The Background

Album: Third Eye Blind (1997)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Third Eye Blind lead singer Stephan Jenkins said of this song: "Have you ever felt like your life was in high gear, and you were right in the moment, and you were happy, and rolling into some glorious unknown future? And then have that all taken away? And then lived in sort of the post-period of that high? That's what it's like to live in the background." >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Jeremy - Lowell, MA

Comments: 10

  • Cate from Maineto austin who commented, i also thought it was about an abortion or miscarriage that resulted in them not being together anymore. i just went through that exact scenario so this song hits me so hard every time
  • Austin from AustinI always thought it was about a relationship that ended with an abortion and now there’s only regret left at what could’ve been.
  • Look2the5ky from FloridaIt's about a partner who's now in a coma; she can hear him in the background but she's no longer there.
  • Breeauna from Amarillo TxWhen I listen to this song I think about my mom, I know she's here, but most of the time it really isn't her she's just sitting there high. This song is the best by far.
  • Rb from IndianaTo me, the song comes down to hearing the line "All my plans still have you in them." I was dating a girl and realized she had made her way into all of my plans and just maybe she might be the one. We've been married 22 years tomorrow!
  • Patrick from Overland Park, KsBest Third Eye Blind song
  • Lydia from New York City, Nyhe wrote this song about his girlfriend who was in a mental hospital
  • Joey from Cleveland, GaUm thats one way of looking at it Suii. There's a very extensive forum discussion about the meaning of this song at thevillagechurchyard.uk. Very great sight for Third Eye Blind fans.
  • Amber from San Francisco, CaI love this song. It's always been my favorite by Third Eye Blind. Somehow, it helped me get through a bad breakup a few years back. Very sad song.
  • Suii from Holtville, CaIm still confuzed...
    is it about sumone who died?
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Al Kooper

Al KooperSongwriter Interviews

Kooper produced Lynyrd Skynyrd, played with Dylan and the Stones, and formed BS&T.

Penny Ford of Snap!

Penny Ford of Snap!Songwriter Interviews

The original voice of Snap! this story is filled with angry drag queens, video impersonators and Chaka Khan.

Dan Reed

Dan ReedSongwriter Interviews

Dan cracked the Top 40 with "Ritual," then went to India and spent 2 hours with the Dalai Lama.

Petula Clark

Petula ClarkSongwriter Interviews

Petula talks about her hits "Downtown" and "Don't Sleep In The Subway," and explains her Michael Jackson connection.

Chris Robinson of The Black Crowes

Chris Robinson of The Black CrowesSongwriter Interviews

"Great songwriters don't necessarily have hit songs," says Chris. He's written a bunch, but his fans are more interested in the intricate jams.

George Harrison

George HarrisonFact or Fiction

Did Eric Clapton really steal George's wife? What's the George Harrison-Monty Python connection? Set the record straight with our Fact or Fiction quiz.