The meaning and story of Jimmy Eat World's song "Appreciation" is subjective and can be interpreted differently by listeners. However, based on the lyrics, the song seems to revolve around the theme of lost connection and the desire to understand and appreciate someone. The lyrics suggest that the narrator's partner has reminded them of the importance of truly seeing and understanding someone, as they have realized how long they can stare at them without really knowing them. The narrator expresses a longing to comprehend how they have let time pass without making an effort to connect with their partner. The line "We build, we box, we carry on" could be seen as representing the routines and patterns people fall into in their relationships. It implies that they have become complacent and have forgotten the true essence of their connection. They have lost themselves in the process, not realizing that they are lost and disconnected from each other. The lyrics also touch upon the nostalgic feeling of experiencing something familiar from childhood. The phrase "There's something I feel that I haven't felt since, since I was a kid" suggests that the narrator is longing for a more genuine and innocent connection like they had when they were young. Overall, "Appreciation" highlights the importance of actively trying to understand and appreciate one another in a relationship. It speaks to the need to break free from the routines and patterns that lead to disconnection and rediscover the lost connections.
