The paint's peeling off the streets again
And I'll drive and close my eyes in Michigan
And I feel nothing, not brave
It's a hard day for breathing again

And the heat is chasing all, all your friends
And their scattered bodies part to the shore again
And I feel nothing, not sane
It's a hard day for dreaming again

And oh, I'm not going back
To the assholes that made me a perfect display
Of random acts of hopelessness
I wish I could stay here
But I think we're all ready, think we're all ready

And I feel nothing, not sane
It's a hard day for dreaming again

And oh, now that you've seen
Almost all of America
All you can say is
"Where is all the water?"
And the war has been over
For years since you gave up

And last night, where the road had started
Last night, when my hands were choking you
Last night, when the room and your moon was dipping
And last night, when the ropes were pulling you in

You said, "Hey, how could you love me this way?"
You said, "Hey"
But I think we're all ready, think we're all ready



Lyrics submitted by radiomurder

Track duration: 03:20


Paint's Peeling song meanings
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21 Comments

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  • 0
    General Comment:The lady says in live versions: "it's about a place called Michigan", "this next song is about driving with your eyes closed", etc.
    References: YouTube.
    Flag caralhovoadoron January 29, 2011   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:Definately in my top 3 favorite Rilo Kiley songs. It makes me feel kind of sad and depressed . . . but in a good way. :) I don't even know if that makes any sense whatsoever.

    "And I feel nothing, not sane
    It's a hard day for dreaming again"
    Flag brisweet91on July 13, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:And oh, now that you've seen
    Almost all of America
    All you can say is
    "Where is all the water?"
    And the war has been over
    For years since you gave up


    This bit reminds me of Kerouac's On The Road.
    Flag prussianvirtueon April 16, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:Maybe she means that everyone she meets on tour is screaming at her, "ILOVEYOUOHMYGODJENNNAAAHHHH!"
    And she's pretty much just like, ':/'
    I just have a feeling because;
    When I went to see her [In Michigan, lol]
    We were there 8-9 hours early, and I met her in a old clothes shop.. And during the show, I screamed during a break in the song, "I LOVE YOOOOOU!" and she said, "I... Lo...vlike you too" xD
    But she was in good spirits bhahah
    Flag Kellyshutupon January 31, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:You lot do really belittle Jenny's songwriting.

    Why does everyone on this site think that every song in the world is about the singer and a lover or gf/bf. It's like you have that idea, and then try and wrap it around the song, not the other way around. It's like you read the very last lines and go 'OH! it's obvious'. SO what about verses like:

    'And oh, I'm not going back
    To the assholes that made me a perfect display
    Of random acts of hopelessness
    I wish I could stay here
    But I think we're all ready, think we're all ready'


    What's that got to do with it then?


    The answer is, you won't know what this song is about, only Jenny does, but I think it's more about the general negatives of touring around, going to all these places and not being able to see them, just playing a show and getting out of there, among other things. But it's definately a personal song, so no one can be sure.
    Flag schayzelden91on November 20, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:i completely disagree with mockingsmile in saying "this isn't particularly good for RK." i happen to think it's one of the best songs on the whole execution album.
    Flag factoryphysicson August 30, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:It appears as though Jenny is feeling scared, hopeless, and insane.
    [i.e. "and i feel nothing, not sane.."
    Flag honestmusiclover13on January 31, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:it sounds like both of them have given up on they're relationship a long time ago and they're still together, because they probably still love each other, but its just not working anymore,
    plus it sounds like they've been doing a lot of traveling and it starting to take its toll.
    Flag you was untrueon December 29, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:This song isn't particularly good for RK, but I love the guitar at the beginning to death. I think it's about knowing a relationship is no longer good, and sort of wanting to stay anyway out of laziness/fear.
    Flag mockingsmileon August 08, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:love this song
    and you said "hey, how could you love me this way?"
    great line
    Flag ifoundyourstaron February 05, 2006   Link

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