The song "Evidence" by Jimmy Eat World tells a story about a person obsessing over someone they are infatuated with. The narrator follows this person around, eagerly waiting for the right time to approach them. They talk about swimming into the idea of the person's world and patiently proving themselves worthy of being by their side. The lyrics mention hanging up a sheet between their things as a way to avoid confronting the reality or evidence of the situation. It suggests a desire to block out the truth or any evidence that may challenge their perception or feelings. The narrator watches the person they admire put on a dress they've never seen before, inferring that they are trying to impress someone else. Despite this, the narrator continues to quietly harbor feelings of hatred towards anyone who may potentially take away the person's smile. The repetition of "Hang up a sheet between our things" emphasizes the narrator's attempt to live in denial, avoiding any evidence that contradicts their feelings. The chorus acknowledges that the person they are infatuated with has done something wrong or hurtful ("You did what you did"), but the memory of it still lingers on. The line "Nothing cleans, evidence" suggests that even though time passes, the evidence of the person's actions can never be erased. Overall, "Evidence" explores themes of obsession, denial, and the struggle to cope with unrequited love or the betrayal of a loved one. It speaks to the complexity of human emotions and the difficulty of reconciling conflicting feelings.
