I think it's too easy and frankly too cliche to always assume that every malicious sounding song is written for or about a girl. Brand New is in a mature stage in their song writing where their lyrics can transcend a number of issues and feelings. I'm not denying that a girl may have influenced this song as it did seventy times seven (well directed toward lead singer of TBS but was over a girl), but I am saying that this song's message could be applied to a number of situations, and for me at least, part of the beauty of a song is being able to relate it to instances in my own life.
I think mason338 has come closest to properly interpreting the message here. I think the song is about the inner battle for wanting to seek personal justice for a wrong doing vs. being the proverbial "better man" by finding alternative and more passive means for finding closure. The theme of arresting someone if he had handcuffs and throwing them in the back of a car (like a cop, hey!) as if they have committed a terrible crime implies that although by the standards of law, whatever that person did, though not illegal by any legislature, could be just as cruel if not crueler than any petty misdemeanor or felony. Hence the continued ethical debate of justice vs. the law.
I think the song is very logically and creativly written to follow the argumentative thought process we experience when in a rage and debating vigilantism vs. hoping that the theory of "what goes around comes around" holds true. On a camping trip one time, I had a friend who screwed the girl I liked, after she was black out drunk, in a tent, in front of everyone, after I had told him that I liked her and to back off. My first thoughts were naturally to douse the tent in kerosine and drop a match. This would have of course cost me time in the form of prison. I let it go, he came clean and apologized, we are still friends. It would have been a lot harder to have been the better man if he was ungracious about this (as the end of the song wraps up).
Oh and Eyecon, what you said sounds idiotic. Fame and success is not getting to Jesse who didn't even write the song aparently. First, Brand New is not even THAT famous as bands go. Second, you don't have to be cold and numb to write a song like this, you just have to be good at expressing the way you feel.
Very well said. You provided me with a lot of insight into that songs meaning.
Although, I'm curious about your take on the lines there at the end of the song:
"You could lay on your back and be beaten
You could put up your fists and fight
You could try and be way off"
Most specifically the last line there. What are they saying there?
Very well said. You provided me with a lot of insight into that songs meaning.
Although, I'm curious about your take on the lines there at the end of the song:
"You could lay on your back and be beaten
You could put up your fists and fight
You could try and be way off"
Most specifically the last line there. What are they saying there?
I think it's too easy and frankly too cliche to always assume that every malicious sounding song is written for or about a girl. Brand New is in a mature stage in their song writing where their lyrics can transcend a number of issues and feelings. I'm not denying that a girl may have influenced this song as it did seventy times seven (well directed toward lead singer of TBS but was over a girl), but I am saying that this song's message could be applied to a number of situations, and for me at least, part of the beauty of a song is being able to relate it to instances in my own life.
I think mason338 has come closest to properly interpreting the message here. I think the song is about the inner battle for wanting to seek personal justice for a wrong doing vs. being the proverbial "better man" by finding alternative and more passive means for finding closure. The theme of arresting someone if he had handcuffs and throwing them in the back of a car (like a cop, hey!) as if they have committed a terrible crime implies that although by the standards of law, whatever that person did, though not illegal by any legislature, could be just as cruel if not crueler than any petty misdemeanor or felony. Hence the continued ethical debate of justice vs. the law.
I think the song is very logically and creativly written to follow the argumentative thought process we experience when in a rage and debating vigilantism vs. hoping that the theory of "what goes around comes around" holds true. On a camping trip one time, I had a friend who screwed the girl I liked, after she was black out drunk, in a tent, in front of everyone, after I had told him that I liked her and to back off. My first thoughts were naturally to douse the tent in kerosine and drop a match. This would have of course cost me time in the form of prison. I let it go, he came clean and apologized, we are still friends. It would have been a lot harder to have been the better man if he was ungracious about this (as the end of the song wraps up).
Oh and Eyecon, what you said sounds idiotic. Fame and success is not getting to Jesse who didn't even write the song aparently. First, Brand New is not even THAT famous as bands go. Second, you don't have to be cold and numb to write a song like this, you just have to be good at expressing the way you feel.
Very well said. You provided me with a lot of insight into that songs meaning. Although, I'm curious about your take on the lines there at the end of the song: "You could lay on your back and be beaten You could put up your fists and fight You could try and be way off" Most specifically the last line there. What are they saying there?
Very well said. You provided me with a lot of insight into that songs meaning. Although, I'm curious about your take on the lines there at the end of the song: "You could lay on your back and be beaten You could put up your fists and fight You could try and be way off" Most specifically the last line there. What are they saying there?