Death Cab for Cutie – 405

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Send "405" Ringtone to Cell

I took the 405 and drilled a stake down into your center,
And stated that it's never ever been better than this.
I hung my favorite shirt on the floorboard, wrinkled up from pulling, pushing, and tasting, tasting...

You keep twisting the truth
That keeps me thrown askew.

Misguided by the 405 'cause it lead me to an alcoholic summer.
I missed the exit to you parents' house hours ago.
Red wine and the cigarettes: hide your bad habits underneath the patio, patio.

You keep twisting the truth
That keeps me thrown askew.

You keep twisting the truth
That keeps me thrown askew.

Send "405" Ringtone to Cell


Lyrics submitted by jephque

Track duration: 03:37

"405" as written by Benjamin Gibbard

Lyrics © EMI Music Publishing

Lyrics powered by LyricFind


405 song meanings
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  • 0
    General Comment:405 is a major highway in western washington. It might be a metaphor but he's most likely referring to a major interstate that he would know from his home state. You know, "missed the exit" that sort of thing.
    Flag chanhattanon July 31, 2012   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:After re-listening, I think I might have changed my mind; I think maybe it is about a girl who lead him astray and that 405 is a metaphoric reference to the girl.
    Flag morganlyricaon May 07, 2011   Link
  • +1
    Song Meaning:Such a beautiful song.
    What I get from it is that he's in a relationship, they're middle age and they're way past the first stage of the relationship; it's getting to be older and tiring. I got that from "I missed the turning to your parents' house hours ago" which is something you do in serious relationships (see the partner's parents for lunch etc etc when it's not something you really want to do) and the fact he's missing the turning shows his lack of care, it doesn't matter to him anymore: "it's never ever been better than this"
    Finally I find his driving is therapeutic to him in a way, he can reminisce over his life with his partner and understand how they're not really happy. His driving down the 405, I think, is also metaphoric as I just don't think, generally speaking, he's happy with how things are: "lead me to an alcoholic summer" and is unhappy with his partner's behaviour: "you keep twisting the truth, that throws me askew"

    So, to sum up, I think it's about a tiring, no longer very happy relationship, and the man seeks that relief (in alcohol and the drive etc)
    Flag morganlyricaon April 21, 2011   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:This song sounds awfully similar to Safe to Land by Jars of Clay...what do you think?
    Flag rriley1978on August 15, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:It feels like being in love when you're so unsure of love, of the girl, of where you're going or who you even are.
    Flag xsn13on May 03, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:Yes, definitely a song to play on a drive with the windows down when it is sunny. 'Alcoholic summer' has so many connotations, of drunken dizzy love in the summer heat, of long lazy days full of drinks and friends.

    I don't know what it means. But listening to it makes me feel happy and sad all at once.
    Flag xsn13on May 03, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I first heard the acoustic version while reading a book about the Brooklyn Dodger teams of the late 40's and 50's, so though it does not relate whatsoever to the real meaning of the song, all I can think of every time I hear it is Jackie Robinson, Pee Wee Reese, Roy Campanella and Duke Snider. It's just one of those things where youre mind is conditioned to do something upon hearing or seeing something else. Strange, I know.

    But however, I do agree with the interpretations aforementioned, especially the one by redcedarfever about how the 405 symbolizes thier relationship.

    It's an incredible song, and to those who may not have heard it, I prefer the acoustic version ten times more than the original.

    Flag kch15on March 08, 2010   Link
  • +1
    General Comment:I'm pretty sure it's "Drove a state down", not "drove a stake".
    Flag supersecretson January 24, 2010   Link
  • +1
    General Comment:I think this song is about an intense, passionate relationship but the girl is keeping it a secret from everyone..her parents, her friends..and the guy dosent know why..he loves this girl and she loves him but he feels like an embarassment for her. He is the "Red wine and the cigarettes: hide your bad habits underneath the patio". He is frustrated and confusesd about where the relationship is going.
    "You keep twisting the truth That keeps me thrown askew" She keeps telling him that she will let him into her life but keeps making excuses.
    Flag lifesong117on November 11, 2009   Link
  • 0
    Song Meaning:When I first heard this song I thought of a "405" sailboat. When I hear "drove a stake down into your center" it makes me think of the centerboard being pushed down into the sailboat. And "pulling, pushing, and tasting" makes me think of how he was pulling in the main sheet and tasting the salty water. It is probably wrong, but it's what I imagine when I hear those lyrics especially when he mentions the acoholic summer.
    Flag PaintsMeBlue1016on September 04, 2009   Link

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