Let's get together and talk about the modern age
All of our friends were gathered there
With their pets, just talking shit
About how we're all so upset about the disappearing ground
As we watch it melt

It's all of the good that won't come out of us
And how eventually our hands will just turn to dust
If we keep shaking them
Standing here on this frozen lake

I do this thing where I think I'm real sick
But I won't go to the doctor to find out about it
Because they make you stay real still
In a real small space
As they chart up your insides and put them on display

They'd see all of it, all of me, all of it

All of the good that won't come out of me
And all the stupid lies I hide behind
It's such a big mistake
Lying here in your warm embrace

Oh, you're almost home
I've been waiting for you to come in
Dancing around in your old suits
Going crazy in your room again
I think I'll go out and embarrass myself
By getting drunk and falling down in the street
You say I choose sadness
That it never once has chosen me
Maybe you're right

Let's talk about all our friends who lost the war
And all the novels that have yet to be written about them

It's all of the good that won't come out of them
And all the stupid lies they hide behind
It's such a big mistake
Standing here on this frozen lake

It's all of the good that won't come out of me
And how eventually my mouth will just turn to dust
If I don't tell you quick
Standing here on this frozen lake



Lyrics submitted by radiomurder

Track duration: 04:31


The Good That Won't Come Out song meanings
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39 Comments

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  • 0
    My Interpretation:i always read (at least part of) this song literally:

    "i do this thing where i think i'm real sick
    but i won't go to the doctor to find out about it"
    hypochondria. she finds herself so stressed about trivial and often imaginary things and when confronted with them she stands there blankly, staring at the "disappearing ground". the fact is she isn't actually sick--they're just "stupid lies i hide behind".

    "you say i choose sadness, that it never once has chosen me
    maybe you're right."
    everyone's aware it's all in her head--she knows it too--but she can't help going back to the same old thoughts and obsessions, the "dancing around in your old suits" and the not going to the doctor. everyone's fed up with this and is left staring at the disappearing ground.

    blathering aside, i do think this is about a relationship, but everyone takes home something different.
    Flag maximillianarthuron August 14, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:also jenny acknowledges that "to be lonely is a habit like smoking or taking drugs -- and i've quit them both, but, man, was it rough" five albums later on acid tongue
    Flag Arguemanon August 07, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:this is about mid-20s hipster ennui you children
    Flag Arguemanon August 07, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:
    I think I'll go out and embarrass myself
    By getting drunk and falling down in the street
    You say I choose sadness
    That it never once has chosen me
    Maybe you're right

    this part is my favorite... it's like, maybe sometimes the reason people are sad or depressed is because they choose to be...sort of like Munchhausen's syndrome but with emotions.

    but her answer is "maybe you're right," and not a flat out "no." that's the best answer she could give.

    oh, and i love the getting drunk part, always makes me smile :D
    Flag pkuhlon April 21, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:hands down the most amazing and emotion-striking song i've ever heard
    Flag Clarisssaon February 05, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:hands down the most amazing and emotion-striking song i've ever heard
    Flag Clarisssaon February 05, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:for the longest time i unquestioningly thought this song was about being cynical and not being able to get the goodness out of you, that perhaps you think is burdensome and useless and frustrating. then one day a couple years after i first heard it i realized it might be the total opposite, about having good in you and not being able to bring it to the surface. and of course after looking at the lyrics again and reading what people have to say, it could have just as much to do with other people and the good in them. but i think ill always still see it as the first way. i dont know why. great song.
    Flag thest0rysofaron January 10, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:*self-destruct.
    Flag missmeon October 23, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I agree with kelsey_rocks... It definitely seems from the second verse it's about an unofficial relationship...especially with the line "it's such a big mistake lying here in your warm embrace". And frozen lake represents something that could disappear at any minute and send you falling. I think it's making her depressed and feel pointless, hence the other lines. She's turning into self-destrust. Wonderful song.
    Flag missmeon October 23, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:this song is too perfect for how i'm feeling right now. it's about that awful place where you don't want to be but you don't have the strength to change it...

    hm.
    Flag krollisasexyhoeon October 06, 2008   Link

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