When We Were Very Young

Song Meaning

The lyrics immediately plunge into a state of profound anxiety and regret, where the speaker wishes for blindness to escape a daunting future. This internal turmoil is palpable, contrasting a desire for peace with an overwhelming sense of dread. The opening lines, "I sometimes wish that I was blind / To all the future that we left behind," set a tone of deep unease. The core tension lies between the speaker's intense mental suffering—described as walking on "shaky ground" and having a "head was locked in pain"—and a desperate yearning for simple contentment. The repeated wish for peace with "football scores" and "daily chores" highlights this struggle against a deeper, almost existential "worship of the sublime." This contrast suggests a mind grappling with profound issues while longing for mundane distractions. The bridge provides a crucial pivot, contrasting a past "When we were very young" filled with "selfish fun" and trivial concerns, with a present burdened by "kids and dystopia." This stark juxtaposition explains the current overwhelm, showing how youthful innocence has given way to adult responsibilities and a broader societal dread. The shift from caring about "selfish words" to the weight of the world is a powerful one. What makes these lyrics so effective is their unflinching portrayal of mental anguish, anchored by specific, visceral imagery. The brief, tender moment of "sending you love with every tired breath" offers a poignant counterpoint to the pervasive dread, suggesting that human connection remains a vital, if fragile, anchor amidst overwhelming personal and societal anxieties. The repeated desire to "walk away from my scars and sores" ultimately underscores a universal longing for healing and release.