So you don't wanna hear about my good song? You don't wanna hear about how I am getting on With all the things that I can get done The sun is in the sky and I am by my lonesome So you don't wanna hear about my good day? You have better things to do than to hear me say God, it's been a lovely day, everything's been going my way I took out the trash today and I'm on fire So you don't wanna hear about my good friends You don't have the guts to take the truth or consequence Success is in the eye of the beholder And it's looking even better over your cold shoulder I'm not suggesting you get to line me up for questioning But Jesus think about the bridges you are burning and I'm betting That even though you knew it from the start You'd rather be a bitch than be an ordinary broken heart So go ahead and talk about your bad day I want all the details of the pain and misery That you are inflicting on the others I consider them my sisters and I want their numbers God, it's been a lovely day, everything's been going my way I took up croquet today, I'm on fire I picked up the pieces of my broken ego I have finally made my peace as far as you and me go But I'd love to have you up to see the place I'd like to do more than survive, I'd like to rub it in your face Hey, it's been a lovely day, everything is going my way I had so much fun today and I'm on fire God, it's been a lovely day every thing's been going my way Ever since you went away, hey, I'm on fire I'm on fire, I'm on fire, I'm on I'm on fire, I'm on fire I'm on fire, I'm on So you don't wanna hear about my good day?



Lyrics submitted by okokayok

Track duration: 05:51

"Good Day" as written by Amanda Palmer

Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.

Lyrics powered by LyricFind


Good Day song meanings
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  • 0
    General Comment:I do agree with you, Girl Anachronism. First time I listened to this song I thought about my mom, haha. But anyway, I think it definitely IS about chilhood and something related to her mother.
    Flag TaraLytwinon May 17, 2012   Link
  • +1
    General Comment:I don't think it's about a lover at all. Everything about the song, from the music box beginning to the nursery rhyme ending are screaming CHILDHOOD. Not only that, but specifically neglected childhood. First of all, "You don't want to hear about my good day." What's the first thing mom says when you get home from school? "How was your day sweetheart?"

    Her mom never asked how her day was. She was probably depressed or something, and chose to wallow in her "bad day" rather than pay any attention to her daughter. So the narrator never had a chance to talk about her good day. And the song grows with her. When she's young "I took out the trash today" is a representation of her trying to please her mother, to get some recognition, by doing chores, because that's what the simple mind of a child would come up with.

    As she gets older the general neglect continues. "Success is in the eye of the beholder" could be continuing with the theme of trying to please the mom and not being enough, but it could also be blaming the mom. Perhaps the narrator doesn't try to be successful because it's in "the eye of the beholder" which is the "truth and consequences" of the mom's neglect.

    And now the narrator is realizing that the mom is just a bitch. And the next stanza is the narrator saying she's accepted it(ish) and is moving on (sort of). And the "I'd love to have you up to see the place" makes way more sense if she's talking about her mom. She's resentful at this point of everything her mom has put her through, and she wants to rub her success in the face of that adversity in her moms face.

    The ending nursery rhyme not only ties back to her trashed childhood, but also her resentment of what her mom did.

    Just my thoughts. Would love to hear your feedback!
    Flag agirlanachronismon May 08, 2012   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:It's about a girl who is depressed after a breakup, finally being able to move on with her life.

    She starts out barely able to complete routine tasks; her idea of "on fire" is taking out the trash. "Success is in the eye of the beholder" - most people wouldn't consider taking out the trash an accomplishment, but to her just being able to get out of bed feels like success.

    Then after a while she's able to go out and try new things - "I picked up croquet today and I'm on fire"

    Finally she's able to have fun again: "I had so much fun today, and I'm on fire" - she may not be completely over him yet, but she's back to functioning again.

    "You'd rather be a bitch than be an ordinary broken heart" - to me, this is about how sometimes it's easier to get mad than to be sad. Her ex has decided to do so.

    She decides that the best way to get back at him is to be fine without him - "I'd like to do more than survive, I'd like to rub it in your face."
    Flag elddiReMsihTon December 13, 2011   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:"i'm not suggesting you up and line me up for questioning
    but jesus think about the bridges you are burning
    and i'm betting
    that even though you knew it from the start
    you'd rather be a bitch than be an ordinary broken heart"

    This is how it happened to me:

    My ex broke up with me because of a previous relationship he had been in that had left him broken, and he said he wasn't ready to move on, which is why he couldn't be with me. He said that even though he knew he wasn't ready to move on, he dated me "just to see where things went". I ended up falling and love, and he ended up shattering my heart. I think this line fits perfectly with my situation. He still gets off treating me like shit (unconsciously, mind you) by playing head games with me, and rather than being an "ordinary broken heart" and moving on from her, and being with me, he's still a sniveling bitch about the whole thing. There. My interpretation.
    Flag demolitionlover4on April 04, 2011   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:This song is the song I listen to when, I'm really down. I highly suggest listing to it when you're sad. Sing it full blast.
    SING FROM YOUR FUCKING HEART.
    Also, look that up, it's amazing.
    Flag CamillaCatriceon January 30, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:simply tragic. Waiting for that person you love to come back into your life. Constantly thinking about them overwhelming thoughts. obsession is the first word to come to mind after listening to this song. it's one of my absolute favorites.
    Flag BrightBlueEyes1111on July 20, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:it's definitely about trying to look on the bright side - to pretend you're much better off and feeling much better about things and much better off than the ex, even if you're not necessarily. i love how she describes mundane things as if they're amazing:

    "god its been a lovely day! everything is going my way
    i took out the trash today and i'm on fire..."

    such great lyrics, great song.
    Flag missmeon February 09, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:"Now the war is over,
    Mussolini's dead,
    He wants to go to heaven
    With a crown upon his head.
    But the Lord said, No!
    You must go down below,
    All dressed up and nowhere to go."

    I think that's a reference to Truce
    Flag valerieeeeon November 09, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:about a relationship she is a part of where neither member is in active interest with oneanother, and everyday without eachother is better than together.
    Flag brianhess40on August 26, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:i have the un-censored version....
    She says
    "I'm not suggesting, you FUCK you line me up for questioning"
    She sounds so bitter. I love it.
    Flag Lady_Mercyon August 08, 2008   Link

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