The Calendar Hung Itself Lyrics: A Comprehensive Guide

Introduction

If you’re a fan of emo or indie rock, chances are you’ve heard of the song “The Calendar Hung Itself” by Bright Eyes. This hauntingly beautiful track has captivated audiences since its release in 2000, and its lyrics have left many listeners wondering about their meaning. In this article, we’ll take a deep dive into the lyrics of “The Calendar Hung Itself” and explore their significance.

The Lyrics

Before we begin dissecting the lyrics, let’s take a look at them in their entirety:

“Does he kiss your eyelids in the morning when you start to raise your head?
And does he sing to you incessantly from the space between your bed and wall?
Does he walk around all day at school with his feet inside your shoes?
Looking down every few steps to pretend he walks with you
Does he know that place below your neck that’s your favorite to be touched?
And does he cry through broken sentences like “I love you far too much”
Does he sit inside your empty room and sing your favorite songs?
Does he let you know he loves you more than anything else in the world?
Someday will you see that love this close to me is worth everything you’ve ever been afraid of?
Is it safe to say that your love will never change?”

The Analysis

At first glance, the lyrics of “The Calendar Hung Itself” seem to describe a romantic relationship between two people. However, upon closer inspection, it becomes clear that the song is actually about the narrator’s unrequited love for someone who is already in a relationship.

The first verse sets the scene by asking if the person’s current partner kisses their eyelids in the morning and sings to them from the space between the bed and wall. These intimate gestures are things that the narrator wishes they could do for the person they love.

The second verse continues the theme of the narrator’s jealousy by asking if the person’s partner walks around in their shoes and looks down every few steps to pretend they’re walking with them. This verse also hints at the idea that the person’s partner may not truly understand or appreciate them, as they don’t know the spot on their body that’s their favorite to be touched.

The third verse is perhaps the most heartbreaking, as it describes the person’s partner crying through broken sentences while proclaiming their love. The narrator longs to be the one who can make them feel this way.

The fourth verse takes a turn as the narrator describes the person’s partner sitting in their empty room and singing their favorite songs. This verse is perhaps the most poignant, as it illustrates the idea that the person’s partner is able to be happy and fulfilled without them, while the narrator is left alone and longing.

The fifth verse is the most hopeful, as the narrator asks if the person will one day realize that their love for the narrator is worth everything they’ve ever been afraid of. However, this hope is tempered by the final line of the song, which asks if it’s safe to say that the person’s love will never change.

Q&A

What is the meaning of “The Calendar Hung Itself”?

The meaning of the song is open to interpretation, but many fans believe that it’s about unrequited love and the pain that comes with it. The lyrics describe a narrator who is in love with someone who is already in a relationship, and who longs for the person to realize that their love is worth taking a chance on.

Who is the song about?

The identity of the person the song is about is unknown. However, many fans speculate that it may be about Bright Eyes frontman Conor Oberst’s own unrequited love for someone.

What is the significance of the title?

The title of the song is a metaphor for the passage of time and the pain that can come with it. The image of a calendar hanging itself implies that time is something that can be both oppressive and suffocating.

What is the overall message of the song?

The overall message of “The Calendar Hung Itself” is one of longing and heartbreak. The lyrics describe the pain of unrequited love and the hope that comes with the possibility of that love being reciprocated.

Why is this song so popular?

This song is popular for a variety of reasons, including its hauntingly beautiful melody and its relatable lyrics. Many people have experienced the pain of unrequited love, and “The Calendar Hung Itself” speaks to that pain in a way that is both poetic and emotionally resonant.

Conclusion

“The Calendar Hung Itself” is a song that has stood the test of time and continues to captivate audiences with its poignant lyrics and haunting melody. While the meaning of the song is open to interpretation, it’s clear that it speaks to the pain of unrequited love and the hope that comes with the possibility of that love being reciprocated.

Whether you’re a longtime fan of Bright Eyes or you’re just discovering the band for the first time, “The Calendar Hung Itself” is a song that is sure to leave a lasting impression.