Stop and Stare
OneRepublic䰀 Lyrics

This town is colder now, I think it's sick of us
The town feels inhospitable and unwelcoming, and it seems like it has had enough of the singer's presence.

It's time to make our move, I'm shakin' off the rust
The singer believes that it's time to leave this place and start anew, and they feel that they need to overcome their complacency and hesitation to do so.

I've got my heart set on anywhere but here
The singer desires a change of scenery and craves to be somewhere else.

I'm staring down myself, counting up the years
The artist introspects and assesses their own life, and evaluates how much time has gone by and what they have achieved so far.

Steady hands just take the wheel
The artist urges themselves to take control and be confident.

Every glance is killing me
The singer feels anxious and burdened by the pressures of others' expectations and opinions.

Time to make one last appeal
The singer acknowledges that this is their final chance to make a significant change and plead for what they want.

For the life I live
The artist wants to fight for the kind of life they want to lead.

Stop and stare
The artist wants to pause and reflect on their life, and take a moment to reassess everything.

I think I'm moving but I go nowhere
The artist feels like they are progressing and evolving, but in reality, they are still stuck in the same place, both physically and mentally.

Yeah, I know that everyone gets scared
The singer acknowledges that everyone feels vulnerable and frightened at some point in their life.

But I've become what I can't be, oh
The artist realizes that they have become someone they do not recognize or like, and they want to change that.

You start to wonder why you're here not there
The singer invites the listener to also ponder on their own life and question why they are in their current situation.

And you'd give anything to get what's fair
The singer knows that the listener wishes to get what they deserve and to be rewarded fairly for their efforts.

But fair ain't what you really need
The singer argues that fairness might not be the solution, and that there could be other things that the listener truly needs to achieve happiness and success.

Oh, can you see what I see'
The artist asks the listener to empathize and relate to their own experiences and feelings.

They're tryin' to come back, all my senses push
The artist feels that their old habits and patterns are trying to resurface, but they resist it and fight against it.

Untie the weight bags, I never thought I could
The singer releases their emotional baggage and burdens that have been holding them back, and they are surprised that they are capable of such a feat.

Steady feet, don't fail me now
The singer urges themselves to stay grounded and committed to their goal.

I'm gonna run till you can't walk
The artist is determined to push themselves to the limit and exhaust all their resources in pursuit of their dream.

Something pulls my focus out
The artist is easily distracted and feels that there are other things and people vying for their attention.

And I'm standing down
The artist gives up and surrenders to their distractions and temptations, even though they know it could lead them astray.

I've become what I can't be
The singer has become a version of themselves that they never intended or wanted to become.

Oh, do you see what I see?
The artist asks the listener if they can relate to their own struggles and if they see the same hardships in their own life.