I think much like another song “Anti-Matter” (that's also on the same album as this song), this one is also is inspired by a horrifying van crash the band experienced on Nov 3, 2022. This, much like the other track, sounds like it's an extension what they shared while huddled in the wreckage, as they helped frontman Garrett Russell stem the bleeding from his head wound while he was under the temporary effects of a concussion. The track speaks of where the mind goes at the most desperate & desolate of times, when it just about slips away to all but disconnect itself, and the aftermath.
You got the lawyers and establishment
You got the proof
You got public opinion
And it's all the truth
You got first rate witnesses
Straight from the scene
So the only person guilty
In this court is me
You got forensic evidence
That never lies
You got someone who says
I'm guilty by my eyes
You got lie detectors
That you never use
But I'm the only person here
Who knows the truth
But you never here my voice
Never listen when I talk
Made your mind up in advance
And I'm going to take that walk
Chorus:
You based your case on circumstance
That's all it was and ever will be
And I never stood a chance
The old boys network's stronger than me
My friends and relations
Never gave up hope
That one day you'd listen
And admit you're wrong
But the old school system
Turns another blind eye
And I'm so unimportant
That I might as well die
And you never here my voice
Never listen when I shout
You put me in here long ago
And I'm never getting out
(Chorus x 2)
Now the truth has been unearthed
And opinion moves my way
You can't hold me in this prison cell
Not even for another day
And you have to hear my voice
Have to listen when I scream
Yet I wonder how you sleep
But if you do I hope you dream
(Repeat)
(Chorus x 2)
You got the proof
You got public opinion
And it's all the truth
You got first rate witnesses
Straight from the scene
So the only person guilty
In this court is me
You got forensic evidence
That never lies
You got someone who says
I'm guilty by my eyes
You got lie detectors
That you never use
But I'm the only person here
Who knows the truth
But you never here my voice
Never listen when I talk
Made your mind up in advance
And I'm going to take that walk
Chorus:
You based your case on circumstance
That's all it was and ever will be
And I never stood a chance
The old boys network's stronger than me
My friends and relations
Never gave up hope
That one day you'd listen
And admit you're wrong
But the old school system
Turns another blind eye
And I'm so unimportant
That I might as well die
And you never here my voice
Never listen when I shout
You put me in here long ago
And I'm never getting out
(Chorus x 2)
Now the truth has been unearthed
And opinion moves my way
You can't hold me in this prison cell
Not even for another day
And you have to hear my voice
Have to listen when I scream
Yet I wonder how you sleep
But if you do I hope you dream
(Repeat)
(Chorus x 2)
Lyrics submitted by black_cow_of_death
Add your thoughts
Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.
Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!
More Featured Meanings
Dreamwalker
Silent Planet
Silent Planet
Gentle Hour
Yo La Tengo
Yo La Tengo
This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version.
Great version of a great song,
Punchline
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran sings about missing his former partner and learning important life lessons in the process on “Punchline.” This track tells a story of battling to get rid of emotions for a former lover, whom he now realized might not have loved him the same way. He’s now caught between accepting that fact and learning life lessons from it and going back to beg her for another chance.
Amazing
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran tells a story of unsuccessfully trying to feel “Amazing.” This track is about the being weighed down by emotional stress despite valiant attempts to find some positivity in the situation. This track was written by Ed Sheeran from the perspective of his friend. From the track, we see this person fall deeper into the negative thoughts and slide further down the path of mental torment with every lyric.
Plastic Bag
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Plastic Bag” is a song about searching for an escape from personal problems and hoping to find it in the lively atmosphere of a Saturday night party. Ed Sheeran tells the story of his friend and the myriad of troubles he is going through. Unable to find any solutions, this friend seeks a last resort in a party and the vanity that comes with it.
“I overthink and have trouble sleepin’ / All purpose gone and don’t have a reason / And there’s no doctor to stop this bleedin’ / So I left home and jumped in the deep end,” Ed Sheeran sings in verse one. He continues by adding that this person is feeling the weight of having disappointed his father and doesn’t have any friends to rely on in this difficult moment. In the second verse, Ed sings about the role of grief in his friend’s plight and his dwindling faith in prayer. “Saturday night is givin’ me a reason to rely on the strobe lights / The lifeline of a promise in a shot glass, and I’ll take that / If you’re givin’ out love from a plastic bag,” Ed sings on the chorus, as his friend turns to new vices in hopes of feeling better.