girls, give that lonely, sad boy a chance. Chances are he's just lonely and sad because all the other girls said no, and otherwise you get walking, talking trainwrecks like me.
    Flag Fishrfineon December 24, 2010   Link
  • -1
    General Comment:a couple has broken up ("a single pillow underneath your single head"), and one is obviously very over it and has moved on while the other is stuck. the one that's moved on has their "new twin-sized bed", and doesn't have anything to do with the other ("that old queen was more space than you would need") . but the one who hasn't moved on is hurt that their ex is able to just go on. "it's like you're in such a big hurry to say goodbye."
    Flag violask81976on November 03, 2010   Link
  • 0
    My Interpretation:"And I try not to worry, but you've got me terrified
    It's like your some kind of hurry
    To say goodbye, say goodbye, say goodbye
    (afraid this decision represents something else, a cry for help of suicide or something- saying goodbye to their dreams)"

    I'm so glad you said that, vocopinion! I was looking through the comments on this song just to see if anyone else would think of that. Those lines make me think that he's worried about her committing suicide, because she's displaying one of the warning signs of suicide, which is giving away your possessions. And she's not only letting go of something material, but she's letting go of her dreams, too, which is even harder to do.
    Flag theskyisprettyon June 02, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:About loneliness. Great song.
    Flag xmakesherflyxon April 03, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:You look so defeated lying there in your new twin size bed
    With a single pillow underneath your single head
    (single meaning one pillow and a lonely person)
    I guess you decided that that old queen was more space than you would need
    (giving up on looking, waiting for love)
    Now it's in the alley behind your apartment with a sign that says it's free
    (not just giving up, but giving away completely their hope. Not wanting to deal with it another minute, trying to sell it.)

    And I hope you have more luck with this than me
    (hopes they'll be alright, after admitting defeat. Getting stronger instead of falling lower.)

    You used to think that someone would come along
    And lay beside you in a space that they belong
    But the other side of the mattress and box springs stayed like new
    What's the point of holding on to what never gets used?
    (Never had anyone to be there for them, so the hope dribbled away.)
    Other than a sick desire for self-abuse
    (A constant reminder of what they'll never have)

    And I try not to worry, but you've got me terrified
    It's like your some kind of hurry
    To say goodbye, say goodbye, say goodbye
    (afraid this decision represents something else, a cry for help of suicide or something- saying goodbye to their dreams)

    You look so defeated lying there in your new twin size bed
    You look so defeated lying there in your new twin size bed
    (they've surrendered.)
    Flag vocopinionon September 20, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:i like this song but someone else pointed it out and i agree that ben's lyrics are dumbing down. i guess it was probably the record label wanting more people to be able to relate. including stupid people. just sucks his old shit sometimes took a long time to figure out.
    Flag fisheatsteelon May 23, 2009   Link

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