You read a lot into it
I never even flipped right through it
So what'cha going to do with
All this stuff that's scribbled to it
You say, "There's nothing new"
And, oh my god, that might be true
But what'cha think you're going to do
That's worthwhile when there's nothing new
Oh my god, I can't see
But it takes half as much as it used to for me
Oh my god, I can't see
But it means half as much as it used to to me
You read a lot into it
Oh my god, that might be true
And what'cha think you're going to do
With yourself when there's nothing for you
Oh my god, I can see
That it takes half as much as it used to for me
You say, "There's nothing new"
And, oh my god, that might be true
But what'cha think you're going to do
That's worthwhile when there's nothing new
You read a lot into it
I never even flipped right through it
So what'cha going to do with
All this stuff that's scribbled to you
Oh my god, I can see
That it means half as much as it used to for me
You read a lot into
What's spoken word and spoke anew
Because that's what'cha think you're going to do
When second-hand's got second-hand dues
Oh my god, I can't eat
And it means half as much as it used to to me
You say, "There's nothing new"
And, oh my god, that might be true
So what'cha think you're going to do
With yourself when there's nothing new for you
Oh my god, I can see
That it takes half as much as it used to for me



Lyrics submitted by fallacies


Nothing New song meanings
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20 Comments

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  • 0
    General Comment:Anyone who says they sold out clearly doesn't understand Modest Mouse. Sure, their songs sound nicer and more clean-cut on Good News, The Moon and Antartica, and We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank, but if you actually listen to the lyrics you can clearly see that their lyrics are still fantastic. Issac Brock said in an interview that he was glad with the way that the new records came out, and he doesn't care what the fans say about it because he makes his music to please himself. If he likes it the way it sounds than you, as fans, should like the way it sounds. Don't get me wrong I love their old albums. First one I ever heard was Sad Sappy Sucker. But their new ones are just as good as their old ones. And good for them, they're making money. Is it really so bad that they're attracting new fans and earning more money? That's what most bands strive for.
    Flag Canceriddensealon February 18, 2012   Link
  • 0
    Song Meaning:The seven dimensionality of their music? Get real.

    I think this song is, in part, about a conversation with a religious person, specifically:

    "What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun." -(Ecclesiastes 1:9-14 NIV)

    I think this explains the repetition of "Oh my god," and some of the other lyrics.

    "You say, "There's nothing new"
    And, oh my god, that might be true
    But what'cha think you're going to do
    That's worthwhile when there's nothing new

    You read a lot into it
    I never even flipped right through it
    So what'cha going to do with
    All this stuff that's scribbled to you"

    Some people think the bible is the literal word of god, whereas Isaac, an atheist, never paid much attention to it, so he asks what they're going to do with all "this stuff that's scribbled to you" about how to live their life if they are also told there's nothing new in the world and nothing they'll ever do here will be "worthwhile" or novel in his opinion.
    Flag Avoseon October 10, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:wow..they really need to consider putting this on an album..its one of their best songs imo
    Flag Nightonthesun09on September 26, 2009   Link
  • 0
    My Interpretation:When I listened to this song this is what i got out of it. As you know, Isaac is ashamed with the fact that some people can go throughout their whole lives doing meaningless things and cling to society's fads. I think that,
    "You read a lot into it
    I never even flipped right through it
    So what'cha going to do with
    All this stuff that's scribbled to it

    is his way of telling a person he cares about that he thinks that the subject, or way of life that this person is getting into really has no point. And

    "You say, "There's nothing new"
    And, oh my god, that might be true
    But what'cha think you're going to do
    That's worthwhile when there's nothing new""

    is another way of telling this person that they should view themselves critically because to really have nothing new is a pathetic way to live your life.

    And finally,

    "Oh my god, I can't see
    But it takes half as much as it used to for me
    Oh my god, I can't see
    But it means half as much as it used to to me"

    is his way of mocking this person by showing that this passive way of life can numb your senses and take real problems too lightly. I think that this song is a way for him to tell someone to really look at what they have really done with their life.

    Flag Hinge27on December 17, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:i think it's more about the virtual impossibility of creating something ENTIRELY new, and to someone that's really really looked into something, like a piece of music. this song has probably been reproduced accidentally (that is, the musical aspect of it) SOMEWHERE in the US. with minimal effort and not really trying to create something, you won't impress anybody.
    Flag xylotehwarrioron January 14, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:One of the things I really love about Most Mouse is, their songs are completely up for interpretation. Brock doesn't say what he writes about and the lyrics can be literal or figurative. Its great.

    I took this song in a different direction. I started thinking about letters. It seems like one person is putting forth a lot of effort to talk to someone else and "scribbling" notes to them, but the only response is that there is "nothing new" which might be true... but who knows? Theyre not putting forth an effort.
    Flag rokoon November 29, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:i dont know about of any of it
    but i knew when my ex told me she loved me
    it ment more to me then it ever did to her
    Flag christopherblazekon May 31, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:what this song means to me? opinions are a waste of time so dont believe in mine or anyone elses. besides i dont see any i have that i dont make up like a play. it also means to me, what in the fudge am i supposed to do with this "life" which is nothing but images, sound, feelings and the like which are always being born and dying and are mirage like.
    Flag allthereison February 22, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:ok i think we have different definitions of selling out. what is yours?
    Flag willlliwon February 10, 2007   Link
  • -1
    General Comment:cheesenugget,
    I have two points to make:

    1.) yes they did sell out on the Moon $ Antarctica, but they realllly "sold their souls" with Good New$. And i dont care, and if your a real Modest Mouse fan, you shouldn't, because would you rather 1. have Modest Mouse be broke and make no more music or 2. sell out, let the radio have a new flavor of the week then have Mouse continue back into underground obscurity? I choose the latter. Besides, i'd sell a couple of songs of mine if i ran out of beer/rent money. (not that i have any)

    2.) no, teeny boppers shouldn't listen to good music. that's why they have their shitty music to listen to. the kind of music that has no meaning, or thought put into it.
    Flag mcinstuffon September 17, 2006   Link

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