The Dismemberment Plan – Following Through

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It coulda been good
it coulda been something special
it may have had real potential
it never could show
It coulda been great
it could been something alright
but we never did keep it that tight
so whaddya know?
I get up at 5am I so don't need those dreams that I used to have

It coulda been swell
it coulda been off the hook now
if we ever had what it took now
I haven't a clue
I think it's as well
we may have been on the right track
finding all the pieces we lack
but what can you do?
Now I see that these are cards we drew some time ago, so if you don't know:

I can do it anywhere with anyone at anytime don't you forget
this is my life and it's going to be good, don't you know
not a promise or a threat or an ultimatum, though I can do that too
I'm just telling you, I've got this life I've got to live
I'm just following through

I dishonor the past
being so loose with my time
I could stand accused of high crimes
in the court of the dead
and I could be next
on a page about to turn soon
so I'm movin' my ass at high noon
you heard what I said
I could say I hope I'm not misread, but that's all right
I'm quite OK with losing that fight


Lyrics submitted by patgas

Following Through song meanings
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9 Comments

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  • 0
    General CommentIt's about the desire to be with someone, and yet the realization that it's just not going to work out. Basic imcompatability accounts for a lost chance.
    He is establishing the fact that this person is important to him, yet that there is so many more people he could be seeing and having things work out with. Yet he cares enough to tell this person that it's "not a promise or a threat or an ultimatum".
    The person seems to not quite understand that fact though.
    Just thought I'd state my interpetation and/or the obvious. This is an awesome rockin' song. Why hasn't anyone said anything?
    xdressthepartxon April 26, 2003   Link
  • 0
    General Commenti agree that it could be seen like that, dressthepart, but i interpret it from the other perspective - maybe because of my life right now.

    I see it as travis coming to grips with the ending of a relationship. He was happy in this relationship, but the other person ended it. Hes at the point where he feels that he can be happy with someone else, and that hes moved on and is ready to be happy again.
    indieworkshopon June 12, 2003   Link
  • 0
    General Commenti always saw it as kindof... being involved with someone you don't want to commit to, like someone you have a physical relationship with who wants to be more serious, but you would prefer to remain single because you realize it wouldn't work out.
    yellowstaron September 18, 2004   Link
  • 0
    General CommentIt's interesting how each of those interpretations were so different, and yet i can see all of them within this song. That's pretty cool.
    plosionon November 30, 2004   Link
  • 0
    General CommentI definitely see it more like him being in a relationship and wanting more. Because he mentions ultimatums, and he mentions that it "could've been good," the word could've implying to me that it didn't get the chance to develop into what he wanted.
    tay-parkeron December 16, 2004   Link
  • 0
    General CommentI think it could be any one of those meaning. To me it seems like he's is not getting the girl he wants and hes trying to not waste his life thinking about it "I could stand accused of high crimes in the court of the dead and I could be next"

    I duno i get the impresion he cant get something from that line and he is unhappy about it, hence the could be the next to die. i dont know if thats right but its how i see it, this song is unbelivable good though!
    shiteon February 02, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General CommentI'm pretty sure it's a song that is looking back on a relationship that had ended before it really got started. At the moment these two are still close or talk every now and again, but he is saying that things are different now and she can't hold him back from getting on with his life.
    Lightbluenesson June 01, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General CommentBased on the rest of the album, I'm going to agree with those who say it's about looking back on a past relationship and accepting that it's over and it's time to move on. He's kind of proving it to himself I think.
    Alejoon April 18, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General CommentAt a certain time in my life, this song actually gave me chills. I got into this band through a good friend (and ex) and after things ended (badly) between us, I was listening to the song and finally heard the words. They struck so true with me at the time. I couldn't get over the idea of the failed potential of our realtionship, which had been built up over a period of years of high school tension. When we finally were together, he was unable to follow through on my expectations or his own expectations. The part that starts "I can do it anywhere with anyone at anytime don't you forget" was what I wanted to be able to feel and say, but it took some time (and actually experiencing college life) to feel empowered enough to feel that I had a life to live outside of this failure.
    akablondie714on February 15, 2009   Link

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