We went down to the May parade, mumbled words under my breath
There is something I've been meaning to do, I am dying to tell you
I've been so damned tired

It went down at the May parade, bitter words under my breath
There is something I've been dyin' to do, I was meaning to tell you
I've been so damned sad

Cause I spy something wrong
You don't know how far you've gone
Or recognize who you've become
How'd you grow to be so hard sick of playing my part

We went down at the May parade, alcohol under my breath
There is something I've been meaning to do, I am dying to tell you
I've been so damned sad

Cause I spy something wrong
You don't know how far you've gone
Or recognize who you've become
When'd you grow to be so hard sick of playing my part


Lyrics submitted by wherewulf, edited by Froggy711

I Spy Lyrics as written by Brian A. Rosenworcel Adam S. Gardner

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

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I Spy song meanings
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28 Comments

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  • +1
    General Comment

    May Day Riots of 1919? The lyrics conicidentally correspond very well with this event. I'm not saying this is what I think it's about, but it would make sense. In 1919, Eugene V. Debs was arrested. Charles Ruthenberg organized a protest parade, consisting of unionists, socialists, anarchists, and, most fitting to the song, communists. The "parade" took place on May 1, 1919 (May Day). This would make it during the time of the first Red Scare in the US. Or maybe I just dug too far into it.

    The scarlet letter thing fits too.

    Bravuraon January 25, 2006   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    I believe that this picture is about the time that the Dallas Maverix were losing to the Golden State Warriers and it was the time that Darrius King hit the three pointer in this moovee. THis is why I like this moovee. Where am ?

    JFKBookon March 27, 2011   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    why does everyone always assume the guy is singing about a girl? or a girl is singing about a guy? No one in guster is gay, but to always assume they are singing about another girl is presumptuous. They could be singing about a guy friend who has hurt them in some way or just a friend it doesnt always have to be about a boy/girl relationship

    Atreasure11on May 22, 2012   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    this is my absolute favorite guster song ever. i don't really know why, because it doesn't have any of the usual things i really like - instead of complex harmony, it is very singular, and instead of super-deep lyrics, it's quite repetitive. but i love it. and the lyrics are still good...

    scheisseon May 10, 2002   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    my interpretation of the song is that he's holding something back from his love (at the parade). as time goes on, the situation grows deeper and he wants to tell her more and more, but becomes more hostile. he thinks she has changed into something he doesn't like. he's been so damn sad/mad/tired of being with her and acting like he needs her (playing his part). good song. message me with any thoughts.

    abchak1on June 20, 2002   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    This is also my favorite guster song. The lyrics are repetitive, but that's what makes them so good. Each verse changes the words ever so slightly so the tone can drop as the song unfolds. He's obviously realized his relationship has gone sour, based on the fact that she has begun to take him for granted. I relate to the line "sick of playing my part" all too well. Anyone else ever been casted for the part of boyfriend in some girl's drama?

    davidecoyoteon April 22, 2003   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    This has song has so much meaning to me...i love guster...too me it means that the speaker is stuck acting and being someone he isn't, and his/her lover is causing him to change into this person that he/she doesn't like. This is like what happened to me and one of my ex's...but I drank too much and cheated on her..."alcohol under my breath"

    RofRideredon April 23, 2003   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    i think the reason that they repeat the "we went down.." part represents the passing of time. every time it seems to get worse and worse.

    jen110988on July 05, 2003   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    i think he says "alcohol under my breath" cuz its like he's getting closer to tell her what he wants to say cuz usually people open up more and say what they want when theyre drunk

    Madison5on June 15, 2004   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    i noticed that on the live dvd, the lyrics are "we went down to the gay parade" not "may parade." i think the song might have to do with someone coming out about their sexuality "there is something I been dying to do, i been meaning to tell you"

    srosepon June 15, 2004   Link

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