Evelyn Evelyn is a baroque pop song by the musical duo Evelyn Evelyn. It featured on their 2010 album of the same name. Before exploring the Evelyn Evelyn lyrics meaning, you should know the intent behind its title.
Title – What does it mean?
Evelyn Evelyn comprises of two fictional conjoined twins named Eva and Lynn. Eva is proud of their condition but Lynn wants to separate and live her own life. An important thing to note about the song is that it is not structured in the typical verse-chorus format. This song is more free-flowing and goes around a singular melody. It bears more resemblance to a poem than a song. Now that the title of the song has been explained, it is time to understand the Evelyn Evelyn lyrics meaning.
The Song – What does it mean?
Evelyn, Evelyn
Why do we bother to stay?
Why are you running away?
The fictional characters Eva and Lynn were conjured up by the musical duo Evelyn Evelyn (Amanda Palmer and Jason Webley). Eva and Lynn have been together since birth. But even though they are twins and share the same DNA, they are quite different from each other. The first twin (Eva) likes being together with the second twin (Lynn). But Lynn wants to run away from Eva.
Don’t you feel like severing?
Everything’s just come together at last
It’s broken, I don’t want to play
Lynn explains herself. She feels suffocated because there is no privacy. Both Eva and Lynn have shared every moment of their lives together. But Lynn wants to become her own person by undergoing a surgical procedure of separation. The relationship between the twins (according to Lynn) is “broken”. Lynn is tired and “don’t want to play” anymore.
We grew up closer than most
Closer than anything, closer than anything
Shared our bed and wore the same clothes
Talked about everything, spoke about so many things
Now Eva tries to convince Lynn against getting separated. She reminds Lynn that their bond is deeper than most relationships on earth. Only conjoined twins can experience something so intimate and powerful. They have been together since they gained consciousness. Not only have they shared the same “bed” and worn the “same clothes”, they have also shared their deepest feelings and desires. Their bond is a result of their condition and if they were to split all will be lost.
What shall we wear tonight? What shall we eat today?
Can we go ice skating? But we just did that yesterday
Should we be firemen? Can we be astronauts?
What if they find us? They’re not looking anyway
Both sisters recount their shared adventures. It is possible that Eva and Lynn grew up as orphans, perhaps in a circus where they had to put up a show. Circus entails a tough life. You don’t know when your next pay check will arrive. Still, they tried to make the best out of their situation. They went ice skating and probably had fun performing some pyrotechnics for the crowd. But they also had desires to become more (like “astronauts”).
At some point the twins must have discussed the idea of running away. The fear of being caught concerned Eva, but Lynn brushed it aside. They had no one. So nobody would look for them.
Evelyn, Evelyn
Why do we bother to stay?
Why are you running away?
Don’t you feel like severing?
Everything’s just come together at last
It’s broken, I don’t want to play
The twins continue their argument on separation. Eva is still trying to convince Lynn to stay together. The latter on the other hand seems to stay firm with her decision. This argument denotes the real Evelyn Evelyn lyrics meaning.
Fill my glass, let’s drink a toast
This is our birthday, so why are we weeping?
Eva describes their birth as a one-in-a-million miracle. They should be proud of their condition. It is a rarity in nature which should be celebrated. But Lynn shares the opposite point of view. She does not view their birth as a miracle. To her, their birth is a tragedy which calls for weeping and mourning, not celebration.
At your side, I feel like a ghost
I wake up first, and I stare at you sleeping
Lynn explains her point of view. Due to the lack of privacy, Lynn does not feel like a person in her own right. She thinks of herself as a ghost of Eva, lacking individuality. She describes how bound she feels with Eva permanently attached to her. Even if she wants, Lynn cannot walk away and do things on her own. She must wait for Eva to agree with her. Lynn is fed up of this and seeks independence.
What shall we wear tonight? What shall we eat today?
Do you think I should marry him? But we just met him yesterday
What Eva does not realize is that both sisters will eventually fight for their own personal interests. Lynn has understood this very well. For instance, both Eva and Lynn have feelings for the same guy. But Eva seems to be oblivious of the rivalry between Lynn and her. She even innocently asks Lyn whether she should “marry him”. Lynn understands the growing tension between them. There are some things in life that cannot be shared.
Should we be movie stars? Will we be millionaires?
I want to be famous. They’re watching us anyway
Then comes the question of dreams and ambition. Lynn and Eva may differ in what they want to achieve or become in life. Eva wants to be famous, but Lynn is shy and tired of getting unsolicited attention from others. Maybe Lynn wants a quieter life – a normal life where people do not stare at her for being unusual. Eva does not seem to feel the same way.
Evelyn, Evelyn
Why do we bother to stay?
Why are you running away?
Don’t you feel like severing?
Everything’s just come together at last
It’s broken, I don’t want to play
We grew up so very close
A parasite needs a host
This is what their relationship has come down to. Instead of being each other’s source of strength, Lynn thinks they will end up destroying themselves. One twin is a parasite to the other conjoined twin. They are not a symbiotic relationship. Eva thinks they are good together. But Lynn believes that Eva will suck the life out of her.
I’m only trying to do what is best for us
Well, I never asked for this, I never wanted this
Eva tries to defend herself. In her opinion, she is only trying to do what will benefit them the most. This means she wants Lynn and her to be together till death. But Lynn rejects the proposal. Although fate was responsible for making them the way they are, Lynn does not want to be a passive recipient anymore. She wants to take matters into her own hands and do something about it.
All that I want is some time to myself
Looking in your eyes, I’m coming home
Just get away from me, please just stop touching me
You’re always trying to be somebody else
Another argument ensues. Lynn wants some privacy in life, but Eva thinks she is lying to herself. This difference of interest is what convinces Lynn to separate from her conjoined twin.
Now I realize I’m not alone
Well, you’re only scared of me
But you never cared for me
Why don’t you let me free?
‘Cause you’d never dare to be
‘Cause you never listen, you’re always insisting
(I’m just/just stop) reminiscing
I feel something missing
I just want (you here with me/my privacy)
God (can’t we just get along/won’t you leave me alone)?
Lynn feels that Eva is being selfish for not agreeing to part ways. Eva is afraid of losing Lynn, with whom she was spent every waking moment of her life. Neither wants to listen to the other. Perhaps they are both right in their own way. Or maybe, they are both being selfish.
Evelyn, Evelyn
Evelyn, Evelyn
Evelyn, Evelyn
Evelyn, Evelyn
Evelyn, Evelyn
Evelyn, Evelyn
Evelyn, Evelyn
Evelyn, Evelyn
Evelyn, Evelyn
Evelyn, Evelyn
Evelyn, Evelyn
Evelyn, Evelyn
Evelyn, Evelyn
Evelyn, Evelyn
Evelyn, Evelyn
Evelyn, Evelyn
Hope you have now understood the Evelyn Evelyn lyrics meaning.
Conclusion
The true Evelyn Evelyn lyrics meaning is symbolic. Eva and Lynn are actually symbols of internal turmoil that occurs inside your head. Sometimes you are torn between two opposite courses of action. There is no right or wrong answer. Such conflict takes time to resolve, leading to a long waged internal battle.
