I think that the song is about lying to people, and telling them what they want to hear. It's similar to what Jackmumfews said, about people thinking that fitting in is more important, but it's about being liked. You tell people what they want to hear because everybody has such a thin skin anymore. I share Jack's view of the situation - I'm not going to lie to you, I'm going to say just what I mean. If those shoes are ugly, I'm going to tell you that they're ugly shoes. Apparently, that means that I'm a jerk according to most people.
This is also one of the few songs where Jack is talking poorly about a girl:
Oh baby.. = to girl
...great shoes = lie
I'm so happy now = lie
I think this is a better you = LIE
The second verse is more about society in general, and it starts with the same kind of subverted message,
Don't put your money where your mouth is... = sarcasm, 'putting money where your mouth is' is the opposite of trash talking. He's saying that everybody says what they'll do, but they never go off and really go for it.
...we don't want to see you choke = 'Choke' as in mess up, drop the ball, fail, whatever. People are so afraid of people laughing AT them, that they won't risk new experiences anymore because they're afraid they might look silly/stupid in front of someone. Just like the shoes, is it really such a big deal?
Nobody's joking / no dance shoes = nobody wants to have fun these days. Most people lack the confidence to dance in public (grinding doesn't count, it's what people do because they can't really dance), so they don't dance anymore.
Nobody's broken high scores = same as the 'money where your mouth is'. Nobody wants to try to push themselves to new heights, because they're afraid of failure.
As nice and fun as this song is, it's sort of Jack's way of being a drill-sergeant to the world. Saying "hey everyone - stop worrying about what we think about you, you're not that important. Just live your life and be happy."
I think that the song is about lying to people, and telling them what they want to hear. It's similar to what Jackmumfews said, about people thinking that fitting in is more important, but it's about being liked. You tell people what they want to hear because everybody has such a thin skin anymore. I share Jack's view of the situation - I'm not going to lie to you, I'm going to say just what I mean. If those shoes are ugly, I'm going to tell you that they're ugly shoes. Apparently, that means that I'm a jerk according to most people.
This is also one of the few songs where Jack is talking poorly about a girl: Oh baby.. = to girl ...great shoes = lie I'm so happy now = lie I think this is a better you = LIE
The second verse is more about society in general, and it starts with the same kind of subverted message, Don't put your money where your mouth is... = sarcasm, 'putting money where your mouth is' is the opposite of trash talking. He's saying that everybody says what they'll do, but they never go off and really go for it. ...we don't want to see you choke = 'Choke' as in mess up, drop the ball, fail, whatever. People are so afraid of people laughing AT them, that they won't risk new experiences anymore because they're afraid they might look silly/stupid in front of someone. Just like the shoes, is it really such a big deal?
Nobody's joking / no dance shoes = nobody wants to have fun these days. Most people lack the confidence to dance in public (grinding doesn't count, it's what people do because they can't really dance), so they don't dance anymore. Nobody's broken high scores = same as the 'money where your mouth is'. Nobody wants to try to push themselves to new heights, because they're afraid of failure.
As nice and fun as this song is, it's sort of Jack's way of being a drill-sergeant to the world. Saying "hey everyone - stop worrying about what we think about you, you're not that important. Just live your life and be happy."