Cover art for Standing Still by Jewel

Standing Still

Jewel
Track 1 on This Way 

Producers

Oct. 2, 20011 viewer25.5K views

Standing Still Lyrics

[Verse 1]
Cutting through the darkest night are my two headlights
Trying to keep it clear, but I'm losing it here to the twilight
There's a dead end to my left, there's a burning bush to my right
You aren't in sight
You aren't in sight

[Pre-Chorus]
Do you want me
Like I want you?

[Chorus]
Or am I standing still
Beneath a darkened sky?
Or am I standing still
With the scenery flying by?
Or am I standing still?
Out of the corner of my eye
Was that you passing me by?

[Verse 2]
Mothers on the stoop, boys in souped-up coupes on this hot summer night
Between fight and flight, is the blind man's sight and a choice that's right
I roll the window down, feel like I'm gonna drown in this strange town
Feel broken down, ah
I feel broken down
[Pre-Chorus]
Do you need me
Like I need you?

[Chorus]
Or am I standing still
Beneath a darkened sky?
Or am I standing still
With the scenery flying by?
Or am I standing still?
Out of the corner of my eye
Was that you passing me by?

[Bridge]
Sweet sorrow—he said, "Call tomorrow"
Sweet sorrow—he said, "Call tomorrow"

[Pre-Chorus]
Do you love me
Like I love you?

[Chorus]
Or am I standing still
Beneath a darkened sky?
Or am I standing still
With the scenery flying by?
Or am I standing still?
Out of the corner of my eye
Was that you passing me by?
[Outro]
Are you passing me by?
Passing me by
(Do you want me?)
Passing me by
Do you need me like I need you too?
(Passing me by)
Do you want me like I want you
(Passing me by)
Or are you passing me by?
Or am I standing still?

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Q&A

Find answers to frequently asked questions about the song and explore its deeper meaning

What did Jewel say about "Standing Still"?
Genius Answer

I wrote it about the supposed irony of how much I move and travel and how I’m in constant motion and how that constant motion can make your love life stand still, and also really your emotional life. I think you see a lot of people in my job where their fame outgrows their emotional ability to cope with fame. It also can outpace your creative ability to keep up with fame. A lot of people lose their artistry, and it’s really very difficult not to. The song is about not standing still within your life, making sure you continue to grow and mature as an artist and a person.

–via RollingStone (2002)

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