Song Details
- Album Release Date: 2012
- Genre: emo
Song Meaning of “That’s Not Your Real Name” by The Early November
The Early November’s song “That’s Not Your Real Name” is a perfect example of the power of words and how they can affect us. The song is about someone that has gone through some tough times in their past and is trying to move forward into something better. It is a journey of self-discovery and questioning who they are and what their purpose in life may be.
The song opens with the lines “beneath the blues and beneath the brown, years ago you used to know”, and this could be taken as an acknowledgment of the difficult times the narrator has gone through. “That’s not your real name” could be seen as the start of the narrator’s self-discovery, questioning the name they were given and searching for a new one. The lines “you’ve got some bruises and some forgotten pain” could be an indication of the emotionally painful experiences the narrator has gone through, which have made it difficult for them to have faith in themselves.
The chorus of the song is hopeful, with the narrator finding ways to move forward despite their painful past. On one line they sing, “just keep on what’s waiting for you, wave goodbye to all your blues”, which could be seen as the journey of starting a new, hopeful chapter.
The end of the song reaches a climax with the powerful line “believe in the name you find”. This could be seen as the narrator reclaiming the power of words to make themselves feel worthy, by finding a name that resonates and gives them a sense of self-worth.
Overall, “That’s Not Your Real Name” is a powerful reflection of inner strength, and the journey of facing pain and darkness in order to find peace and power within. It is a song of finding identity and being proud of oneself, no matter what the past might have been.