Collide by Howie Day

Album: Stop All the World Now (2003)

Charted: 20

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They say that opposites attract. That's the case in this song: the guy seems to be falling in love with a girl whose personality is opposite of his.

Howie Day wrote the song with Better Than Ezra frontman Kevin Griffin, who told us the meaning behind it: "That song lyrically is about people who come together despite being different, and this song, 'Collide,' is about a person who is kind of closed off and insular and not a gregarious person, coming together with someone who is. And that despite being two different types of people, you still come together and find a common ground. And then literally colliding into one another and how life has a way of doing that." (Here's our full Kevin Griffin interview.)
A big influence on this song is Bruce Springsteen's 1995 track "Secret Garden," which is about a woman who keeps a part of herself hidden, much like the closed-off character in this song. There are also some musical similarities. "You can hear that descending chord progression and that high G that sustains over the chord changes," Kevin Griffin told us.
Kevin Griffin had the title for this song long before he hashed it out with Day. "I just loved the way 'collide' sounds when you say it and you sing it, so I knew it was a great title," he told us. "Sometimes a great title can also be troublesome, because you've got to make the music and the melody live up to the great title. This was an instance of that, where I could not come up with a song that was as good as the title. I did a rock song and then something else that I can't remember exactly what it was. Then I was writing with Howie and I started playing this kind of descending chord progression, the one from the 'Collide' we all know. I had most of the chorus melody, that main, 'Even the best fall down sometimes.' Howie heard that and was like, 'Oh, hell yes, I'm in.'"
Shortly after singing the line, "Even the wrong words seem to rhyme," Day sings,

I somehow find
You and I collide

Notice that "find" and "collide" don't really rhyme, but then again, sometimes the wrong words seem to rhyme.
This is the only Hot 100 entry for Howie Day. Born and raised in Bangor, Maine, he grew a fan base in New England and released an independent album called Australia in 2000. Signed to Epic, he released Stop All the World Now, which contained "Collide" as well as "Perfect Time of Day" and "She Says," which each got modest airplay on adult contemporary radio. He released one more album on Epic before once again going the independent route in 2011 with an EP called Ceasefire.

Comments: 15

Jennie from NcLove love this song and can’t believe it only made it to #20!? Downloaded into my song list and listen to it all the time.
Elcidofzen from Austin, TxThis song triggered my first Kensho. It became a song about self and ego, instead of two separate people.
Lashan from TulsaI love how this song talks about two people coming together
Lisa from Harrisburg, Nethis song means speaks so true for this man I once knew. we were never together, but we both agreed we were "complete opposites that were entirely too alike" even though we haven't seen each other in seven and half years, and haven't spoken in almost 3, i will always love him...this song reminds me that although life may take us down different paths, and different loves...that there's still that one person who truly completes you. and eventually, some day, in some way, we'll find each other again.
Quatro from Valparaiso, InThis song is about two people whose lives are opposite/different, but found each other because they share the same thoughts, likes and has common interest. The girls is falling inlove with the guy and the guy also has feelings for this girl but the guy is reluctant to tell her that he loves her because he wants to protect her from the world of judgement. He cares about her and that is why his silence is his power that protects her and so she won't get hurt by the world that judge. But it doesn't matter love is stronger.
Hope from Naperville, IlAww, I love this song. Love it. Not only because it was the song that played during my first slow dance and during a dance with the sweetest boy, but it's like the theme song to my camp.
No dance at Shaw is complete without it and when I listen to this song late at night I cry remembering all the good times I can connect to this song.
"I worry I won't see your face, light up again."
Ln from :), Qc'I find Im scared to know im always on your mind..'

I ♥ love this line :)
Anna Begins from Johannesburg, South AfricaThis song is strangely representative of a relationship that exists in my own life! I see it as a guy and girl who've always known each other, but never managed to get to a point where they can actually admit their love. When it does finally happen, it's this incredible moment, with the dawn breaking...etc. Of course there is the history between them, how different they are, the doubts they have, etc. And, there is the fear when they finally are together, that he has of always being on her mind. I believe this song is up there with the perfect songs representing one way in which real love manages to manifest itself - especially when you do eventually get to the point when you finally manage to collide with The One. Should things work out with that significant other in my life that this song denotes, this will be the song to which we open the dance floor at our wedding!
Victoria from Compton, CaThe first time i heard this song was on the show, "One Tree Hill". I watched 1 episode from the show because Chad Micheal murray was in it. And the only reason why i have a crush on him because his in my favortie movie, "A Cinderella Story". So when i heard this song i was like who sings this? That was 3 years ago... now this song is my ringtone everytime someone texts me. Half of my friends knows the words to it. that explains how many times people text me. But anyways, i freakin love this song!!!
Michelle from Scranton, PaI thought-and kind of do still think-that this song is about a guy and a girl who love each other but can't seem to work out their relationship...that's why he says 'you finally find, you and i collide'. Throughout the entire song he says 'you' referring to the girl.
Priscilla from Taft, Cai really thought it was about a relationship where they are having problem and that they never expected.
:D
well i guess not
Amy from Portland, Meactually, howie day is from bangor maine and NOT new zealand.
Shanise from Slough, EnglandThis song is so beautiful. It is the perfect song for Lindsay and Danny in CSI:NY!!! I hope they DO get together though...xxx
Matt from Ny, NyLove this song.Really beautiful lyrics and music.
Jess from Melbourne, AustraliaThis song tells a story of a guy who he likes but she does like him. He is upset and has only just realised that she doesn't. He has been seeing/feeling things that aren't real e.g "I wont see your face light up again".