Album: Infinity On High (2007)

License This Song 

• It's all a game of this or that, now verses then
  Better off against, worse for wear
  And you're someone, who knows someone, who knows someone I once knew
  And I just want to be a part of this
  
  The road outside my house is paved with good intentions
  Hired a construction crew 'cause it's hell on the engine
  And you are the dreamer and we are the dream
  I could write it better than you ever felt it
  
  So hum hallelujah, just off the key of reason
  I thought I loved you, it was just how you looked in the light
  A teenage vow in a parking lot, 'til tonight do us part
  I sing the blues and swallow them too
  
  My words are my faith, to hell with our good name
  A remix of your guts, your insides X-rayed
  And one day we'll get nostalgic for disaster
  We're a bull, your ears are just a china shop
  
  I love you in the same way, there's a chapel in a hospital
  One foot in your bedroom and one foot out the door
  Sometimes we take chances, sometimes we take pills
  I could write it better than you ever felt it
  
  So hum hallelujah, just off the key of reason
  I thought I loved you, it was just how you looked in the light
  A teenage vow in a parking lot, 'til tonight do us part
  I sing the blues and swallow them too
  
  Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelu-
  Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelu- (hum hallelujah, hum hallelujah)
  A teenage vow in a parking lot, 'til tonight do us part
  I sing the blues and swallow them too
  So hum hallelujah, just off the key of reason
  I thought I loved you, it was just how you looked in the light
  A teenage vow in a parking lot, 'til tonight do us part
  Vow in a parking lot, 'til tonight do us part
  A teenage vow in a parking lot, 'til tonight do us part
  I sing the blues and swallow them too Writer/s: Andrew Hurley, Joseph Trohman, Leonard Cohen, Patrick Stump, Peter Wentz
  Publisher: Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
  Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 13

• Abbey from Denver, CoSomething that hasn't been mentioned is that Hum Hallelujah is in the key of D sharp, while Cohen's Hallelujah is in the key of C major. The key of C major is also known as "The Key of Reason", hence the lyric "Just off the key of reason."
• Mollie from Adelaide, AustraliaThe song is about Pete trying to kill himself, Pete tried to kill himself by overdosing on his anxiety pills, when he did this he was in a car park and the song playing on the radio was Hallelujah, so if you like them enough its not that hard to figure out. Read the lyrics a few times it all makes sense.
• Christina from Chicago, IlI think this song is about Pete's suicide attempt. Like when it says "a teeage vow in the parking lot till tonight do us part I sing the blues and swallow them too". Pete attmpted to kill himself with Ativan which is used to treat anxiety disorders or anxiety associated with depression. And while the pills aren't actually blue, the bottle they come in is. When he tried to kill himself he was in the Best Buy parking lot. Also, he was very young late teens to early twenties. "A remix of your guts X-rayed" could refer to his treatments at the hospital that he stayed at afterwards. When he overdosed, the song "Halleujah" was playing on the radio, which could refer to the corus. And then "Sometimes we take chances sometimes we take pills" could mean that sometimes we chance life and other times we don't, since that is how Pete tried to kill himself- with pills. Though, personally, I believe this song is about the teenagers having unprotected sex, too. Just that the deeper meaning is about Pete's suicide attempt.
• Sam from Dublin, Ireland'sometimes we take pills'- pete took an overdose of ativan. 'in a parking lot' he done so in a parking lot. 'sing the blues and i swallow them' ativan is blue
• Clarissa from Martinsburg, WvI thought it was about an OD
• Drew from Ironton, OhHes probably referring to zanex rather than atavans when he says i sing the blues and swallow them too.. zanex are blue....
• Alex from Burriville, RiHe tried to over dose in 2003 not 2005
• Lexi from Buffalo, Nythis song is about Pete's overdose in a best buy PARKING LOT. hence the "teenage vow in a parking lot".
  "Sometimes we take chances, sometimes we takes pills" refrences the overdose quite plainly. He has said Jeff Buckley's song "Hallelujah" was playing at the time of the overdose.
• Kelly from Wilmington, Nc"Hallelujah" by Leonard Cohen has been "like a sign from God" to many people, including me.
• Elli from Beverly Hills, CaThis is a reminisence of Pete's overdose. I am not arguing. He said it in an interview. "Hallelujah was the first song I heard while leaving the hospital with my parents. It was like a message from God." The irony of this song is "hum". Hum is old english for "screw that". So by saying screw halleujah, he is saying it wasn't an accident he was saved. Ativan is, in fact, blue. "Swallow them to." Pretty obvious if you guys see the interview.
• Aaron from Jackson, Msyall dont know what the song is about do ya?!!?
  this song is about what pete felt when he wrote it, and it is meant to mean something different to everyone else who listens to it. the song is basically to comform to whatever we happen to be going through at the time.
  "sometimes we take chances, sometimes we take pills," that can mean anything to anyone; for some it can be their taking a drug and at the same time them taking a chance at going OD (like pete) or it can mean a figurative pill and a real chance ( like love, which a person can really overdose on...)
• Natalie from Carlow, United Statesi thought this was about pete's overdose in a parking lot hence "sometimes we take pills" and "i sing the blues and swallow them too" and when he says things like better off against worse for wear at least thats what i always made it out to be
• Alyssa from Belvidere, Ilyea its not "to hell with our good name we mix up your guts"
  that doesnt even make any sense if you have listened to the song at all its clearly
  "a remix of your guts your insides xrayed"

More Songfacts:

Me And Bobby McGeeJanis Joplin

"Me And Bobby McGee" was written by Kris Kristofferson and first recorded by Roger Miller. Janis Joplin's famous version turned Bobby into a boy.

LovesongThe Cure

Cure lead singer Robert Smith originally wrote "Lovesong" as a wedding present for his fiancée, Mary, shortly before their marriage.

Don't Go Breaking My HeartElton John and Kiki Dee

Elton John had a huge hit duetting with Kiki Dee on "Don't Go Breaking My Heart," but he's also performed it with RuPaul and Miss Piggy.

S&MRihanna

Rihanna claims that "S&M" is about her love/hate relationship with the media. Apparently her paparazzi are using whips and chains.

My Name IsEminem

Eminem sampled a song by Labi Siffre on "My Name Is." Siffre, a gay activist, made Em take out some gay humor in the lyric before allowing it.

PillowtalkZayn

Zayn's "Pillowtalk" reached #1 on the Hot 100, something his former One Direction bandmates never achieved.

Editor's Picks

Dr. JohnSongwriter Interviews

The good doctor shares some candid insights on recording with Phil Spector and The Black Keys.

Matthew Wilder - "Break My Stride"They're Playing My Song

Wilder's hit "Break My Stride" had an unlikely inspiration: a famous record mogul who rejected it.

Chris Squire of YesSongwriter Interviews

One of the most dynamic bass player/songwriters of his time, Chris is the only member of Yes who has been with the band since they formed in 1968.

Gary Louris of The JayhawksSongwriter Interviews

The Jayhawks' song "Big Star" has special meaning to Gary, who explains how longevity and inspiration have trumped adulation.

David Paich of TotoSongwriter Interviews

Toto's keyboard player explains the true meaning of "Africa" and talks about working on the Thriller album.

Jeff TrottSongwriter Interviews

Sheryl Crow's longtime songwriting partner/guitarist Jeff Trott reveals the stories behind many of the singer's hits, and what its like to be a producer for Leighton Meester and Max Gomez.