I followed every single step
Listed in didactic manuals
I sat up straight
I prayed to God
I dressed my shutters in matching paint
I pressed my nose to the grindstone
I did everything I was told
I rubbed elbows with the elite
But I still feel so empty

His parents divorced over
Mother's parturient belly
Who, in keeping with martyrdom
Died upon boy's delivery
His father had always blamed him
For her early departure
He was born alone
He lived alone
He'll rot alone
And die alone

I followed every single step
Listed in didactic manuals
I sat up straight
I prayed to God
I dressed my shutters in matching paint
I pressed my nose to the grindstone
I did everything I was told
I rubbed elbows with the elite
But I still feel so empty

He sits alone and sobs
Immersed in his trappings of luxury
He's never been a big drinker
But tonight his liver would not know it
The burdens have become a crushing load
The wrenching twist will soon cause a shift
The pressure, fleeting and pounding
I feel the trigger give


Lyrics submitted by xbotchla

Harry Frazee And No, No, Nannette song meanings
Add Your Thoughts

8 Comments

sort form View by:
  • +1
    General Comment

    The Corporate Head who began the album in Ants is described perfectly by "is a gunslinger": the man has worked with his face in the books yet he has is not content with life. Like the Man in "Ear to Ear", the Corporate Head is an empty tree that finally concludes his life, as mentioned in the final stanza:

    "The pressure, fleeting and pounding I feel the trigger give "

    The most interesting point is how "For A dream..." states: "Extra! Extra...A corporate head's been murdered!" Which is ironically true: who could possibly imagine the big, wealthy CEO of a company committing suicide? He has money, fame, a world beneath him: what more could he want? -> This proves exactly what Forgive Durden's album is about :D

    The artwork also confirms the suicide, with the corporate head sitting in a darkened room that is tinted with a dark red.

    archerboyon January 22, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Amazing song. what I think:

    First verse tells the story of an abandoned child, wanted only by his mother who dies during labor. his father blames him and in turn he is alone.

    The chorus talks about trying to find a meaning to life, trying it all, but still feeling lonely and empty.

    The second verse is about a rich man who has it all, except companionship. Loneliness eats him empty.

    I'm pretty sure the man in second verse is the first boy in the future. I dunno. But this Cd rocks.

    is a gunslingeron May 15, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    ammmmaaazzzinngg song i love forgive durden theyre amazing.. gonna see their concert in may :) cant wait. but their whole cd is so cool cause its a story, its depressing but the songs r just so good.

    stixxon April 08, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    In the story, I don't think he actually physically murders the corporate head. I tihnk the corporate head is the representation of what ailed him, what held him down. And I think when "the trigger gives", he's cutting of that part of his life. I think it's turning point in the CD. That's just what I think.

    salmarnirechoon June 09, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    this song always reminds me of chuck palahniuk's book survivior at that one part when he's like

    "I followed every single step Listed in didactic manuals I sat up straight I prayed to God I dressed my shutters in matching paint I pressed my nose to the grindstone I did everything I was told I rubbed elbows with the elite But I still feel so empty"

    that part reminds me of Tender because i dunno it just does. that makes no sense, i know, but this is my favorite favorite song.

    chipdameeperon June 17, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    I was actually just listening to this, and what appeals to me most is the instruments. The song is pretty much self-expanatory, the guy's rich but in reality he has nothing.

    I just love how the instruments sound like a bland march, reflecting the corporate monotony.

    Amazing band by the way, they don't get nearly the recognition they should be getting.

    BeyondxHorizonson July 19, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Harry Frazee was the guy who sold Babe Ruth to the Yankees. "No, No, Nannette" was a musical that he produced. Apparently he financed the show by selling Babe Ruth to the Yankees, resulting in the Curse of the Bambino, even though the sale actually happened before that but whatever. This song basically tells about his life. Though the part about his death isn't accurate( he didn't shoot himself or anything,he died of kidney failure.) But they were probably just trying to make it a more interesting story. Which they did. The rest of it makes perfect sense though. One of my favorite songs by them.

    FakeItThroughTheDayon August 15, 2007   Link
  • -1
    General Comment

    Pretty much tells you right in the song... Its about when the main character in the album killed the Corporate head...but it tells story of the Corporate Head leading up to the murder i e his parents divorcing after his mom died cause of him being born and his dad hating him cause of it. And he also asks why me cause hes welathy and has everything except love ...something to fill the void

    zoobe_40on September 08, 2006   Link

Add your thoughts

Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.

Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!

More Featured Meanings

Album art
Cajun Girl
Little Feat
Overall about difficult moments of disappointment and vulnerability. Having hope and longing, while remaining optimistic for the future. Encourages the belief that with each new morning there is a chance for things to improve. The chorus offers a glimmer of optimism and a chance at a resolution and redemption in the future. Captures the rollercoaster of emotions of feeling lost while loving someone who is not there for you, feeling let down and abandoned while waiting for a lover. Lost with no direction, "Now I'm up in the air with the rain in my hair, Nowhere to go, I can go anywhere" The bridge shows signs of longing and a plea for companionship. The Lyrics express a desire for authentic connection and the importance of Loving someone just as they are. "Just in passing, I'm not asking. That you be anyone but you”
Album art
Dreamwalker
Silent Planet
I think much like another song “Anti-Matter” (that's also on the same album as this song), this one is also is inspired by a horrifying van crash the band experienced on Nov 3, 2022. This, much like the other track, sounds like it's an extension what they shared while huddled in the wreckage, as they helped frontman Garrett Russell stem the bleeding from his head wound while he was under the temporary effects of a concussion. The track speaks of where the mind goes at the most desperate & desolate of times, when it just about slips away to all but disconnect itself, and the aftermath.
Album art
Gentle Hour
Yo La Tengo
This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version. Great version of a great song,
Album art
Just A Little Lovin'
Dusty Springfield
I don't think it's necessarily about sex. It's about wanting to start the day with some love and affection. Maybe a warm cuddle. I'm not alone in interpreting it that way! For example: "'Just a Little Lovin’ is a timeless country song originally recorded by Eddy Arnold in 1954. The song, written by Eddie Miller and Jimmy Campbell, explores the delicate nuances of love and showcases Arnold’s emotive vocals. It delves into the universal theme of love and how even the smallest gesture of affection can have a profound impact on our lives." https://oldtimemusic.com/the-meaning-behind-the-song-just-a-little-lovin-by-eddy-arnold/
Album art
Page
Ed Sheeran
There aren’t many things that’ll hurt more than giving love a chance against your better judgement only to have your heart crushed yet again. Ed Sheeran tells such a story on “Page.” On this track, he is devastated to have lost his lover and even more saddened by the feeling that he may never move on from this.