Please accept this
as a token
of my sincere gratitude
I'm not joking

There's the singing
the provoking
and all the promises made
That were broken

Do I love you?
Yes I love you
But easy come, easy go
Don't let me down


Lyrics submitted by ReelinReverse, edited by TheLiquidActor, aiseruchan

A Token of Gratitude song meanings
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7 Comments

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  • +2
    General Comment

    I also think it's possible that this song is sang to his fans. Basically an apology to all the indie fans out there who have to watch these great bands with so much talent fall further into the shadows, struggling to survive while crap bands remain in the spotlight. I think Johan Duncanson is asking us to stay sincere in a way.

    eplate2on August 18, 2011   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    so unbelievably beautiful. It sounds like a sun setting.

    Calder75on January 18, 2011   Link
  • +1
    My Interpretation

    The song is about a breakup. The narrator is giving someone to their partner as a goodbye gift.

    Some reflection about the relationship is done - singing together, provoking different sorts of emotions (perhaps sadness, anger, resentment to due the broken promises)

    The narrator loves the other person. Their love was formed quickly, and "easy go" is a cope to keep the other person calm. "Don't let me down" - just take this gift because I appreciate what we had, but it's over now.

    skywizon May 10, 2020   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    I wonder if there is any play on words with "Token" and "Tokin", as in, smoking marijuana. Probably the most cryptic song on Clinging to a Scheme, and all I can imagine is him offering a girl he likes some MJ.

    2006200720082009on July 10, 2011   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Clinging To A Scheme is about the downfall of the music industry. This song I think is basically Johan Duncanson speaking about the creativity behind music and trying to cope with watching it sail away into nothing as bands like Nickleback somehow enjoy success in the music world. Bands like The Radio Dept. who are incredibly talented are kind of a symbol of all the other bands who are great but go unnoticed.

    eplate2on August 18, 2011   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    I think this song could be a not-so-subtle message about the band's issues with Labrador Records. The band felt they had signed their Labrador contract when they were young, and as the years went by, they realized the contract was not in their best interest. Labrador wanted to hold them to the terms of the contract. The band sued to get out of the contract and eventually settled with the label. In various interviews, Johan Duncanson has stated that he appreciated the outlet the band was provided in their formative years, but they (the band) wanted to retain some measure of control over their work after they were finished with Labrador.

    It should also be noted that Duncanson and the band have stated they often employ lyrics that can be interpreted in multiple ways.

    I think Duncanson is telling the label he sincerely appreciates all they have done ("Please accept this as a token of my sincere gratitude"), but problems have arisen ("There's the singing, the provoking, and all the promises made that were broken"). Now he accepts the relationship is ending ("Do I love you? Yes, I love you, but easy come, easy go"), and he wants the label to do what is right and act in good faith {"Don't let me down").

    wdavidreynoldson January 17, 2023   Link
  • -2
    My Interpretation

    is the token of gratitude maybe him taking his girlfriend back who had perhaps cheated on him - the broken promises, but reminds her that he wont take her back again,but in pleading not to let him down, he hopes that she'll never break her promises again

    nohigginson September 03, 2010   Link

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