A woman came up to me and said
"I'd like to poison your mind
With wrong ideas that appeal to you
Though I am not unkind"
She looked at me, I looked at something
Written across her scalp
And these are the words that it faintly said
As I tried to call for help

There's only one thing that I know how to do well
And I've often been told that you only can do
What you know how to do well
And that's be you,
Be what you're like,
Be like yourself,
And so I'm having a wonderful time
But I'd rather be whistling in the dark
Whistling in the dark
Whistling in the dark
Whistling in the dark
Whistling in the dark
Whistling in the dark
There's only one thing that I like
And that is whistling in the dark

A man came up to me and said
"I'd like to change your mind
By hitting it with a rock," he said,
"Though I am not unkind."
We laughed at his little joke
And then I happily walked away
And hit my head on the wall of the jail
Where the two of us live today.

There's only one thing that I know how to do well
And I've often been told that you only can do
What you know how to do well
And that's be you,
Be what you're like,
Be like yourself,
And so I'm having a wonderful time
But I'd rather be whistling in the dark
Whistling in the dark
Whistling in the dark
Whistling in the dark
Whistling in the dark
Whistling in the dark
There's only one thing that I like
And that is whistling in the dark

There's only one thing that I know how to do well
And I've often been told that you only can do
What you know how to do well
And that's be you,
Be what you're like,
Be like yourself,
And so I'm having a wonderful time
But I'd rather be whistling in the dark
Whistling in the dark
Whistling in the dark
Whistling in the dark
Whistling in the dark
Whistling in the dark
Whistling, whistling
Whistling in the dark

Whistling (whistling), whistling (whistling)
Dark (dark), Dark (dark)
Whistling (whistling), whistling (whistling)
Dark (dark), Dark (dark)
Whistling (whistling), whistling (whistling)
Dark (dark), Dark (dark)
Whistling (whistling), whistling (whistling)
Dark (dark), Dark (dark)

Whistling (whistling), whistling (whistling)
Dark (dark), Dark (dark)
Whistling (whistling), whistling (whistling)
Dark (dark), Dark (dark)
Whistling (whistling), whistling (whistling)
Dark (dark), Dark (dark)
Whistling (whistling), whistling (whistling)
Dark (dark), Dark (dark)

Whistling (whistling), whistling (whistling)
Dark (dark), Dark (dark)
Whistling (whistling), whistling (whistling)
Dark (dark), Dark (dark)
Whistling (whistling), whistling (whistling)
Dark (dark), Dark (dark)
Whistling (whistling), whistling (whistling)
Dark (dark), Dark (dark)


Lyrics submitted by Irrational

Whistling in the Dark Lyrics as written by John Linnell John Flansburgh

Lyrics © Freibank Musikverlags und vermarktungs GmbH, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.

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Whistling In The Dark song meanings
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  • 0
    General Comment

    You're both right! It's a candy mint AND a breath mint!

    The one poster is correct: "Whistling in the dark" refers to not knowing what the hell you're doing. I think this song is a little koan-like. I mean, if you reject the standard mechanisms for establishing some kind of meaning in your life--becoming a jointer (first stanza), or even just being a regular guy who can give and take a joke (last)--you still have to address the existential question. Why are we here, and why is there No Exit?

    razajacon September 30, 2004   Link

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