You're a supplement, you're a salve
You're a bandage, pull it off
I can quit you cut it out
You're a patient, iron lung

You're a cast signed broken arm
You're an actor out of work
You're a liar and that's the truth
You're an extra, lost in the scene

You're a boxer in the ring
With brass knuckles underneath
You're the curses through my teeth
You're the laughter, you're the obscene

You're a supplement, you're a salve
You're a bandage, pull it off
I think I love you, I think I'm mad

You're a cast signed broken arm
You're an actor out of work
I think I love you, I think I'm mad

You're a boxer in the ring
With brass knuckles underneath
I think I love you, I think I'm mad


Lyrics submitted by leahper, edited by actoroutofwork

Actor Out of Work Lyrics as written by Anne Erin Clark

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management

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Actor Out of Work song meanings
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14 Comments

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  • +5
    General Comment

    It seems like he broke up with her, and she's making fun of him to herself to try and get over him, telling herself that he's worthless without her. The brass knuckles seem indicative of a weakness he feels he needs to compensate for, hence why he dumped her, to make himself feel like he has control. But later she finds out she was right about him needing her and finds him endearing. But she also thinks herself crazy for wanting him back now that he's a wounded animal.

    The video also kind of paralells this, her subtle delight in the various actors' break downs. It comes off as creepy and cruel, but the lyrics show that maybe she has a reason to be mean if he's been so crappy to her.

    rocknrollgirl47on September 16, 2011   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    I believe it's, "you're the laughter, you're the obscene." As for the other missing line(s), it sounds like, "you're a cast___ looking on;" I'm wondering if it's jargon related to film casting. I also think "I am love" might simply be a strange pronunciation of "i-in love," based on her mouth in the music video.

    Anyhow, I think the song is about being in love with someone, but realizing it's unhealthy and inadvisable ("I think I'm mad"). The person feels somehow comforted by the relationship ("you're a supplement, you're a salve / you're a bandage"), but knows the other person is dishonest and hiding something ("actor out of work," "brass knuckles underneath").

    kmb187on April 11, 2009   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    I believe the blank in the 2nd verse is "cast, I'm looking on."

    Also, great song. It's highly addictive.

    broke_rock_star77on April 16, 2009   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    It's "you're a cast signed broken arm"

    rainandrevon April 28, 2009   Link
  • +1
    My Interpretation

    I think its about falling out of love with someone who was an atrociously fake person. Like when you meet someone, and at first they come off nice; but as you get to know them more it becomes apparent that their "nice" is only a facade, and they're truly a wicked, shallow and mean person-- not at all who you thought them to be. The kind of person who acts different to every single person they talk to. Who, after a little while, you have no idea who they really are.

    And this song is about that person, and dealing with them. You thought you loved them, but half the time they're a stranger. Are you just crazy, or is it them to blame? You thought you loved them, but you actually only love who you thought they were.

    apricition June 28, 2015   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    I think it's "cast, I'm broken arm." I could be wrong. Also, is it "patient, I am lung"? I'm not sure. The lyrics seem to be clearer when she sings them here:

    vimeo.com/5203838

    broke_rock_star77on June 19, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    I think it is about being in love with someone who isn't all that (an extra lost in the scene, a bandage pull it off etc.) someone who is actually not that important or special, but still has something over him/her that makes you fall in love but you can't tell why (i think i love you i think i'm mad)

    i really love this song. i don't really like the rest of the album, but maybe it still has to grow on me.

    zjoshon July 08, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    It sounds to me like she broke up with somebody who she thought she knew, but really didn't and now he's like an actor out of work. He makes her feel better and she wants to be with him but she knows she shouldn't and that she can let him go. (You're a supplement, you're a salve/You're a bandage, pull it off/I can quit you cut it out). She's still in love with him, and for that she thinks she's mad.

    meaganelizabethon August 04, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    i think this is a song about denial. she wants to think that she is independent (I can quit you) but eventually admits that she is indeed in love, but still won't fold completely by claiming the insanity of it all.

    kelllllyon August 08, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    I think it's about seeing actors on the screen. Although you know they're just acting, you can't help but believe them. Or if you don't believe in them, sometimes you find it kinda cute that they're trying so hard to act.

    And how that kind of situation can often arise in relationships.

    stainon October 16, 2009   Link

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