The Dismemberment Plan – Tonight We Mean It

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Head to toe rayon, don’t light a match
We were good and we’re starting from scratch
Going to a place that never existed
And probably never will, yeah
Oh, a blue light basement on a throw-down autonomy zone
Where we dim the lights and we’re really not that lonesome
Leave your context at home and leave your irony at the door
Tonight we’ll even the score
Well, tonight we mean it
When we dance
Well, tonight we mean it
When we cry
Well, tonight we mean it
When we laugh
Well, tonight, tonight yeah, yeah
I know everybody here would love to get down
And to wipe the slate clean new
And do what they want and say what they mean
And eliminate the, uh, existential quandaries of modern, uh, postmodern reality, ya dig?
No issues! No motives! No problems! No questions!
Just sexy people and purity of intention
Sounds so good, I can barely bring myself to mention
It’s my sad, sad invention
Well, tonight we mean it
When we dance
Well, tonight we mean it
When we cry
Well, tonight we mean it
When we laugh
Tonight, tonight, tonight, tonight
I lost my invitation and I don’t know where I’m going
I might just drive around and try to listen for something weird
Yeah, you’re welcome to come along.
Well, tonight we mean it, yeah!
When we dance
Well, tonight we mean it, oh
When we laugh
Well, tonight we mean it
When we cry
Tonight, tonight, tonight, tonight


Lyrics submitted by 66exeter

Tonight We Mean It song meanings
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  • 0
    General Commenti love this song.. i think it's about finally doing something that you aren't ashamed to put your name to--something that you want to do. we all need to start over ever once in a while.. like the whole second verse.."I know everybody here would love to get down and wipe the slate clean..."
    belle1313on August 03, 2002   Link
  • 0
    General CommentIt's about disregarding all of the uptight bastards of the world and finally doing what you've always wanted to, as they're usually the most pent up desires. Living life with a purpose, making connections with others, not caring what others thing, no grudges, no holds barred, and having a fucking fun time while you're at it.
    One of my favorite Plan songs, if not (at some times) my favorite. ;)
    xdressthepartxon April 26, 2003   Link
  • 0
    General CommentTo me, this song really sounds like a declaration regarding those failed couples that try to start over again as friends with benefits. Stuff like "...and we're really not that lonesome" and "wipe the slate clean" all lends to that idea, but for me what really does it is the way he ends the second verse with "Sounds so good, I can barely bring myself to mention/it's just my sad, sad invention". It really seems like what he's saying is that once something's complicated, you can't make it simple again. Just my two cents.
    wayne_ozacroton May 10, 2004   Link
  • 0
    General Commenti dont think it's about any of those things

    I think its just about going to a show, or going out to a club and having a good time and forgetting about all your problems and loosing yourself in the moment.

    "going to a place that never existed and probably never will"

    that describes the state of mind you get in when your having a good time and your forgetting about all the shitty things your going through. it's a place that doesnt exist because the reality is as soon as it's over your back to your problems

    "I know everybody here would love to get down
    And to wipe the slate clean new
    And do what they want and say what they mean
    And eliminate the, uh, existential quandaries of modern, uh, postmodern reality, ya dig?"

    No issues! No motives! No problems! No questions!
    Just sexy people and purity of intention
    Sounds so good, I can barely bring myself to mention
    It’s my sad, sad invention

    he's probably talking about a d-plan show, how the whole atmosphere of the show is a complete invention made to distract people and take them out of their lives and into a moment of pure and blissful happiness... makes me wish i had seen them live.
    prettyporfavoron August 19, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General CommentI did see them live in the 90s in a little dive of a bar with one brand of cheap beer on tap. It was a great show!

    I always interpreted these lyrics as talking about the ennui of the party scene as one gets older. You want to go out and hit the party, loose all your inhibitions, forget all the trouble of the work week, and have the perfect fun time. But the perfect party doesn't exist, and when you get there, there's the nagging feeling you should be having more fun then you are, and that you are just going through the motions.
    gravitonon September 16, 2008   Link

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