Falling over backwards for you, falling over everybody else
I put myself in that position every single time I had the chance
I know it's not my business to be digging up these things I should've known
But twenty years of bad decisions haven't taught me much at all

I permit the advance you're making; everyone pretends it's not your fault
And all of this offense you're taking doesn't bother me at all
Twist my arm if that's the way you think you're gonna work this whole thing out
You know you own my body, but don't think you control my mouth

(Having every question answered isn't going to help at all)

When you're not supposed to know
Anything

Another textbook situation, everything I think I know I've read
What's the point if medication only makes me wish that I were dead?
It's pretty clear that you want me; it's written here on every single page
Spitting blood, not stupid, I can read it all over your face

(Having every question answered isn't going to help at all)

When you're not supposed to know
Anything


Lyrics submitted by myouds

Textbook Lyrics as written by Keith Murray Christopher Cain

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

Lyrics powered by LyricFind

Textbook song meanings
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17 Comments

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  • +1
    General Comment

    Keith's trying to please everyone around him, specifically this one person. He knows exactly what a person knows, he 'read it in a book', but 'having every question answered doesnt help'. just because he's read all the books on how to please, doens't mean he'll be able to please this one specific person. and this person he's trying to please really sucks. they're trying to get keith not to say or think something, maybe? they've got total control over his body, but none whatsoever on what he says or thinks. 'Twist my arm if that's the way you think you're gonna work this whole thing out/you know you own my body but don't think that you control my mouth'. that's why having every question answered doesn't help when you're not supposed to help, because she doesn't want him to know anything. and then the rest...I just don't know. the 'i'm smitten but not stupid' part's a bit obvious. he really likes her, but he can see right through her and knows she sucks. It's a textbook situation, because it's something you see all the time, whether it be on the t.v. or in a book.

    that's all I've got.

    boneyon May 21, 2006   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    this is the best song on the album, i think.

    Somaliveon October 31, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    OH ITS WELL GAY.

    benisascientiston January 14, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    i think this song is about when guitarist and singer keith murray met tina turner and borrowed her, 'textbook' a nice little book on the ins an out of life, oliver peer once read this book and felt an almost uncanny resembelence to write songs almost exactly like w.a.s so so putting it down to fate i am almost certain it is that keith has read this book and felt obliged to wwrite a monatage to tina herself and im almost sure that when he 'falls down the stairs' it is because he is too busy reading i am what i am (tina's life biography). well thank you and i am sure that is what it is about any suggestions?

    benisascientiston January 14, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    ASDGG

    benisascientiston January 14, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    .

    benisascientiston January 14, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Tina Turner is a gay witch, she lives on a farm with twenty horses and then they are march down the main street angrily chanting, 'out out out W.A.S.'. Bastards.

    _ellieon January 18, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Hey, sure, why not.

    sonatinaon February 23, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    boney wins.

    universal remonsteron May 22, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    thank you!

    finally, an accomplishment I can be proud of.

    boneyon May 27, 2006   Link

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