Well I don't need more guilt here in my life,
How the hell is that supposed to help me find the light?
And I don't need you preaching at me day and night
About the way I look, the way I walk,
The way I dress and the way I talk,
There's something that you think you see like you've ever looked at me

You say you've got it figured out,
And you seem so damn proud about it,
I never really trusted folks who have to talk so loud

That ain't to say you never looked me in the eye,
But lookin' isn't seein' when you just can't spare the time,
Besides you're selling things I just don't feel like buying,
Like guilt and pain,
Fear and shame,
Who to thank, and who to blame,
A set of rules that's bound to keep the living out of life
Who to love and who to hate,
What's too soon and what's too late,
There's some test you have to pass before you feel the love of god

Well I don't need some fear of afterlife,
How the hell is that supposed to help me find the light?
And I don't need you preaching at me day and night
About the things I do and the things I don't,
What I will and what I won't,
There's fire in your eyes sir, and it chills me to the bone

You say you've got it figured out,
And you seem so damn proud about it,
I never really trusted folks who have to talk so loud

So thanks alot man, but I'll be moving on
Yours is a hateful sermon, and it takes too goddamned long
See, life is short and I'm gonna find mine searching for the light

Yes I'm searching for the light
Searching for the light...


Lyrics submitted by Poofengle

Things You're Selling song meanings
Add Your Thoughts

2 Comments

sort form View by:
  • 0
    General Comment

    I think these lyrics indicate that people who use guilt, pain and shame in order to abuse a person and to get them to agree with their opinions can never really get their message across in a meaningful way. The singer wants to be positive about life. Most of the time the people who say they have it all figured out have been damaged and guilty themselves. For example failing marriages, second marriages, addictions, lacking integrity in their dealings with others, etc. So what this is really about is judgement (perhaps religion perhaps not) and the singer isn't judging others because he is basically saying we are all damaged in some way. So why be hurtful to others?

    Arachidamiaon March 29, 2010   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
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
"Fast car" is kind of a continuation of Bruce Springsteen's "Born to Run." It has all the clawing your way to a better life, but in this case the protagonist never makes it with her love; in fact she is dragged back down by him. There is still an amazing amount of hope and will in the lyrics; and the lyrics themselve rank and easy five. If only music was stronger it would be one of those great radio songs that you hear once a week 20 years after it was released. The imagery is almost tear-jerking ("City lights lay out before us", "Speeds so fast felt like I was drunk"), and the idea of starting from nothing and just driving and working and denigrating yourself for a chance at being just above poverty, then losing in the end is just painful and inspiring at the same time.
Album art
Bron-Y-Aur Stomp
Led Zeppelin
This is about bronies. They communicate by stomping.
Album art
Holiday
Bee Gees
@[Diderik:33655] "Your a holiday!" Was a popular term used in the 50s/60s to compliment someone on their all around. For example, not only are they beautiful, but they are fun and kind too ... just an all around "holiday". I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
Album art
Magical
Ed Sheeran
How would you describe the feeling of being in love? For Ed Sheeran, the word is “Magical.” in HIS three-minute album opener, he makes an attempt to capture the beauty and delicacy of true love with words. He describes the magic of it all over a bright Pop song produced by Aaron Dessner.
Album art
Amazing
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran tells a story of unsuccessfully trying to feel “Amazing.” This track is about the being weighed down by emotional stress despite valiant attempts to find some positivity in the situation. This track was written by Ed Sheeran from the perspective of his friend. From the track, we see this person fall deeper into the negative thoughts and slide further down the path of mental torment with every lyric.