Being Boring [7" Edit]

Song Meaning

The lyrics paint a picture of a life lived with a deliberate intensity, a conscious effort to avoid the mundane. It begins with a nostalgic look back at youthful invitations, quoting a writer from the 1920s who declared, "We were never feeling bored." This sets the stage for a recurring theme: a rejection of boredom through active engagement with life, whether it's through dressing up, fighting, or making amends. The narrator seems to be reflecting on a past where time felt abundant and the future was not a source of anxiety. The narrative then shifts through different decades, each marked by a distinct experience and a sense of embarking on a new path. The 1970s find the narrator leaving with "trepidation," warned of ending up with "nothing left." Yet, this fear is overcome by a proactive spirit, "bolted through a closing door," and a confidence that boredom would be avoided. This reinforces the idea that the pursuit of an un-boring life is a driving force, fueled by self-discovery and perhaps a touch of recklessness. The most striking aspect is the contrast between the past's perceived invincibility and the present's poignant awareness of loss. The 1990s bring a reflection on relationships, noting that "some are here and some are missing." This introduces a melancholic undertone to the otherwise vibrant narrative. The dream of a companion, "you'd be sitting somewhere here with me," is juxtaposed with the reality of absence, suggesting that while the life itself may not have been boring, the cost of living it so fully can include profound personal voids. Ultimately, the lyrics suggest that a life "never being boring" is achieved through a constant push against limitations and a willingness to embrace experiences, even with their inherent risks and emotional consequences. The repeated refrain, "We were never being boring / We were never being bored," acts as both a defiant declaration and a wistful echo. It highlights a life lived at full volume, where the fear of missing out on life's richness outweighed the fear of time running out or the pain of eventual loss.