I stopped today to see myself in subway glass
I was scared of the way I look now
I knew the only thought in my mind, my eyes
"Please, don't believe in me
I don't wanna let you down"

And I'm conviced it only rains in New York
I'm surrounded by everything that really scares me
A room full of empty people
Regretting every time they inhale

I wanted to write one perfect song
To make you cry in your sleep
Kind of like a soundtrack for your dreams
To let you know I'm watching
And making sure it turns out alright
It'll be alright

I guess I wanted to make you feel something
I wanted to make you feel everything

You may call me a protest singer
But I'm only protesting myself
I don't believe in beautiful people
But I don't believe in me
I wonder what it's like to be in between



Lyrics submitted by bean79

Track duration: 03:22

"Protest Singer" as written by Kevin Patrick Devine

Lyrics © RAZOR & TIE DIRECT LLC

Lyrics powered by LyricFind


Protest Singer song meanings
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12 Comments

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  • 0
    General Comment:i don't think he means 'protest singer' in the literal sense, or not fully at least.
    Flag xCamisadoon November 14, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I think the first half of it is about how he has met somebody, and they really believe and trust in him, perhaps even love him, and he is scared that he will let them down or screw things up.

    I think the part about him being scared about being surrounded by empty people, is him saying that he is worried that he will end up being surrounded by people who are bitter and lifeless.

    and I want to write one perfect song
    to make you cry in your sleep
    kind of like a soundtrack for your dreams
    to let you'ld know I'm watching and making sure it's (exact) alright
    it'll be alright
    I guess I wanted to make you feel something
    I wanted to make you feel everything

    I think this parts about how he has fallen for someone and he wants them to take notice of him, to make them feel something (for him), and everything (everything being, everything he is feeling).

    and you may call me a protest singer
    but I'm only protesting myself

    where protest is ' an expression or declaration of objection, disapproval, or dissent, often in opposition to something a person is powerless to prevent or avoid: a protest against increased taxation.'

    He is angry with himself (i have no idea why, but when i listen to kevin i get this whole vibe that he isn't exactly bitter, but some what not thinking he is good enough or that he is confused with life) and thus protesting against himself. I also kind of get this idea that the girl he likes, called him a 'protest singer' and this made him feel not angry, but he felt that she had classified him wrongly.

    I don't believe in beautiful people
    and I don't believe in me
    I wonder what it's like to be in between

    I don't quite get this bit. I assume when he means in between, he is saying, that this girl believes in him and that she is beautiful, and thus stuck in the middle of what he doesn't believe him (himself and beautiful people).

    Thats just my take.
    Flag istillexiston November 30, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:since kevin is a smiths fan, i think the protest singer line is a reference to the smiths lyric:
    "i thought that if you had an acoustic guitar it meant you were a protest singer."
    Flag bugoffon November 30, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:uhh. i think the point that he's not a protest singer in the traditional sense is the point of the lyric.
    Flag JeremyB1on February 02, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:i think this is the first song i heard by kevin devine. and i fell in love. the lyrics are just so personal and honest, but at the same time they almost make you feel pathetic for listening.
    Flag bumberrshooton January 05, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:i love this song! i don't know how anyone can not like it. i mean, who cares whether or not someone has or hasn't called him a protest singer.. the rest of it, it's great writing. "i'm only protesting myself"
    kevin!
    Flag daystoforgeton December 24, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:its actually
    'to let you know im watching and making sure it turns out alright'.
    Flag sarabrocon July 03, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I really dislike this song based mainly on the fact that I can't imagine ANYONE EVER describing him as a protest singer. sure he sings a few songs about his political views but not..that much..
    Flag three star saluteon June 23, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:"and I want to write one perfect song
    to make you cry in your sleep
    kind of like a soundtrack for your dreams
    to let you'ld know I'm watching and making sure it's (exact) alright
    it'll be alright
    I guess I wanted to make you feel something
    I wanted to make you feel everything "




    those words... ohh i'm in love. with the song, that is...
    Flag ivegotatimebombon June 21, 2004   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:same here :) haircut has to be my favourite.
    Flag widexeyeson June 06, 2003   Link

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