Lyric discussion by dbergan 

Cover art for Compliment lyrics by Collective Soul

EphemeralArcs is on the right track, but maybe the song isn't about losing innocence from receiving a compliment, but rather through giving one...

For example, one of those phony compliments like when your grandfather gives you a gift that's less-than-exciting, but you tell him it was a "great gift" and "really thoughtful"...