Good arms versus bad arms will win hands down, down
They are built to hold and fit, look how far they go around
You don't need these now that you've found another pair
And the difference is astounding, I should expect, except

Leave the rest at arm's length
Keep your naked flesh under your favourite dress
Leave the rest at arm's length
When they reach out, don't touch them, don't touch them

I decided this decision some six months ago
So I'll stick to my guns, but from now on it's war
I am armed with the past, and the will, and a brick
I might not want you back, but I want to kill him

Leave the rest at arm's length
Keep your naked flesh under your favourite dress
Leave the rest at arm's length
When they reach out, don't touch them, don't touch them

And leave the rest at arm's length
Don't brush with him, he might have diseases
Leave the rest at arm's length
Steer clear of the grasp, girl, run, run away

Leave the rest at arm's length
Just roll over, boy, and don't make me do this
Leave the rest at arm's length
I am armed to the teeth and I'm heavy-set

Leave the rest at arm's length
I'm not ready to see you this happy
Leave the rest at arm's length
I am still in love with you, can't admit it yet


Lyrics submitted by calvins_hobbies, edited by smallwonderrobot, brisingr47

Good Arms vs. Bad Arms Lyrics as written by Scott John Hutchison Grant David Hutchison

Lyrics © DOMINO PUBLISHING COMPANY

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Good Arms vs. Bad Arms song meanings
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  • +3
    General Comment

    I'd also like to add my thoughts on this one. It's obviously about a guy who is still recovering from a breakup, but I interpret the lyrics to mean that while he still loves her and wants nobody else to have her, he has decided not to be with her anymore because he is too proud to do so after whatever happened to cause them to break up.

    Maybe she cheated, or mistreated him in other ways and his sense of self esteem will not let that person back into his life - no matter how strong his feelings are, I would say that the trust is gone - he hates it, but he can't change it.

    He's stuck between a rock and a hard place. He doesn't want her back for what she's done but he also wishes that things were different and they were still together. Maybe he can forgive but can't forget. He still sees her as his girlfriend, and the new man in her life is stepping on his 'territory.'

    He can't win, and the only way he can get over it is to keep everything at arms length. He still wants to kill him though, right in front of his ex - but I don't think he intends to go through with it - I take the song as one of those letters that are never sent. He wants her to know his thoughts, he wants HIM to know too, but instead he's keeping his distance and living in silent anguish, the only comfort being his fantasy about beating her boyfriend to death with a brick.

    regperrinon August 26, 2013   Link

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