In regards to the meaning of this song:
Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
I've fought it for a long time now
While drowning in a river of denial
I washed up, fixed up, picked up
All my broken things
'Cause you left me, police tape, chalk line
Tequila shots in the dark scene of the crime
Suburban living with a feeling that I'm giving up
Everything for you
Oh, oh, oh, how was I supposed to know
That you were o-o-over me? I think that I should go (go!)
And something's telling me to leave, but I won't
'Cause I'm damned if I do ya, damned if I don't
It took a lot to take you home
One stupid call and I end up alone
Your made up, dressed up, messed up
Plans I set in stone
But you made me do it
And I don't like dancing in the alley
With a street rat night life
Can't keep living with a feeling that I'm giving up
Everything for you
Oh, oh, oh, how was I supposed to know
That you were o-o-over me? I think that I should go (go!)
And something's telling me to leave, but I won't
'Cause I'm damned if I do ya, damned if I don't
Make a fool of myself when you hang around
When you're gone, I'm a match that's burning out
Could've been, should've done what I said I was going to (said that I would do)
But I never promised you (but I never promised you)
(Promised you, promised you, promised you, promised you)
Oh, oh, oh, how was I supposed to know
That you were o-o-over me? I think that I should go (go!)
It never took a fool to see the things that I won't
'Cause I'm damned if I do ya, damned if I do ya
Oh, oh, oh, how was I supposed to know ('cause you left me police scenes, chalk line)
That you were o-o-over me? I think that I should go (Tequila shots in the dark scene of the crime)
And something's telling me to leave but I won't
'Cause I'm damned if I do ya, damned if I d-d-d
Damned if I do ya, damned if I don't
While drowning in a river of denial
I washed up, fixed up, picked up
All my broken things
'Cause you left me, police tape, chalk line
Tequila shots in the dark scene of the crime
Suburban living with a feeling that I'm giving up
Everything for you
Oh, oh, oh, how was I supposed to know
That you were o-o-over me? I think that I should go (go!)
And something's telling me to leave, but I won't
'Cause I'm damned if I do ya, damned if I don't
It took a lot to take you home
One stupid call and I end up alone
Your made up, dressed up, messed up
Plans I set in stone
But you made me do it
And I don't like dancing in the alley
With a street rat night life
Can't keep living with a feeling that I'm giving up
Everything for you
Oh, oh, oh, how was I supposed to know
That you were o-o-over me? I think that I should go (go!)
And something's telling me to leave, but I won't
'Cause I'm damned if I do ya, damned if I don't
Make a fool of myself when you hang around
When you're gone, I'm a match that's burning out
Could've been, should've done what I said I was going to (said that I would do)
But I never promised you (but I never promised you)
(Promised you, promised you, promised you, promised you)
Oh, oh, oh, how was I supposed to know
That you were o-o-over me? I think that I should go (go!)
It never took a fool to see the things that I won't
'Cause I'm damned if I do ya, damned if I do ya
Oh, oh, oh, how was I supposed to know ('cause you left me police scenes, chalk line)
That you were o-o-over me? I think that I should go (Tequila shots in the dark scene of the crime)
And something's telling me to leave but I won't
'Cause I'm damned if I do ya, damned if I d-d-d
Damned if I do ya, damned if I don't
Lyrics submitted by thoseguiltyeyes
Damned If I Do Ya (Damned If I Don't) Lyrics as written by Robert Ryan Dawson Jack Bassam Barakat
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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Alright, I usually don't post comments on these things, but after reading all the bashing that some of the people on here are doing, I'm a bit pissed. Yes, they have changed their sound. They change their clothes everyday, you wannma get mad at them for that too? Are you going to decide to like them when they wear one outfit, but not the other? Just because they have a few songs you don't like, you shouldn't dislike them for it. They should try different sounds. It's called variety. I've liked them since "The Paty Scene" too, and I've watched them change their sound dramatically, and I'm okay with it. I love all the different sounds they've tried. That's what a real fan does. And no matter what, their sounds have always been catchy to me, and they've always been lyrical genius. Including this one. Just ebcause they've gone a bit more "poppy" and they ahve catchier songs, doesn't mean they've "sold out". I hate it. Why do people always decide to say that, once the band gets a little taste of fame? They want to make it big, isn't that what every band wants? And if all your going to do is wish them back to the nobodies that they used to be, you shouldn't call yourself a fan. Fans want the best for their bands.
I totally and completely agree. I'm glad you got out what I was thinking the whole time I was reading these comments. I am truly happy and excited for them, changing or not. I will always be a fan no matter what these guys do. they are an amazing band and deserve to make it big. Even if you hate it, atleast you know you've been a fan from the start. I know that's good enough for me. I have watched All Time Low grow as a band and I only want them to be happy in what they are doing. I personally like this song, and hey it might just be cause it's by them, but oh well. I wish them the best of luck and I am so stoked for nothing personal, which I also pre-ordered :D
Thanks for agreeing with me. I knew there was fans out there that did. And yes, I've pre-ordered it too, through Glamour Kills, I can't wait for it to come out :P. And yeah, I like the song too. I love it actually, I'm not going to say it's their best, cause I'd be lying. In my opinion, "Jasey Rae" will always be the best song to come outta All Time Low. That's just me though. Maybe Nothing Personal can change that. But thanks, I needed someone to have my back here :D
haha yeah I'm not gonna lie, jasey rae is definitely my second favorite song they've made. it's definitely a great one! six feet under the tars just never ceases to amaze me, no matter how many times I listen to it..definitely my favorite. And definitely I have no problem backing you up on this, or any true all time low fan. can't wait til the 7th!!!!
okay, i agree, like alot.<br /> im a big fan, and im not gonna stop liking them<br /> just you have to admit, with this new "poppy" sound<br /> all the fake people will start liking them, <br /> and i dont know about you, but when people start liking <br /> music/band because of one song, that gets me really frustrated. yes, its their dream to make it big, and im excited cus this album is gonna do it,<br /> but ill miss the small venue's and when their tickets only cost $20<br /> and how personal it all was. i'll never stop liking them, even when all the fake fans stop. but you get what i mean right?
@KatyLovesATL Your going to see them in concert? All this time that I've liked them, I've never seen them in concert. Their going to be in my town for Warped, but I'm going to away at camp when they come. I was really upset about that. But what can you do. I'm just going to have to wait around for another concert date. And hope the tickets aren't too expensive, with them hitting it big and what not. But I'm happy for you, enjoy yourself! <br /> <br /> <br /> @darianiscool I understand where your coming from. I'll miss them being "my" band, the one that I loved, that nobody really knew about. I'll miss the personal-ness of everything they do, and I'll miss the chances to meet-n-greet and what not. It's a sad thing for us fans, but it's great for them. So I'm choosing their happiness over my own, at the momemt, since I'm just a great fan like that :D
@xxrachelreneexx hah thats cute :D, yeah its sorrta sad, but i meann i gotta give it to em'. they came real far, and fans should try to stop that. if we did what kind of fans would we be? i real excited, dont get me wrong, im just not excited for everything else it brings.<br />
@xxrachelreneexx i am actually seeing them at warped on july 23rd, which is very exciting, but i was tlking about the cd coming out that day :D but yeah i'm sure they'll be touring this fall, but i've also heard they're gonna tour with we the kings in the winter so keep your eyes open for that! just a thought. but they are AMAZING in concert :) so i hope you get to go! its a great experience<br /> <br /> @darianiscool i know exactly what you mean cause thats how i also feel. its like you'll miss the days when you were the only person in your school to know them and now its gonna be everyone saying "OMG have you heard the new ATL song?" but then you think, hey i helped them get to this point!! so we are helping them being happy :) so i definitely agree with both of you guys!!
@darianiscool Haha, yeah. I'll miss them being "my" band, like I said, but we all gotta be happy for them. Their on the Itunes top 100 songs chart! That's crazy. I can't beileve. I like was sitting at my computer, and staring at the screen in awe :D I didn't know if I was happy, or sad lol.<br /> <br /> @KatyLovesATL Oh, yes. I can't wait for July 2nd, when Glamour Kills ships the pre-orders. I really hope we get it before everyone else :D It should be our "prize" for pre-ordering. And yes, them going on tour with We The Kings would be awesome :D I saw We The Kings when they were touring for Bamboozle Roadshow. That was an amazing concert. And, if everyone starts liking ATL, then I can just walk up and be like, "I've liked them from the beginning." And that'll give me a little peice of mind :D
I was actually thinking that the other day! because it would be no fair at all if our packages got shipped that day and we didn't get them that day..I'd be highly upset! but yeah I think I'm gonna keep looking at that tour cause I love we the kings as well and they would be amazing with all time low (: and your so lucky I didn't get to go to bamboozle this year ): but yeah that's a good idea to say to people or you can see them in concert and be like "to I already got to meet them bitches, eat that!" cause that's what I'm planning bahaha they should be speechless
@katylovesatl yeah hah its cool to think we're behind some of their sucsess :D but i cant help but also not want it to happen, i guess? like i want them to have all the publicity and such, but without all the fake people, haha. idk i guess im sorrta contridicting myself. ahah<br /> <br /> @xxrachelreneexx wow, already? thats pretty fast, but i mean their music is on the right track to get mroe and more fans, so i can beilve it. but i guess their music doesnt really tell a great story anymore, weightless does to an extent, well i guess they all do. just not like they used too, no biggy thought, they went through their changes, i think they found as sound. and their pretty good at it too :D
@darianiscool: yeah I know what your saying. there are plenty of those people out there. I was watching MTV last night and ATL came one playing damned if I do ya and I lost my breath. it made me wanna cry cause it doesn't feel right seeing them on there. hut after I caught my breath I guess I was happy. so I know what you mean by mixed feelings. it's pretty crazy..
@KatyLovesATL $ @darianiscool Yeah, I mean I loved the stories behind all their music, and how each song was really personal, and they put their all into writing it. I miss that. But, I guess their still doing that, just with the sidenote of, "we gotta make this catchier, and we gotta change our sound a bit". And that's okay. They wanna make it big time. Every band wants that. It's always going to be mixed feelings from us fans who have been their from the start, but hey, I guess we're giving them unconditional love. Haha. It's a good thing and a bad thing. We just gotta hope their happy and that their making music that they honestly love.<br /> <br /> @KatyLovesATL Yes, we better get our pre-ordered packages before everyone. At least the day before. Because what's the point of pre-ordering if there's not going to be anything PRE about it?! Haha. And I didn't go to Baboozle, I went to Bamboozle Roadshow, which was a tour that came to my town. It was nice. And yes, to say "I already met them" would be nice, cause that's what I do with The Maine, I got to meet all of them at AP tour, and I brag about it all the time. It's wrong, but hey, I can't help it. And I plan on being then exact same way with All Time Low, haha.
yeah, im happy and sad, so like you said mix feelings. i saw that too and almost cried also. hah but whatever, theirs alot of girls out their who feel just like us :/ so i guess were not alone, its sad thinking their loosing their personal feeling, but they gotta. i wonder if they knew this was comming? i bet they're frustrated with us fans too, but ehh when your hot, and have good voice and are amazing you gotta expect it :D so whatever haha i hope this decision takes them far
@darianiscool Exactly. When they got into this business to have success and be famous, they should have known they'd have crazy fans. And they even made of fun of it in their recent "kidnapped" skit on mtv, when they get kidnapped by uber fans. I thought the skit was HALARIOUS. It made my night yesterday. Lol. And yes, I want them to go far, and when their selling out venues with hundreds of thousands of people, we can just have the peice of mind knowing we helped them get there, and we were there for thme when they were selling out venues on a MUCH smaller scale.
haha yes i know! that was the best :D and its kindda cool if you think about it, they sortta do take into consideration us fans, alittle. at least they try to meet us, and ALWAYS keep us updated, and wanting more. so they got the right idea too. im excited :D to an extent haha. just know everyone will wanna get in their pants, and all that "fun" stuff haha. but man, i hope they dont screw us over..
haha you guys are funny..and @xxrachelreneexx ahhh you are so lucky to meet the maine!! i'm really hoping to meet them at warped but who knows what will happen there lol
@darianiscool They do care about us fans. They aren't being all egotisical and big-headed about becoming more popular. I don't think they care. They have to care about us, they did in the past, they do now, and I don't see why that would change in the future. They've always been nice guys, that do meet-n-greets, if they see a fan that wants a picture and an autograph, they give it. Their always nice like that. And yes, I'm excited too. But sad. I guess I'll just stick with this whole "conflicting emotions" thing I got going on.<br /> <br /> @KatyLovesATL Haha, yes I was really lucky. It's really the only reason that I even went to the AP tour. Was to get pics, autographs, and convos with them. And it was exactly what happened. After the show ended, me and my friends ran over to their bus as soon as we could. We didn't even have to wait really. And we stayed until they all left but John. He was out there forever. Garrett told me and my friends a story about having to go to the strip club next door to get food, and how it made him feel dirty :]] LOL. He called my friend too. They all were so nice. I'm sure if you really try to meet them, you will. Their always up for greeting fans.
ahh they really do seem like nice guys! so dont doubt it :) i love the interview alex did with the maine. it makes me laugh pretty good lol. but thats a good idea to run to their bus like that. i might try that at warped :D
i don't think their new material is terrible. it's definitely trying to appeal to the mainstream crowd these days, but it's still good. and if you're saying the cover of umbrella was when they sold out, you might as well call every band that's ever been on the "punk goes" series sell outs too. but i agree that their earlier cds were much better.<br /> <br /> and you can see the transition from their own sound to more of an "mtv" driven sound
I agree 95 percent, I like the new sound, but i prefer there older sound. I know what you mean by WHY they changed though. But really i love everything from the The Party Scene to Nothing Personal, every single to.
Right on, sister! xxRACHELRENEExx has a great point. It's their choice to change or go back again and if you don't love it that's fine. Just because you don't like one song, it doesn't mean you can't call yourself a fan. There will always be people who like the new sound, people who don't, and people who are just generally crappy and bitter about a band changing, but it's not your band and that's just something we all have to face eventually. The point is, we all commented because we like All Time Low. There will always be something there to hold on to, whether it's a song or an album. They probably just altered their sound a little bit because they're sick of not being recognized for their true talent. I would be, too.<br /> <br /> One thing I've noticed is that even though they've changed their sound they haven't changed their style. Sure, if I heard two random songs, one from Nothing Personal and one from The Party Scene I'd say they sound different, but the tunes are just as catchy, the lyrics are just as great, and they're definitely the same people. That's one thing (thank God) we can all count on.<br /> <br /> If you think you like All Time Low I would definitely suggest attending one of their concerts. I went to see them at the Hammerstein Ballroom on Friday night, and I was so impressed. First of all, I loved all their opening bands, and it was fun to see that some of my favorite bands knew each other so well. The Friday Night Boys and We the Kings were there, and both were fantastic. Finally, All Time Low was excellent live, and all together I thought it was a huge success. Seeing them live reminded me why I truly love them, and only enhanced my interest in their music. If you are able to go see them, I highly recommend it.<br /> <br /> As nightmarryyou says below, everyone has an opinion, but before you decide for eure I would go see them. But hey, that's just my opinion.