Overall, the song suggests a one-on-one conversation Pete is having with a previous lover. Whether it’s seeking closure or recalling from the past, he urges his ex to “Calm Down” about their situation.
[Verse 1]
All is well in my hometown
People sleeping in the streetlight
If there's a memory at all
I wish I knew then what I know now
[Chorus]
Calm down
You know I'm tellin' the truth
And when I look at you
You know I'm tellin' the truth
Calm down
I never had to choose
'Cause when I look at you
I know there's nothin' to lose
[Verse 2]
All is well in your world now
People dreamin' through the daylight
All the melodies come back
I wish I knew then what I know now
[Chorus]
Calm down
You know I'm tellin' the truth
And when I look at you
You know I'm tellin' the truth
Calm down
I never had to choose
'Cause when I look at you
I know there's nothin' to lose
[Outro]
All the tears I cried
But I wouldn't change a thing
No, I wouldn't change a thing
All the times we tried
But I wouldn't change a thing
No, I wouldn't change a thing
Calm down
Calm Down was written by Jackson Phillips & Pete Yorn & Soko (FRA).
Calm Down was produced by Jackson Phillips & Pete Yorn.