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Best Imitation of Myself Lyrics

I feel like a quote out of context
Withholding the rest
So I can be for you what you want to see
I got the gesture and sound
Got the timing down
It's uncanny, yeah, you think it was me
Do you think I should take a class
To lose my Southern accent
Did I make me up, or make the face till it stuck
I do the best imitation of myself

The 'problem with you' speech
You gave me was fine
I liked the theories about my little stage
And I swore I was listening
But I started drifting
Around the part about me acting my age
Now if it's all the same
I've people to entertain
I juggle one-handed
Do some magic tricks and
The best imitation of myself

Maybe I'm thinking myself in a hole
Wondering, who I am when I ought to know
Straighten up now time to go
Fool somebody else, fool somebody else

Last night I was east with them
And west within
Trying to be for you what you want to see
But I can't help it with you
The good and bad comes through
Don't want you hanging out with
No one but me
Now if it's all the same
It comes from a different place
And if my mind's somewhere else
You won't be able to tell
I do the best imitation of myself
Yes it's uncanny to see
You'd really think it was me
The best imitation of myself
Do the best imitation of myself
Song Info
Submitted by
dank On Nov 26, 2001
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14 Meanings

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Cover art for Best Imitation of Myself lyrics by Ben Folds Five

This song has got some of the greatest lines. "Maybe I'm thinking myself in a hole...", "I feel like a quote out of context"...

I think a lot of people can identify with this song.. I think most people have at some point in their lives been a shadow of themselves to please another person (and if not, more power to ya) or have not been their true true selves.. but instead a 'best imitation'.

Cover art for Best Imitation of Myself lyrics by Ben Folds Five

I want to have Ben Folds' babies

Cover art for Best Imitation of Myself lyrics by Ben Folds Five

this song represents me. Very well. somehow it sort of deals with being someone for somebody else. other things..too. not easily explainable

Cover art for Best Imitation of Myself lyrics by Ben Folds Five

this song is me in so many ways. the line that talks about the "acting my age speech" reminds me of the the many talks i have with my parents about the very same thing.

i love this song. i think i can relate to it in some ways.. but i love how in this song thhey know who they are, despite the show they put on for other people. it kind of gives me hope, when i feel like i can relate."Last night I was east with them And west within Trying to be for you what you wanna see But I can't help it with you The good and bad comes through Don't want you hanging out with No one but " like right here, i love how they talk about when theyre with a person they can't help but be themselves, and then at the end theyre basically saying theyd be anyone for this one person if they would just hang around.

Cover art for Best Imitation of Myself lyrics by Ben Folds Five

It just shows that no one is always how we percieve them. I know that when I'm with people my age (17) im a little immature and goofy. But when im with adults im the exact opposite. Im always a different person to fit in with the surrounding group.

Cover art for Best Imitation of Myself lyrics by Ben Folds Five

I think this just shows that natural inclination for people to change around every differant group of people. its kind of sad that hes become a pro at faking who he is, but then again most people put on an act. This is such an easy song to relate to.

Cover art for Best Imitation of Myself lyrics by Ben Folds Five

You aren't who you really are, you're pretending to be someone everyone else wants because who you really are isn't "good enough" or so you believe. "The problem with you speech" is like someone telling you to just give up the act, but underneath it all isn't the person they want.

Cover art for Best Imitation of Myself lyrics by Ben Folds Five

I love this song. It's so great. It's so about being someone you aren't even though everyone knows you as that person. Pretending. All the time. Which sucks, by the way. Such a good song.

Cover art for Best Imitation of Myself lyrics by Ben Folds Five

sha sha's right

Last night I was east with them And west within Trying to be for you what you wanna see

perfect example