In regards to the meaning of this song:
Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
Well I just found the fence where I am going to lean
Take my handkerchief out and rub my eyeglasses clean
So I just learned my face, but I forgot my name
I'm gonna wear this smile like it's some stupid toupee
And say, "Oh, oh, oh, oh, that's too bad"
Oh, I just learned your face, but it is bound to change
You can say what you want but try to think it my way
And say, "Oh, oh, oh, this wicked campaign"
I said, "Oh, oh, oh, this was not my plan"
Well, you know I'm a bastard and we only just met
I guess I probably shouldn't wear this big old sign 'round my neck
I've still got some opinions that I'm willing to claim
I'm gonna carry them around like they're some wicked campaign
I started the debate, but now I'm sure I can't win
I should probably just exit the same way I came in
Well counted calculator, you didn't calculate this
But there's a lot more nothing than you knew exists
Oh, oh, oh, this wicked campaign
I said, "Oh, oh, oh, this was not my plan"
Oh, oh, oh, this wicked campaign
Every day is a wicked campaign
Well, I just found the fence where I am going to lean
Take my handkerchief out and rub my eyeglasses clean
And just wait
And just wait and wait, wait, wait
I'm not dead but I misplaced the will
I'm gonna wear this smile like it's a hundred dollar bill
And just wait, wait, wait
Wait, wait, wait, wait
I'm not a doctor, but I'll sell you an itch
I could apologize, but then a bit more nothing exists
So the worlds got plenty of good and bad liars
But our lies should come with chariots and choirs
Singing, "Oh, oh, oh, things are not so bad"
And we sing, "Oh, oh, oh, it's our wicked campaign"
And they sing, "Oh, oh, oh, things are not so bad"
We sing, "Oh, oh, oh, what a wicked campaign"
Take my handkerchief out and rub my eyeglasses clean
So I just learned my face, but I forgot my name
I'm gonna wear this smile like it's some stupid toupee
And say, "Oh, oh, oh, oh, that's too bad"
Oh, I just learned your face, but it is bound to change
You can say what you want but try to think it my way
And say, "Oh, oh, oh, this wicked campaign"
I said, "Oh, oh, oh, this was not my plan"
Well, you know I'm a bastard and we only just met
I guess I probably shouldn't wear this big old sign 'round my neck
I've still got some opinions that I'm willing to claim
I'm gonna carry them around like they're some wicked campaign
I started the debate, but now I'm sure I can't win
I should probably just exit the same way I came in
Well counted calculator, you didn't calculate this
But there's a lot more nothing than you knew exists
Oh, oh, oh, this wicked campaign
I said, "Oh, oh, oh, this was not my plan"
Oh, oh, oh, this wicked campaign
Every day is a wicked campaign
Well, I just found the fence where I am going to lean
Take my handkerchief out and rub my eyeglasses clean
And just wait
And just wait and wait, wait, wait
I'm not dead but I misplaced the will
I'm gonna wear this smile like it's a hundred dollar bill
And just wait, wait, wait
Wait, wait, wait, wait
I'm not a doctor, but I'll sell you an itch
I could apologize, but then a bit more nothing exists
So the worlds got plenty of good and bad liars
But our lies should come with chariots and choirs
Singing, "Oh, oh, oh, things are not so bad"
And we sing, "Oh, oh, oh, it's our wicked campaign"
And they sing, "Oh, oh, oh, things are not so bad"
We sing, "Oh, oh, oh, what a wicked campaign"
Lyrics submitted by Mellow_Harsher
Wicked Campaign Lyrics as written by Isaac Brock Dann Gallucci
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Sentric Music
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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I think this song is about a guy who is bad at relationships.
He sees himself as broken:
"Well counted, calculator, you didn't calculate this That there's a lot more nothing than you knew exists"
I think the "nothing" he is talking about is himself, and he uses being an asshole to conceal this deep emptiness him. He continues a "wicked campaign"against any potential lover.
That said. It's Modest Mouse - you know he be talkin' about at least 5 things at once in this.