Jimmy Eat World

Lyrics

[Verse 1]
Sweep the dirty stairs
The ones I waited on
This is just for me
I felt it watching her

[Chorus]
And it happens too fast
To make sense of it, make it last
It happens too fast
To make sense of it, make it last

[Verse 2]
Where do you intend to go
With your dirty dress?
Lead my skeptic sight
To the table and the light

[Chorus]
It happens too fast
To make sense of it, make it last
It happens too fast
To make sense of it, make it last

[Bridge]
Lead my skeptic sight
Lead my skeptic sight
Not asking of me anything
Saying nothing about what it means
Without anybody telling me
How I should feel
[Outro]
Lead my skeptic sight
To the table and the light

Table for Glasses is a hauntingly beautiful song by American rock band, Jimmy Eat World. Written by lead vocalist Jim Adkins, the song was released in 2002 as part of their third studio album, Bleed American. It has since become a fan favorite and is considered one of their best works to date.

At first listen, one might be perplexed by the lyrics and wonder what the song is about. But as Jim Adkins revealed in an interview, the inspiration for Table for Glasses came from a real-life experience he had at an art show in Phoenix, AZ. It is a powerful and thought-provoking song that encourages listeners to find beauty and meaning on their own.

About Table for Glasses

Table for Glasses is a beautifully crafted song that tells a powerful story. It begins with the line, "you're not alone, sweetheart" and sets the tone for the rest of the song. The lyrics are poignant and evocative, creating a sense of longing and sadness that is palpable. The song is characterized by its gentle melody and Adkins' emotive vocals that convey a range of emotions.

The inspiration for the song came from a real-life experience that Jim Adkins had at a local art show in Phoenix, AZ. He saw a girl cleaning the steps of an outdoor staircase with the bottom of her white dress. Curious about her intentions, he watched as she walked towards a candle-lit table covered in empty glasses, picking up debris from her dress and placing it into the glasses. This event stayed with Adkins and he used it as a basis for the song. He intentionally avoided describing the meaning of the lyrics in interviews, preferring to let listeners make their own interpretation.

The song is characterized by its hauntingly beautiful lyrics that paint a vivid picture of the scene Adkins witnessed. The chorus of the song is particularly powerful, with the line "the world tips forward on its axis" conveying a sense of gravity and feeling of something profound happening. The song is also notable for its use of metaphors, with the empty glasses on the table representing the emptiness and longing experienced by the girl in the song.

One of the most compelling aspects of the song is the way Adkins' voice blends with the instrumentation. The gentle guitar arpeggios lend a melancholic and dream-like quality to the song, creating a sense of atmosphere that draws the listener in. The song builds towards the end, with Adkins' vocals becoming more intense, culminating in a powerful crescendo that leaves a lasting impression.

Table for Glasses is a testament to the power of music to convey emotion and tell a story. It is a hauntingly beautiful song that stays with you long after you've heard it. It is an example of Jimmy Eat World at their best, crafting songs that speak to the human experience and leave an emotional impact on the listener.

In Closing

Table for Glasses is a beautiful and poignant song that tells a powerful story. It is a testament to the power of music to convey emotion and create meaning. As Jim Adkins intended, the meaning of the song is left open to interpretation, allowing each listener to create their own meaning. It is a reminder that beauty and meaning can be found in the most unexpected of places.

• Release Date: February 23, 1999
• Artist: Jimmy Eat World