Some of Us

Song Meaning

The lyrics paint a picture of someone observing a loved one, perhaps a partner or child, who is deeply asleep and troubled by past events. The narrator expresses a desire to protect this person, offering themselves as a constant presence, a "kid / For your soul to keep." This plea is immediately followed by a stark acknowledgment of human imperfection and coping mechanisms: "Some of us laugh, some us cry / Some of us smoke, some of us lie." The narrator recognizes these behaviors not as inherent flaws but as survival tactics for navigating life's difficulties. The central tension arises from the narrator's own internal struggles, particularly a deep-seated mistrust. They describe their faults as overwhelming "waves" that somehow erode or "turn into rust" the positive qualities of the person they are addressing. This self-awareness creates a poignant contrast between their desire to protect and their fear of their own destructive tendencies, suggesting an internal conflict that might jeopardize the very connection they cherish. The repeated refrain, "But it's all just a way / That we cope with our lives," acts as a grounding force, normalizing the flawed behaviors presented. This repetition emphasizes the shared human experience of struggling and finding ways to endure. Later, the lyrics shift dramatically with the lines "She's losing control / She's coming down fast / The heart that I stole / I'm not giving back." This suggests a darker turn, perhaps a possessiveness or a realization that the narrator has taken something precious and irreversible from the other person, a stark departure from the earlier protective impulse.