Album: Third Eye Blind (1997)

License This Song 

• Everything is quiet, Since you're not around,
  And I live in the numbness now.
  In the background.
  I do the things we did before,
  I walk Haight Street to the store,
  And they say where's that crazy girl?
  
  You don't get drunk on red wine, and fight no more,
  'Cause I don't see you anymore,
  Since the hospital,
  But the plans I make still have you in them,
  Then you come swimming into view,
  And I'm hanging on your words like I always used to do,
  The words they use so lightly, I only feel for you,
  I only know this because I carry you around,
  In the background.
  
  Words they come and memories all repeat,
  I lift your head while,
  They change the hospital sheets,
  I would never lie to you, No
  I would never lie to you, No
  I felt you long after we were through.
  And the plans I make still have you in them,
  Cause you come swimming into view,
  And I'm hanging on your words like I always used to do,
  The words they use so lightly, I only feel for you,
  I only know this because I carry you around,
  In the background. Writer/s: ARION SALAZAR, KEVIN CADOGAN, STEPHAN JENKINS
  Publisher: BMG Rights Management, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
  Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 11

• Itsthesjite1 from Wahington"Let me put it this way: 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." -Stephan Jenkins from 3EB
• 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?

More Songfacts:

Call Me MaybeCarly Rae Jepsen

"Call Me Maybe" by Carly Rae Jepsen was the song of the summer in 2012 and a major meme. It got some help from her fellow Canadian Justin Bieber, who tweeted that it was "possibly the catchiest song I've ever heard."

That'll Be The DayBuddy Holly

Buddy Holly got the title for his hit song "That'll Be The Day" from a phrase John Wayne repeats in the 1956 movie The Searchers.

99 LuftballonsNena

"99 Luftballons" by Nena is about a Cold War scare when balloons showed up on radar and were mistaken as a nuclear threat.

The Way We WereBarbra Streisand

"The Way We Were" was the first of five #1 singles by Barbra Streisand. She is the only artist ever to receive an Oscar, Tony, Emmy and Grammy, and also record a #1 single and album.

PillowtalkZayn

Zayn's "Pillowtalk" reached #1 on the Hot 100, something his former One Direction bandmates never achieved.

Wild ThingTone-Loc

Tone-Loc's "Wild Thing" samples Eddie Van Halen's guitar riff from "Jaime's Cryin'."

Editor's Picks

Frankie ValliSong Writing

An interview with Frankie Valli, who talks about why his songs - both solo and with The Four Seasons - have endured, and reflects on his time as Rusty Millio on The Sopranos.

Rickie Lee JonesSongwriter Interviews

Rickie Lee Jones on songwriting, social media, and how she's handling Trump.

Soul Train Stories with Stephen McMillianSong Writing

A Soul Train dancer takes us through a day on the show, and explains what you had to do to get camera time.

Verdine White of Earth, Wind & FireSongwriter Interviews

The longtime bassist of Earth, Wind & Fire discusses how his band came to do a holiday album, and offers insight into some of the greatest dance/soul tunes of all-time.

Jackie DeShannon - "Put a Little Love in Your Heart"They're Playing My Song

It wasn't her biggest hit as a songwriter (that would be "Bette Davis Eyes"), but "Put a Little Love in Your Heart" had a family connection for Jackie.

Narada Michael Walden - "Freeway of Love"They're Playing My Song

As a songwriter and producer, Narada had hits with Aretha Franklin, Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey and Starship. But what song does he feel had the greatest impact on his career?