Troublemaker

This song seems like a bit of a character portrayal so to criticize the lyrical content for being too simple would mean that you're kind of misunderstanding the "voice" of the character narrating the song.

For example, considering that Rivers Cuomo went to Harvard, I think it's safe to assume that he actually doesn't think that books are stupid.

So this character who is narrating is a dreamer with high aspirations of fame and fortune, sees himself as a rebel and one-in-a-million "special guy", who considers himself to be above the need for education, family life, popular culture, sports, and also meaningful relationships. He's basically an anti-social douche who thinks he's better than everybody and his fantasy is that one day he will prove this to the world and people will look to him as an idol, but he's "such a mystery" that people will try to study him and not figure him out.

Honestly? I think showbiz is a gathering place for nitwits like this song describes and Rivers has probably run into tons of them. He might even consider himself to be one to some extent given his own course in life, especially when he was younger and still in high school. So he could be reflecting on his earlier years as a young dreamer, or just painting a cynical portrait of a certain type of person he's met in showbiz.

Or maybe he's just making it all up for the sake of telling a story. Who can say? But it's a good song, and I enjoy it for the story it tells.

For those who aren't too familiar with Rivers' history, there are a bunch of subtle and not so subtle references in this song: 1) "don't let me play football" - probably a loose reference to the fact that Rivers had a busted leg as a child and couldn't play sports. instead he took up music, hence the second verse. 2) "moving out to Cherokee" - refers to Cherokee Ave. in Hollywood where Rivers first started writing and recording with Zoom/Avante Garde 3) "people will crane necks to get a glimpse of me and see if i am having sex" - probably refers to the whole media hooplah about his vow of celibacy from 2002-2005. 4) "when it's party time like 1999, I'll party by myself" - seems like a lame rhyme, but it most likely is a subtle reference to when Rivers became a hermit, painted his walls black and sought to perfect the art of songwriting in 1999 before The Green Album.

there's probably more. but the point is - there's a lot more here than what meets the eye

The arts and crafts line and marrying a beyottchhh part make this song incredible. So good.

Although I don't have the best explanation for this song, I think the verse format is a bit odd (the lines are really short) and some of the rhymes sound cheap and unoriginal. I can see why they released Pork and Beans as the single instead of this, although it is definitely a catchy song that can get stuck in your head.

To jack the ball means to steal it; removing the other player's possession "of the ball". Like jacking a car, "He jacked the owner of his car". That's how I see it anyway.

I just love how Rivers manages to rhyme "marrying a bitch" and "having seven kids"...

The song from the first second is a great satire of the supposed cool peopl of the world; they don't need to study because they are too cool to, and all they focus on is their dreams

• think about all of the cool bands out there; my chem, silverstein, etc. they are all basically high school dropouts who really are only good at making songs if you think about it, the simplistic beat of the song can prove a point; all of the great influencial bands out there are only good at making strange noises on guitars and using that skill to shoot up on heroin, become famous when they're 24 for 3-4 years, then realise they're poor and uneducated
• it's the teenage mentality of saying who really needs books, they're for the uncool people with stable jobs
• The line " I picked up a guitar... wishin you would die" is another example of this
• muscians basicall masturbate over the importance of a guitar and music itself as some all powerful thing that is the only great tool of our times. and what do they do wit their tool? they take it and use for stupid rehashed themes about how their life sucks ("heavy metal wishin you would") or how they're haappy, horny , or drunk .
• most don't say it, but what all bands want to do is get laid , the sex refences are there most bands try acting unique but are not really unique at all (that's what genres are for, if your a facepainter, then you alternative) overall, it is a catchy song with a great message; being in a band isn't great/sexy thing, esp if you suck (good charlotte)

party by myself because im such a special guy

deep.

I'll sack the quarterback and jack the brother of the ball.

maybe the rhymes are overly simple or whatever, but this song actually makes some sense to me and is some of Rivers' better lyric writing (in terms of his more recent work). The tone of the song overall seems really cynical, but I think the idea kind of goes along with the whole Pork and Beans thing, that he's not interested in fitting some rockstar mold, he's going to do what he feels is the right thing for him to do, and what he wants to do. These lyrics just aren't as direct and in-your-face as Pork and Beans.