Jimmy Eat World - The Middle Lyrics Meaning
I agree with most of the other comments for the most part on the reason for the band writing and singing this song. (After all, they wrote the song after losing a publishing contract...which won them 2 others!)
When looking deeper into the song, lyric by lyric however you can get the greater meaning, that this song is quite literally about puberty...or at least just growing up.
"Hey,
Don't write yourself yet it's only
in your head you feel left out
or looked down on..."
-After hearing this I get the image of a child struggling to find the clique that (s)he belongs to.
"Just try your best, try everything you can
Don't you worry what they tell themselves
When you're away..."
-Give it a shot! Even when you know that people are going to think you suck or are going to talk behind your back. You might be new in the world or behind them for now but it doesn't matter as long as you try.
"It just takes some time,
Little girl you're in the middle of the ride
Everything, everything will be just fine
Everything, everything will be alright."
-You're in the middle of the ride, it's life! We all go through this and one day it will be over. Everything will be just fine. The reference to a little girl suggests the teenage years or puberty as a whole: change in the body, peer pressure, self/other esteem, popularity, etc...
"Hey, you know they're all the same,
You know you're doing better on your own,
So don't buy in..."
-Sure the popular kids are out there doing the same thing, usually playing follow the leader and king of the hill all at the same time. They may dress the same and listen to the same music but what is the point in that when you know what you like and you are better at doing what you like?
"Live right now, yeah just be yourself
It doesn't matter if it's good enough
For someone else."
-Just enjoy yourself as you not as the class queen. Who cares if it's good enough for your critics or the people who are there solely to stab your back? People will come to you when you shine and you will shine as you, not them.
*Chorus is the same
-Sweet guitar solo to me suggests that the band is saying hey, we can do what you do too! It's a bit long and based on the change in the third verse from the first verse suggests that it takes time but enjoy the time while you are at it.
"Hey, don't write yourself off yet,
it's only in your head you feel left out,
Or looked down on,
Just do your best, do everything you can,
And don't you worry what the bitter hearts
Are gonna say."
-Now you are doing, they see you now! You are on top and now they are bitter, jealous of you.
PS. I love playing this song on RB2. I'm not the greatest at that game...Come to think of it I'm terrible but what does it matter if I have fun when I play it, isn't that the meaning of this song!?
