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Knockin' 'Em Back Lyrics

Well I'm drinkin' once again
Just to make the pills kick in
I'm drinkin', once again there ain't no doubt
You better look out, drinkin' once again
I want to scream and shout
Want to let the bad guys win
Let 'em out
I used to be as sober as a hangin' judge
Now the law has went and left me flat
You better go around, baby, now I won't budge
Thinkin' I'm back
Knockin' 'em back
Knock knockin' 'em back

I'm drinkin', once again
Just to make them pills kick in
And just to see the bad guys win

I used to be as sober as a hangin' judge
Now the law has went and left me flat
Better go around, baby, now I won't budge
I'm back
Knock knockin' 'em back
Knock knockin' 'em back

Here's a dollar, gotta get more money
Here's a bottle, now I'm funny

Drinkin' again
Just to make the pills kick in
Oh you ain't gettin' used to me, at your university
Just want to let the bad guys out

I used to be as sober as a hangin' judge
Now I see the law has left me flat
Out of my way, go around, baby, I won't budge
Knockin' 'em back
Knock knockin' 'em back
Knock knockin' 'em back

Well I know it's almost over, and that ain't no lie
Spirits that I'm drinkin' once again
Last night I got up and I got dressed to cry
Drinkin' again
Drink drinkin' again, drink drinkin' again
Drink drinkin' again, drink drinkin' again, drink drinkin' again
This here to you, baby
3 Meanings

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Cover art for Knockin' 'Em Back lyrics by Paul Westerberg

Self-destructive behavior, alcoholism in this case, positively grotesque in its presentation. Such a happy verse melody, such a heavy, angst-ridden chorus.

The line that really gets me is "i wanna see the bad guys win/let 'em out". To me, that's self-destruction summed up perfectly, whether it's due to drinking, depression, anger, etc...you no longer care about sticking to your morals because you've gotten so low that you just want to say "the hell with all of it." The irony is that this "freeing" act just makes things much worse when you "sober up", whether literally or figuratively.

One of Paul's most brilliant and affecting songs.

Cover art for Knockin' 'Em Back lyrics by Paul Westerberg

good post liltimmy. you are right on. This song is classic westerberg with the lyrics...truth and irony laid out in perfect prose that hits the common man.

Cover art for Knockin' 'Em Back lyrics by Paul Westerberg

Pehaps he striving for alcohol poisoning...or to get up the courage to go screw another female.

 
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