Song Details
- Album Release Date: 2012
- Genre: emo
Song Meaning of “Harvard on the Hudson” by With the Punches
The song “Harvard On The Hudson” by With the Punches speaks to the difficulty of self-discovery and trying to find yourself in the world. The song’s narrator seems to be reflecting on a journey of exploration to find some kind of truth and understanding about his situation and his place in the world. The song’s refrain, “I don’t know anything,” serves to reflect the narrator’s disorientation and confusion.
The title of the song is a metaphor which serves to represent the narrator’s search for knowledge and understanding. Much like a student at Harvard University, the narrator is trying to navigate through experiences in order to gain knowledge and to better understand his life. The journey is described as being both physically and emotionally taxing, with the narrator feeling like being “hemmed in” by seemingly overwhelming forces which leave him with feelings of stagnation and immobility.
The song suggests that the narrator is ultimately unable to make sense of the conditions of his life, and is thus left with feelings of confusion and helplessness. This is evidenced by the repetition of the chorus “I don’t know anything,” which serves to reinforce the sense of hopelessness that comes with not knowing where you belong or how to make sense of your situation.
Overall, “Harvard on the Hudson” strives to evoke a sense of confusion, uncertainty, and helplessness. It paints a picture of a journey marked by emotional and physical hardship, and the ultimate realization that the narrator is unable to make sense of what is happening around them. The song encourages the listener to remain hopeful, despite the uncertainties and difficulties of life.