Late Start

Song Meaning

The narrator is wrestling with a feeling of being behind, even while acknowledging moments of joy and connection. The opening lines paint a picture of restless dissatisfaction, driving around and actively seeking reasons to feel down. Yet, this mood is immediately contrasted with a desire for companionship, a plea for someone to "make my day" and alleviate the ennui. This sets up a core tension between internal struggle and the outward yearning for external validation or simple comfort. The lyrics highlight a conflict between perceived progress and actual feelings of stagnation. While friends like Luca are "touring the country" and Lizzy "just got rich," the narrator feels adrift, admitting, "I swear I'm behind." This sense of being out of sync with peers fuels the anxiety, especially as the narrator notes, "these things never rhyme," suggesting life's unpredictable, non-linear progression doesn't fit neat expectations. The chorus offers a counter-narrative, reframing the idea of a "late start." The narrator reassures someone (or perhaps themselves) that "the best part's only around the corner." Vivid, nostalgic images like "shotgun, drinking our capri suns" and "kissing your big love" are presented as future cherished memories, grounding the present in a hopeful anticipation of what's to come. This contrasts sharply with the chaotic, almost frantic daily emotional swings described in Verse 3, where "Monday's a bitch" and "Wednesday I could die" before a Friday "I love my life." Ultimately, the effectiveness of these lyrics lies in their raw honesty about feeling inadequate while simultaneously holding onto a hopeful, if slightly defiant, outlook. The repeated phrase "sue me, I got a late start" carries a weight of self-acceptance, acknowledging the perceived delay but asserting that the best is yet to unfold. The writing captures that specific, relatable feeling of looking at others' apparent successes and feeling a pang of envy, all while trying to believe in one's own unfolding story.