What a Catch, Donnie Lyrics

Lyric discussion by Starless__Eyes 

Cover art for What a Catch, Donnie lyrics by Fall Out Boy

This song scares me. It feels kind of like a farewell.

It feels like the end of Fall Out Boy.

I didn't realize that there were other people singing, at first. I still can't pick out Travi's voice, even though I know which line he sings. It's almost like they're all trying to sing like Patrick. Costello, the most different, just sounded like a very stuffy, mid-sobbing Patrick.

So, onto explanation. The most common dictionary definition of "flack" is someone who provides publicity. This whole album seems like it's about regret, and wanting to do life over without being swallowed up by fame. With this line, it undermines the whole album in a very important way. It's like saying "well, here's what I said, and I wish I could mean it, but I'm too weak."

Patrick sings about being fine "'til the hospital or American Embassy." I'm thinking this line refers to being sick at heart, including homesickness, ergo the "American Embassy." While talking about God and the world ending, it's kind of bitter, it seems. I'm not sure of the relevance, but it's a great line.

The second most important part of the song is the chorus. The chorus is about feeling inferior and feeling like a backstabber. "Troubled thoughts and a self-esteem to match," and "I'm the one who charmed the one who gave up on you."

The most important part, though, I think, is when they have the brief cameos from other singers. It's about how music, namely theirs, is more than just music. It's something universal. All of the songs [save the last, "Growing Up,"] are singles. Also, if you read them as one single unit, they become a song of their own, not just "parts of other FOB songs".

I will never end up like him Behind my back, I already am Keep a calendar This way you will always know Where is your boy tonight? I hope he is a gentleman Maybe he won't find out what I know You were the last good thing We're going down, down in an earlier round And sugar, we're goin' down swinging I'll be your number one with a bullet Dance, dance, we're falling apart to halftime Dance, dance, and these are the lives you'd love to lead Dance, this is the way they'd love If they knew how misery loved me This ain't a scene, it's a goddamn arms race This ain't a scene, it's a goddamn arms race One night and one more time Thanks for the memories Even though they weren't so great He tastes like you, only sweeter Growing up, growing up

This section is about being something you don't want to, wanting a girl you can't have, and then watching it fall apart. Then it's about realizing what your life has come to, and getting over it, and finally coming to realizing that you've grown.

Song Meaning