Stars Go Dim - Like I Mean It Lyrics
Lyrics
How do I learn to fly
When I'm down on my knees
How do I learn to love
When I'm begging you please
I spend most of my life
Trying just to get by
I spend most of that time on losing you
Now I gave you reasons
Disregarded feelings
Convinced myself that it's all true
How do I learn to fly
When I'm down on my knees
How do I learn to love
When I'm begging you please
How many moments pass me by
How many times have I said I won't try
To live my life and love like I mean it
How many days will slip away
How much pain does it take to see it
To live my life and love like I mean it
I keep all my secrets
Hid away down inside
I keep telling myself lie after lie
Now I played the part
Of a man with many hearts
But none of them ever meant to hurt you
How many moments pass me by
How many times have I said I won't try
To live my life and love like I mean it
How many days will slip away
How much pain does it take to see it
To live my life and love like I mean it
I'm gonna love
Like I never ever loved before
I'm gonna live
Like I only had one last wish
I'm gonna be everything you ever wanted
Everything you need
How do I learn to fly
Get me back on my feet
Don't give up on me
I'm begging you please
How many moments pass me by
How many times have I said I won't try
To live my life and love like I mean it
How many days will slip away
How much pain does it take to see it
To live my life and love like I mean it
How many moments pass me by
How many times have I said I won't try
To live my life and love like I mean it
To live my life and love like I mean it
To live my life and love like I mean it
How many days will slip away
How much pain does it take to see it
To live my life and love like I mean it
Video
Stars Go Dim - Like I Mean It
Meaning & Inspiration
Released on October 4, 2011, as part of the album *Between Here and Now*, Stars Go Dim's "Like I Mean It" delves into the profound human struggle for authenticity and spiritual renewal, capturing the universal cry for purpose in a life often marked by regret and fleeting moments. The song immediately plunges into a state of vulnerability, opening with the poignant questions, "How do I learn to fly / When I'm down on my knees? How do I learn to love / When I'm begging you please?" These lines vividly paint a picture of someone at rock bottom, recognizing their inability to rise or genuinely connect without external aid, a sentiment deeply resonant with the spirit of humility and dependence found in Scripture. It reflects the truth of Proverbs 16:3, reminding us to commit our works to the Lord, and our plans will be established, acknowledging that true strength and capability come from a source beyond ourselves, especially when we are at our weakest.
The narrative unfolds, revealing a history of self-deception and relational missteps. The speaker admits to spending most of life merely "trying just to get by," and confesses to giving "reasons," disregarding "feelings," and convincing themselves of falsehoods. This honest admission echoes the inner turmoil described in Romans 7:15-20, where Paul laments doing what he does not want to do, highlighting the ongoing battle within the human heart between good intentions and sinful actions. The lyrics further explore this internal conflict, revealing secrets kept "hid away down inside" and a pattern of "telling myself lie after lie," portraying a person playing a deceptive part, a "man with many hearts." This candid confession brings to mind Jeremiah 17:9, which declares the heart to be deceitful above all things, and desperately sick, underscoring the deep-seated need for divine intervention and transformation to break free from self-imposed prisons of dishonesty and fragmented identity.
The chorus then introduces a powerful, almost desperate longing for change, confronting the "many moments pass me by" and the repeated refusal to "try / To live my life and love like I mean it." This is not just a call for superficial adjustment but a yearning for intentionality and depth, an aspiration to embody the love and life Christ calls us to. It powerfully connects with Ephesians 5:15-16, urging us to "look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil." The urgency to live and love authentically resonates with the Great Commandment to love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and our neighbor as ourselves (Matthew 22:37-39). The song questions the cost of continued inaction: "How much pain does it take to see it?" suggesting that sometimes our brokenness is the very catalyst God uses to bring us to a place of genuine surrender and transformation, akin to the refining fire mentioned in 1 Peter 1:6-7.
As the song progresses, a pivotal shift occurs from questioning to declaration. The verses "I'm gonna love / Like I never ever loved before / I'm gonna live / Like I only had one last wish / I'm gonna be everything you ever wanted / Everything you need" represent a profound commitment. This resolve speaks to the transformative power of grace, where a broken individual chooses to wholly embrace a new path. It mirrors the essence of 2 Corinthians 5:17, proclaiming that "if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away; behold, the new has come." This is a spiritual rebirth, a decision to align one's life with divine purpose, striving to fulfill God's will and demonstrate a love that is genuine and sacrificial, reflecting the very nature of Christ's love for us (John 13:34-35).
The song culminates in a heartfelt plea for help and restoration, a final cry for mercy: "How do I learn to fly / Get me back on my feet / Don't give up on me / I'm begging you please." This echoes the desperate prayer of the psalmist in Psalm 51:10-12, asking God to "create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me." It’s a testament to the enduring hope found in God's faithfulness and willingness to forgive and restore. Despite past failings and self-inflicted wounds, the speaker clings to the hope that they are not beyond redemption, leaning into the promise of Isaiah 41:10, which assures us not to fear, for God is with us, strengthening and upholding us. "Like I Mean It" ultimately serves as an inspiring anthem for anyone yearning to break free from the cycles of regret and insincerity, reminding us that with God's help, we can indeed live and love with profound purpose and meaning, transforming our aspirations into a vibrant, intentional reality.