I saw a little kid
As he walked around
He picked a candy bar up
Off the ground

He chowed about a half
Then his face turned blue
Turned out that candy bar was doggy-doo
Don't pick it up I say

Unless you can throw it away
Don't pick it up I say
You're gonna be bummed that you went that way

You're out there makin' bacon
No scrutiny
You mess around too much
And you got VD

You know you never think
And you're sore today
You're gonna take it back to California
Don't pick it up I say

Unless you can throw it away
Don't pick it up I say
You're gonna be bummed that you went that way

My friend was kinda hurtin'
For a girl to try
He saw one that looked like Pat
On Saturday Night Live

It had a pair of thingies
But a mustache too
Not clearly male nor female
So now what to do

Don't pick it up I say
Unless you can throw it away
Don't pick it up I say
You're gonna be bummed that you went that way



Lyrics submitted by NothingMan

Track duration: 01:53

"Don't Pick It Up" as written by Bryan Holland

Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.

Lyrics powered by LyricFind


Don't Pick It Up song meanings
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11 Comments

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  • 0
    General Comment:i get the impression this song is about being weary of drug addiction. 'dont pick it up' - i interpret as don't take the habit up. 'unless you throw it away' - i interpret as unless you can give it up just as easily. a.k.a. dont start taking a drug unless you can stop your self from getting addicted. All that stuff about the kid pickin up a chocolate bar that turned out to be doggy-doo, that's a metaphor for OD'ing or getting burned with bashed up gear. And the last line in the chorus, 'Your gonna be bummed that you went that way' - a direct warning that you'll regret your decision to start taking drugs if you do let it slide and get yourself hooked. It will only make you unhappy in the long-run.

    that's how i hear it. the offspring may not have had that in their minds at all when they wrote it, but considering a lot of their other music contains negative drug references, e.g. "Mota" and "The Kids Aren't Alright", i'd be surprised if this was the case.
    Flag holdupon December 14, 2011   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:Erm...plus 'don't pick it up' as in 'don't pick up the soap' - hence 'you're going to be BUMMED that you went that way'.

    Love this song. :)
    Flag mrpwaseon May 03, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:gregster... you arent smart are you... can you not see past face value?

    obviously op ivy say pick it up. the offspring are making a joke with this double sided meaning:

    at face value it means 'dont pick it up cos it might be dirty' or whatever

    but they are also saying dont pick it up as in, dont play ska.... which is obviously a joke since this song obviosuly has ska elements AND the offspring used to be freinds with op ivy i belive as i recall noodles saying in an interview somethign about 'back in the op ivy days' or something like that.
    Flag iceyflameon August 26, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:Again, I love the Offspring's jokey songs. There are two big things in the meaning of this song for me.

    1. It's an admonishment, a warning against doing things you shouldn't be doing. Basically what he's saying is that if you have any doubts, then don't do it.

    2. It's a total rip on the ska kids.
    Flag rage.loveon July 18, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:iceyflame are you havin a laugh?!!?
    in sounds system they say "pick it up" cos thats a ska thing to say
    in this song, which has a quite ska punk beat, theyr sayin "dont pickt it up" cos its th message of th song, theyre not dissin ska seein as they got a few ska punk songs

    well the songs sayin dont pick up habits, personally i think its referring to drugs
    Flag gregsterpositionon March 14, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:The song is quite similar to Operation Ivy's 'Sound System'..... Which was realeased before Ixnay on the Hombre...

    Also in 'Sound System' they say something similar to the part in this song that goes 'Dont pick it up... dont pick it up... dont pick it up....''. Theres also the same drumbeat in that part aswell..

    Perhaps this song is a metaphor for The Offspring saying that ska is doggy doo?? HAhah I hope not, becuause Ska is great, and so are The Offspring....
    Flag iceyflameon December 24, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:very funny XD The Offspring have a wicked sense of humor!
    Flag Black_ravenon September 30, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I agree with count 200.....
    Flag +-+A.F.I+-+on July 13, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:Haha, I love the reference to Pat.
    Flag Jakeberton November 22, 2004   Link
  • +1
    General Comment:this song is about really taking a good look before you do something, or else your gonna suffer the conciquence's like eating dog crap, and it's hella funny
    Flag count_200on August 29, 2002   Link

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