Well, I guess by the blood stain of your lips
And the wander of your fingertips
I should prove true to my emptiness
And stay here

Well, I'm just a kid of ill repute
But the skin I wear is my only suit
And you, you're just a substitute
For the one that I hold dear

You know, you could be anyone
God forgive my tasteless tongue
I never should have been set free

I claw my eyes, I skin my face
Beg somehow to be replaced
That's how we deal with boys like me

Well, I guess for this world so sick with loss
And your service is so free of cost
I should climb down off my rugged cross
And lay with you

But you know, by now it's half past late
And I only came here for escape
You you're just my next mistake
Like me to you

You know, you could be anyone
God forgive your unborn sons
I hope they don't end up like me

I drag my mind through streets of shame
Lay myself forgive the game
That's how we deal with boys like me

But despite what you've been told
I once had a soul
Left somewhere behind
A former friend of mine

And I hate to speak so free
But you mean nothing to me
So if the street lights they shine bright
I?ll get home tonight

I guess by the dim light in your eyes
And that to you all things come as a surprise
I should set the steel trap of your thighs
And dive right in

But to you I'm just a confused child
Insecure or in denial
Go raise your robes, go have your trial
I?ll let you win

You know, I could be anyone
God forgive what I should've done
A thoughts enough to guilty be

Yes, I guess I made this bed
But I?ll take the sidewalk instead
That's how we deal with boys like me

But despite what you've been told
I once had a soul
Left somewhere behind
A former friend of mine

And I hate to sound so true
But I mean nothing to you
So, if the street lights they shine bright
I?ll be home tonight



Lyrics submitted by jan.r, edited by ahle6481

Despite What You've Been Told Lyrics as written by Tyson H.d. Vogel Adam Hayworth Stephens

Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.

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Despite What You've Been Told song meanings
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22 Comments

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  • +3
    General CommentThis song is about the emptiness of meaningless sex and how in the end it is just meaningless. He has come to terms with it: "You know you could be anyone/
    God forgive my tasteless tongue" but regrets losing someone he actually loved: "And you you’re just a substitute/For the one that I hold dear". He holds no illusions about what this is going to be and knows she doesn't either: "And I only came here for escape/You, you’re just my next mistake/Like me to you" but wants to be forgiven because he is not just taking advantage of her because at least they are both aware of what this is going to be. This is not his first time doing this and obviously has a reputation: "But despite what you’ve been told/I once had a soul" and is doing this is almost in a mechanical way, but deep down longs for nothing more than the return of his true love.
    Pennywisd0mon October 07, 2008   Link
  • +2
    General CommentWait, wait: But Steena wears my only suit is now my all-time favorite misinterpreted lyric on songmeanings. Steena? Really? Fantastic. I think this and "trembling of the rose" are my two favorite tracks on this album--for an extra treat head over to daytrotter.com for some in-studio recordings by TWO GALLANTS that are fairly incredible.
    The Ligeron April 24, 2008   Link
  • +2
    General CommentI don't believe it's the loss of a specific girlfriend that's feeding his emotion, but rather the jaded resolution that we're all covering up our scars only to do the same thing over again. There just seems to be a more fatalistic and hopeless reasoning to everything. "You, you're just my next mistake/like me to you" and "god forgive your unborn sons/i hope they dont end up like me" are good examples, not to mention great lyrics.
    gablegroveon September 10, 2009   Link
  • +1
    General Commentthe skin i wear is my only suit
    naiveunsatisfiableon September 13, 2007   Link
  • +1
    General Commenti agree, i think he's singing to a rebound girl, he knows he's still in love with his last girlfriend, and he's trying to move on, but he just can't, he's still completely emotionally attached. he feels bad for what he's going to do, and he knows its a mistake. he's lost in his thoughts of how he wishes he was someone else, and he knows he will never love this new girl, its just something to do in the meantime.
    willdanceforloveon March 01, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Commenthere are the correct lyrics or at least much closer in some ways

    I guess by the bloodstain of your lips
    And the wander of your fingertips
    I should prove true to my emptyness
    And stay here

    Well i’m just a kid of ill repute
    But Skin wears my only suit ?????
    And you you’r just a substitute
    For the one that i hold dear

    You know you could be anyone
    God forgive my tasteless tongue
    I never should have been set free

    I carve my eyes, i skin my face
    And beg some how to be replaced
    That’s how we deal with boys like me

    i guess by this world so sick with loss
    And your services so free of cost
    I should climb down of my rugged cross
    And lay with you

    But you know by now it’s half past late
    And i only came here for escape
    You, you’re just my next mistake
    Like me to you

    You know you could be anyone
    God forgive your unborn sons
    I hope they don’t end up like me

    I drag my mind through streets of shame
    Blame myself, forgive the game
    That’s how we deal with boys like me

    But despite what you’ve been told
    I once had a soul
    Left somewhere behind
    A former friend of mine

    And i hate to speak so free
    But you mean nothing to me
    So if the streetlights they shine bright
    I’ll be home tonight


    I guess by the dim light in your eyes
    And that to you all things come as a surprise
    I should set the steel trap of your thighs
    And dive right in

    To you i’m just a confused child
    Insecure or in denial
    Go raise your robes, go have your trial
    I’ll let you in

    You know i could be anyone
    God forgive what i should have done
    My thoughts enough to kill tv

    And yes, i guess i made this bed
    But i’ll take the sidewalk instead
    That’s how we deal with boys with me

    But despite what you’ve been told
    I once had a soul
    Left somewhere behind
    A former friend of mine

    And i hate to sound so true
    But i mean nothing to you
    So with the streetlights they shine bright
    I’ll be home tonight
    play2win1986on September 27, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General CommentPretty simple song... about being in love with somebody and not being about to have that person, so you find somebody to fill that void, a substitute, but deep down you know there is nothing there and it's f***ed up and cruel but it's the truth and he's bitter about what he can't have and just being honest with her. I love this song because I been in that boat and when I hear him sing and have so much passion about it, it just really touches me. Wonderful song!
    ckad79on October 13, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General CommentThis song is my "You're so vain" song. The most important part that I think was missed is that it's a two way street of depression. While he may feel dead and empty so does she and they both use each other.

    Also, it's "Go raise your robes, go hold your trial" and my Thoughts enough to kill TV should be "My thoughts enough to guilty be".
    Route666on December 04, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Commentanyone have or know of where to find accurate tabs for this song besides the chords on ultimate guitar?
    Nosliw Pilfon December 06, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General CommentCouple corrections: Well someone already mentioned the first one- "the skin I wear's my only suit". Second, I think right after trial, he says "I'll let you win". And thank you Play2win for supplying MUCH more accurate lyrics. =)
    Saccharineon January 29, 2008   Link

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