You were almost kind,
You were almost true,
Don't let me see
That other side of you

You have learned in time
That you must be cruel,
I'll have to wait
To get the best of you

Poison in everything you say
Don't you, don't you
Wonder what difference does it make
Either way

You were almost kind,
You were almost true,
But give away that other side of you

Happens every time
So it must be true
Step on a kid
He'll grow up hating you

Poison in everything you say
Don't you, don't you
Wonder what difference does it make
Either way

Were you ever kind?
Were you always cruel?
Who's ever seen
That other side of you?

Happened every time,
So it must be true
Where did you learn
It's either him or you

You were almost kind,
You were almost true,
Don't let me see
That other side of you

You have learned in time
That you must be cruel,
I'll have to wait
To get the best of you

Poison in everything you say
Don't you, don't you
Wonder what difference does it make
Either way



Lyrics submitted by wherewulf

Track duration: 04:42

"Either Way" as written by Ryan Miller, Adam S. Gardner, Brian A. Rosenworcel

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

Lyrics powered by LyricFind


Either Way song meanings
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38 Comments

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  • 0
    My Interpretation:This song is as basic as it is complex. The song, to me, speaks for all people. It explains how two faced we can, and will be. We grow up being naive and full of joy in life. But as time goes on we learn the cruelty of the world. We hold on to that sense of compassion and inalienable love, but in most cases we have to silence it to cater to the reality of a situation. We don't want to be the little kid we started out as due to obscure pressure, even though in our heart of heart's we never lose it.

    In this song, the singer is begging the person to be real and honest above all else. "Don't let me see, That other side of you".


    The "Either way" line shows how inside ourselves we choose to belittle the choice between our "child" self and "product of society" self. This gives us a false self of confidence in our decision. It is as if, since being a child, we are told to be cruel.
    Flag guster=lifeon April 13, 2013   Link
  • -1
    General Comment:i also love the musical interlude in the middle...it helps to provoke memories and emotions during the song.
    Flag rainbowsareniceon September 17, 2011   Link
  • -1
    My Interpretation:well since i heard this song on a lily/James forum...i think it means that though the person you like has such a horrible personality,you still love them unconditionally and are waiting for them to show the better side of them. also i think that though their cruelty may be directed at you,either way you still like them regardless of that.
    Flag rainbowsareniceon September 17, 2011   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I agree with the being so nice to people but their not nice to you thing, but the line "where did you learn 'it's either him or you'" throws me off. I doubt it's a song about break-ups and the line kinda pushes me toward thinking that...
    Flag oddone68011on March 03, 2011   Link
  • -1
    Song Meaning:i think its about a girl that hes trying to start a relationship with her, but shes been hurt so many times in relationships that shes cautious and covers everything up even though deep down she likes him and if she would break down her walls she could pretty much be awesome i guess(with lack of a better way to say it) but she ended things cuz she couldnt trust him even though they were so close to "breaking the walls" and turning it into something.
    Flag imabearcaton October 11, 2010   Link
  • -1
    General Comment:well it just seems like its a song about someone whose really loysl to a friend but the person just keeps stepping all over him


    or someone who just founnd out thier lover is an ass
    Flag blahblahwhocareson July 29, 2008   Link
  • -1
    General Comment:One way or the other way? Oh well
    Flag Briadelicon February 28, 2007   Link
  • +1
    General Comment:You guys have picked at what I think it means but its not really complete. This song has special significance, coming from a family in which my father was abusive. "Step on a kid, he'll grow up hating you" is significant in that my father was abusive when we were children. We grew up and he tried vainly to repair the bonds he had broken. We, my siblings and I, grew up hating him and because of it he his relationships with us is
    now twisted. My father "learned in time that he must be cruel" to get what he wanted from us, though it put "poison in everything" he said. Nothing he has ever said has meant anything because of who he once was. "Where did you learn, its either him or you?" He used physical abuse to get what he wanted, pitting my siblings against him. This was a quality my mother never saw in him before marrying him, he was "almost kind, he was almost true" I see this song through the eyes of my brother, and every time I listen to it I remember him being thrown down a flight of stairs by my father. "I'll have to wait to get the best of you." We looked on in spite, waiting till the chance to strike back. This song describes child abuse and the feeling that arise from it perfectly.
    Flag grover8meon February 11, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:Having grown up in an abusive home, the line, "Step on a kid, he'll grow up hating you", was like an arrow shot straight to my heart the first time I heard this song.

    it's the anthem of my father. He would lose his temper, lose his self-control, and the next morning he would wonder why his children shudder in his presence.
    Flag Diana207on November 05, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:this song reminds me of some tarzan type phil collins shit. guster is cool, though. i'm seeing them in cincinnatti on saturday. should be great.
    Flag lonely16on April 07, 2006   Link

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