This song seemingly tackles the methods of deception those who manipulate others use to get victims to follow their demands, as well as diverting attention away from important issues. They'll also use it as a means to convince people to hate or kill others by pretending acts of terrorism were committed by the enemy when the acts themselves were done by the masters of control to promote discrimination and hate. It also reinforces the idea that these manipulative forces operate in various locations, infiltrating everyday life without detection, and propagate any and everywhere.
In general, it highlights the danger of hidden agendas, manipulation, and distraction, serving as a critique of those who exploit chaos and confusion to control and gain power, depicting a cautionary tale against falling into their traps. It encourages us to question the narratives presented to us and remain vigilant against manipulation in various parts of society.
I can't keep a straight face and say this is not the end
Not if you want it it's upon us and I wanna say it's sinking in
If I was hasty maybe I was rushed along
I won't move into little boxes and then not get the itch to move on
So think real slow
Don't forget that yes is yes and no is no
Melting prints of grass and snow
Means I may forget the way to get back home
'Cause this is the end if you want it
This is the end
You're not the first thing in my life I've loved and lost
Yeah I've thought worse things that
I might be less inclined to merely just shrug off
You'll take me home
Like my family did my father did I know
You'll think real slow
But don't forget the speed that I can go away
'Cause this is the end if you want it
Yeah this is the end
I've been convincing myself that I'm worthwhile
'Cause I'm worth what I'll convince myself to be
I met the devil and I stared her in the eyes
Her hair had scales like silver serpents
I, a statue, stood there mesmerized
I took the fire escape and made it out alive
Yeah I still burn from time to time but I've a healing hand against my side
Blisters on my feet I crawled back home
Frozen from the sleet burned sand and stones
Nourished back to life by life alone
With one shake of the mane regain the throne
Not if you want it it's upon us and I wanna say it's sinking in
If I was hasty maybe I was rushed along
I won't move into little boxes and then not get the itch to move on
So think real slow
Don't forget that yes is yes and no is no
Melting prints of grass and snow
Means I may forget the way to get back home
'Cause this is the end if you want it
This is the end
You're not the first thing in my life I've loved and lost
Yeah I've thought worse things that
I might be less inclined to merely just shrug off
You'll take me home
Like my family did my father did I know
You'll think real slow
But don't forget the speed that I can go away
'Cause this is the end if you want it
Yeah this is the end
I've been convincing myself that I'm worthwhile
'Cause I'm worth what I'll convince myself to be
I met the devil and I stared her in the eyes
Her hair had scales like silver serpents
I, a statue, stood there mesmerized
I took the fire escape and made it out alive
Yeah I still burn from time to time but I've a healing hand against my side
Blisters on my feet I crawled back home
Frozen from the sleet burned sand and stones
Nourished back to life by life alone
With one shake of the mane regain the throne
Lyrics submitted by dangribbin, edited by jdafeb25
(If You Want It) Lyrics as written by Thiessen Call
Lyrics © SONGS MUSIC PUBLISHING
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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I would totally agree with Falciase, but i belive this song conclues the album's emotional mess of a break up. It is not to get back at her or to just complain, or sumarize his life, but to conclude his life that "It is the end" only if he lets it be. This is a status of declaration to others whom might find themselves in the same situation.
The song is a warning because the context he uses talking in the second person. He is giving advice and allows others (and in a sense himself) to learn from this mistake. And Falciase, would agree, a song like this is a good wake up call when someone finds themself in one of these relationships you talk about that would replace a relationship with God.
Finaly, the line about meeting the devil is a testimonial that he was able to foolishly get that close, and that hot in the fire, and still make it out alive. However not with out a burn, blistered feet crawling back to God who will lift him back up onto his feet and remind him what he has worth. To repair him and let him move on with his life and finaly find his way back home.
sup genius
This song is phenomenal. Here are my thoughts that haven't been pointed out thus far:
1.) "I met the devil and I stared her in the eyes, Her hair had scales like silver serpents, I a statue, stood there mesmerized..." Supposedly, Matt and his ex-fiance's breakup occurred because of him cheating on her [according to her anyhow]. If this is the case, perhaps the 'devil' he is referencing is the girl that perhaps he cheated with? Sounds like she seduced him, and it would seem he's very sorry. Just a thought. I definitely don't believe the devil he is talking about is his ex-fiance, as the rest of the album makes the point very clear that he still has/had feelings for her. No negative references to her anyhow. That's below Matt Thiessen :P
2.) "With one shake of the mane regain the throne" I believe this is speaking of something that's happened to me before. I've found that often when I get into a relationship, the girl I'm in the relationship with can completely replace God as my main focus-- I can idolize the girl. When a breakup occurs, the girl is gone, and I'm completely depressed. Then God's like, "o hai, remember me? yah i'm the important one here." God's the only one you can always count on, and he's always there for you. Sometimes we just forget that though.
That first thing would make sense especially with the line "I a statue stood there mesmerized."<br /> I agree.
It doesn't make sense, though, because he says he made it out alive; but just barely. I think he means he didn't really cheat on her, but considered it. Barely got out of it, and still regrets those thoughts from time to time (burns) but knows he was forgiven by God.<br /> <br /> OR<br /> <br /> He was tricked and disowned by his Fiance by no fault of his own, hence him talking about crawling back home and being nourished bact to life by life (God.) Sounds like he feels like he got an emotional beating and found God to be his only refuge. <br /> <br /> Personally, I don't think he cheated. I love this album and I've listened to it so many times, and I think, if he had, they would be filled with more remorse. Sure, they're mournful and sorrowful and full of pain, but they don't sound very regretful or remorseful, at least not the level I think you'd be if you cheated on your fiance.<br /> <br /> Not that it's any of anyone's business anyway. It's great music and very relatable and certainly beautiful. Isn't that what music is supposed to be?
Relient K never fails to end their albums with an exceptional song!!
I love this album, but it is not one to listen to on shuffle, it gets really weird.
true dat
Ya i agree on that, the whole album kind of unfolds on itself, into a sad story type of thing... I like it and do have to agree it is one their most "Mature" albums they have ever done... i really do have to say this album is epically amazing and chucked full of relient k amazingness
Amazing song. I should download this. This is my favorite song.
Though I could be wrong, this song sounds like a song written about his ex-fiance.
A perfect ending to the album by Relient K, yet again. This is definitely seems like it's about his ex-fiance. The last verse about meeting the devil and staring into her eyes is brilliance and has given me shivers on every listen. The piano during the "I've been convincing myself that I'm worthwhile/cause I'm worth what I'll convince myself to be" is haunting. Great ending to their most mature album (and very possibly their best, at least certainly in a long time).
agreed. agreed. agreed. agreed. agreed. agreed.<br /> mathew thiessen's brilliance is astonishing.
In an interview Matt Theissen said that this entire album was about the break up with his (ex)fiance.
I LOVE the subtle string accompaniment in some parts. And like pnw13 said, the part that goes "I met the devil and i stared her in the eyes" is so hauntingly beautiful.
Anyone think the last line could be a Aslan (from the Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe) reference? "With one shake of the mane regain the throne." With one shake of the mane, you're forgiven and you can be better. Just a thought...
Or it could be a straight reference to Jesus as the Lion of Judah.
Or both, since Aslan is a direct reference to Jesus...
Since this whole CD is very unified and all the songs tie into one another, I'm pretty sure this line refers to the song "Sahara" earlier in the album. <br /> <br /> "The Lion on his side,<br /> Was it the lying or his pride which brought him down?<br /> Once the king of beasts, but now they feast<br /> On the thoughts beneath his faking crown.<br /> Trying to decide, was it the lying or the pride which brought him down?<br /> To be alone to be dethroned- believe me, I know all about it now"<br /> <br /> That song is about the pain and anger and raw emotion, while this one is about acceptance. "With one shake of the mane, regain the throne."