Give Judy My Notice

Firstly i have only heard the speed graphic version of this song and i don't see how it could be improved on. The song is about a man in a 'one way' releationship, who devouts himslf to his partner and does everything for her but gets little in return, hes been living just to se her smile! Prior to the relationship the man knew that the girl would eventually settle for him if he tried to win her heart hard enough. As such he is being 'Loved by default'. Said man has had enough of 'being loved by default' he can't take the 'vacuum' that is destroying 'himself' (personality), hes fed up of 'feeling small', and doesn't want to be judy's 'bitch anymore'. the main point in the song is that the relationship has becom LIKE A JOB, hence breaking up with judy being decribed as handing in his notice. He breaks up with her, she crys, but only because he broke up with her before she had the chance to dispose of him. Ergo the tears mean nothing. He is not sorry for breaking up with her.

I think saving the line 'give judy my notice' to last was another ben folds master stroke. The Job/relationship analogy is a good one too.

Of course this is just my interpretation, although i'd be interested to hear an alternative interpreation.

Great song, Great MAn

i'd just like to point something out.

has any one seen the movie saving silverman? it's basically about this guy who has a relationship like the one in the song, completely one sided and he's her bitch basically. well the girl's name is judith...

i found that funny seeing as this if from songs for silverman and judy is short for judith. yeah, thats all i have to say

except for the fact that whoever thinks this is about getting fired from a job...you're ridiculous, READ THE LYRICS

Well personally I can completely relate to this song. The Lyrics seem to be about ending a relationship with someone who has borderline personality disorder. lyrics seem to fit well with dsm iv's symptoms and I can see this having just gotten out of a relationship with someone who is borderline. Very painful and many stick around far too long in these relationships. Idealization of you being super man (I come running when you want me here) then dramatic swing to you being supposedly horrible (and when you want me to I disappear). That's a never ending cycle that you convince yourself will stop but eventually realize wont happen. Borderlines will make you so happy but then it shatters and you realize you're loved by default.

this song is about firing judy from her duties

I think you've got it backwards... I think it's about someone leaving Judy, using the metaphor of quitting.

I agree with prayingmantis, its about being fed up and leaving because its not how it used to be and judy has changed and left you behind.

Beautiful. Definitely my favorite piece of work from Ben's recent releases.

It's about having given up so much of yourself in order to accomodate someone you knew would "eventually" come around and fall in love with you, but that "you" is lost and the narrator can't continue living subdued. He wants appreciation, he wants Judy to feel sorry for the damage she causes, but she doesn't until she's told to... I don't know. It's about a complex emotional situation -- Judy feels the same way, but acts or feels hurt when the narrator brings up the elephant in the room first.

Apologies for the rambling post, but I heart this song. It speaks to me so much and I have enough trouble just figuring myself out. :)

this song gives me chills right from the get go, so amazing

Wow. This is such a wonderful song. I can't get over it and the sad feeling that practically hits me when I play it. <3

when he sings "but it could take a while"...I love what he does with his voice. There's just something about it.