If You Can't Leave It Be, Might as Well Make It Bleed

Now if this isn't a Dashboard song title, I don't know what is....

I really like this song a lot...but I don't think it is about cutting yourself. I mean, it very well could be, but I think that Chris is referring to just letting the emotions flow and letting the heart "bleed". You know? And he's basically saying, "Well...if you can't forget about the pain or ignore it, might as well let it all flow..." That's just my opinion on it.

i just take the title as something that is so far gone its just better to get rid of it all together

like its not getting better and you cant leave it be so just make it bleed and get it over with

You guys are funny, this song is DEFINITELY not about cutting. That's friggin rediculous. It's about heartbreak.

i know exactly what the cutting people are talking about, it describes that shit to a T, but it's a metaphor for something bigger, whatever that "something" may be. i highly, highly doubt that chris carrabba cuts himself. but, the great thing about poetry is that it can mean to you whatever you want it to mean. thats what's so beautiful. if you want to take it literally, and relate to the cutting, than, do so. if you want to take it in it's metaphorical meaning, than do so. because you're ALL right. i personally know its a metaphor, but i like to take it literally, as something to relate to, because i tend to "trace the scars, fit the pieces, tell your story, dont need to say a word", like remembering my past, y'knows?

Its a good song, what do you think he means by it?

i love this song, and the first live version is so funny when he tells the guy to shut up

peoples addiction to plastic surgey and having what one has is never good enough

Lookie here...

Wow about cutting yourself? I never thought of it that way. Maybe because Im so used to Dashboards other albums about lost loves, heartbreaks, etc...but maybe you are right. Still, I have another interpretation of this song. I think it is about one person (the narrarator) taking advantage of an inferior, even weaker person. At first Chris talks about how the person is surprised to find out the narrarator is toying with her emotions. The narrarator announces it blantantly and doesnt seem sorry. It was a faultless execution that had been carefully planned out. The narrarator was able to take advantage of the other person because she was vulnerable and weak, just a willing cadaver. The narrarator cuts her open, takes her apart emotionally, then puts her back together and convinces her its fine. A cycle. Cuts leaving creases might even be a metaphor...maybe she is looked at as the neighborhood whore. Or someone who is known to be vulnerable in situations. She doesnt need to say a word for people to know just who she is. Chris even makes a direct reference to the narrarator who admits to being a "wretch" and had nothing better to do than to use the weaker person because "if you cant let it be, MIGHT AS WELL make it bleed." And basically the rest of the song is explaining how unopinionated the other person was and how easily she let the narrarator fool and take advantage of her. She's bruising too easy, falling behind, and no one is even waiting for her. Not even the narrarator, who was the person who decieved her in the first place. The narrarator then goes on to admit how he will continue using her ("cant save the rest from me") and she will STAY vulnerable, weak and an inferior to him ("you were not made to stand and fight, theres something better wrong with you") It is pretty sad, but I really think that is what Chris is talking about. Just such a weak and pathetic person. Cant help but to seize the opportunity right? But I do think of the self-harm interpretation now. Thats interesting. It makes sense. Well I love to argue about song meanings haha so post your opinions or just im me about it. thanks!