A good man doesn't drink,
And I've been drinking alone.
So what does that make me?
My hands they always shake,
And no one's callin' my phone.
So what does that make me?
I know the kid with his guitar so drunk and anxious,
It's been done to death but tell me what hasn't, I'll try it.
Because I'm selfish enough to want to get better,
But I'm backwards enough not to take any steps to get there.
And when you realize it's a pattern and not a phase,
It's what you've become and it's what you will stay,
That's the ballgame.
'Cause I don't got room in my life for anyone else.
And I've driven away all the people that can help.
And I still don't even know what I need to do to fix myself.

There's a clamp around my chest that tightens every time I lapse into another sorry story,
About my miserable collapse.
A brown box I keep encased in glass and dust off whenever I want your pity.
'Cause lately I've had to come to grips with scope and figure.
How my problems stack up in a world two steps from ruin,
Or maybe it's rapture.
Well either way I realize that my shits about as small as it could be,
But that makes me feel worse for even feeling this bad in the first place.
'Cause there's a war starting soon and all the flags will be waving,
Daniel's twenty year old friend will be ready, and willing, and waiting.
He's a marine and he told me.
And it makes me sad, really really fucking sad,
But at least he'll act.
I'll just bite my tongue and then say
"Daniel you wish him luck, I'll pray that he comes back for mother's sake,"
And then I'll drink those thoughts away,
I've gotten good at that.
'Cause when you realize it's a pattern and not a phase,
It's what you've become and it's what you will stay,
That's the ballgame.


Lyrics submitted by jessay, edited by kayceejayree

Ballgame Lyrics as written by

Lyrics © ROUGH TRADE PUBLISHING

Lyrics powered by LyricFind

Ballgame song meanings
Add Your Thoughts

35 Comments

sort form View by:
  • 0
    General Comment

    one of my favourites.

    kiteweatheron March 31, 2006   Link

Add your thoughts

Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.

Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!

More Featured Meanings

Album art
Light Up The Sky
Van Halen
The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
Album art
Holiday
Bee Gees
@[Diderik:33655] "Your a holiday!" Was a popular term used in the 50s/60s to compliment someone on their all around. For example, not only are they beautiful, but they are fun and kind too ... just an all around "holiday". I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
Album art
Dreamwalker
Silent Planet
I think much like another song “Anti-Matter” (that's also on the same album as this song), this one is also is inspired by a horrifying van crash the band experienced on Nov 3, 2022. This, much like the other track, sounds like it's an extension what they shared while huddled in the wreckage, as they helped frontman Garrett Russell stem the bleeding from his head wound while he was under the temporary effects of a concussion. The track speaks of where the mind goes at the most desperate & desolate of times, when it just about slips away to all but disconnect itself, and the aftermath.
Album art
Gentle Hour
Yo La Tengo
This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version. Great version of a great song,
Album art
Magical
Ed Sheeran
How would you describe the feeling of being in love? For Ed Sheeran, the word is “Magical.” in HIS three-minute album opener, he makes an attempt to capture the beauty and delicacy of true love with words. He describes the magic of it all over a bright Pop song produced by Aaron Dessner.