| The All-American Rejects – Gives You Hell Lyrics | 17 years ago |
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When I initially heard this song, I also thought it was about a breakup. I assumed that the singer had gone on to become famous and had hoped that his face would give the woman who broke up with him hell. But, after watching the video, I think the song has a dual meaning. In this song, Tyson Ritter takes on two roles- one as the vocalist in a garage band, and the other as a well settled married man. The married man lives in a very ordinary house. It seems to have come right out of a 60's show. In fact, he and his wife also sleep in separate twin sized beds just as a couple in a sixties show would. Though he loves his wife, his life lacks excitement. His neighbor- a vocalist and a representation of himself- lives in a very colorful home. The neighbor seems to have no worries. He sleeps next to his girlfriend on a huge bed and drinks beer as soon as he wakes up. Throughout the song both personalities are arguing with each other, defending the notion that their lifestyle is better. The band member insists that he wakes "up every evening, with a big smile on my face. And it never feels out of place." Meanwhile, his rival is working the usual, very routine, and very mundane "nine to five" job. But, the married man counters, asking the vocalist "Now where's your picket fence love And where's that shiny car?" Here, he's alluding to the dreams we all have when we are young- the American dream with a house, car, and a picket fence. The homeowner also hints to "a sad sad look in the singer's eyes." This implies that though the band member is doing what he enjoys doing, there is something amiss. He also asks the singer to take back "all your memories they're no good to me." Thereby, hinting to his own unhappiness. Clearly, the homeowner is the vocalist. He was in a band but decided to settle down and get married and have a stable life. Now he is left wondering if he made the wrong decision. He misses who he used to be but at the same time is happy with his life (And truth be told I miss you. And truth be told I'm lying). In actuality, the only way for both to be truly happy is by having the best of both worlds. The band member longs for stability and the husband for the excitement he feels when he makes music. And, so, they switch lives and wives. This way, the band member can still find the stability he longs for. The husband, is reunited with the thrill he felt when he was in a band. |
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