And I'm reminded
Of the time that I was blinded
By the sun
It was a welcome change
From the sight of you hanging
Like a willow
Off the arm of yet another visionary
Prophetess East Van. punk

I didn't stand a chance
I couldn't stand at all
You looked ok with the others
You looked great on your own
It was 2002 and you couldn't be bothered
To say hello or goodbye
Or stand the test of time
You did, I just tried to
Separate an ocean from these tears we cried

Where did you get that line?
Where did you get that look?
Where did you get that penchant for destruction in the way you talk?
Where did you get that ride?
Where did you get that rocket?
Where did you get that painter in your pocket?

Hey, there's Christine
And there's where she could've been
The summer season was cheap
Birds of prey stick together
And hey so do we, go

I didn't stand a chance
I couldn't stand at all
You looked ok with the others
You looked great by yourself
It was 2002 and you needed reminding to stay alive
And so did I, but at least I tried to
Fall upon that sword and never look back

Where did you get that line?
Where did you get that look?
Where did you get that penchant for destruction in the way you talk?
Where did you get that ride?
Where did you get that rocket?
Where did you get that painter in your pocket?

I didn't stand a chance
I didn't stand at all
You looked ok with the others



Lyrics submitted by herrn

Track duration: 04:10


Painter in Your Pocket song meanings
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13 Comments

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  • 0
    My Interpretation:This is a song about a past, likely unrequited, flame/lover/whatever named Christine. (Dan mentions a Christine White in "Bay of Pigs (Detail)"; same person?) She apparently goes through a lot of pretentious punk boyfriends, and her newest guy is a painter. He's in her pocket (under her power/influence). I get the impression that he put way more effort into the relationship than she did ("at least I tried to...") so he's annoyed by seeing her with these other dudes. "You looked OK with the others" is probably his way of saying he didn't like her friends, or boyfriends.
    Flag materiwellon December 30, 2012   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:this is what the song appears to be saying to me.

    the singer is singing to an ex. he begins by reminiscing and then goes on to state that he has no chance, which is more or less the internal voice of a broken heart. she has something about her that he doesnt understand. its this "painter in her pocket" which alludes to her overall sense of well being, it sets her apart. how or why can she be doing so well, when he is so hurt and alone. why doesnt he mean as much to her as she does to him.

    again, this is just what the song says to me.
    Flag mmmmsnooganson November 20, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:this is what the song appears to be saying to me.

    the singer is singing to an ex. he begins by reminiscing and then goes on to state that he has no chance, which is more or less the internal voice of a broken heart. she has something about her that he doesnt understand. its this "painter in her pocket" which alludes to her overall sense of well being, it sets her apart. how or why can she be doing so well, when he is so hurt and alone. why doesnt he mean as much to her as she does to him.

    again, this is just what the song says to me.
    Flag mmmmsnooganson November 20, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:this was one of my favorite songs for the longest time.
    my favorite is:

    i didn't stand a chance
    i couldn't stand at all

    this whole song makes me feel the world.
    Flag hollowfingerson April 30, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:YA! :0)
    Flag citygirlon August 02, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I like what schopenhauerpower said.
    I think it's one of the more straight forward Destroyer songs. I'm pretty positive it's about an ex that he never fully got over and he's running into her again. She's obviously with another guy ("it was a welcome change
    from the sight of you hanging
    like a willow
    off the arm of yet another visionary
    prophetess east van. punk")
    And when he runs into her she "couldn't be bothered to say hello or goodbye".
    The "I just tried to sepereate an ocean from the tears we cried" line I think is referring to their breakup and how hard he tried to forget about her.

    Basically he wants to get over his ex and is trying to forget about her but it's tough when he sees her with another man and she ignores him.
    ya?
    Flag Coowon July 31, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I really don't have a clue as to what the whole meaning behind the song is but it is quite catchy, I know that.
    Flag laurentertainingon November 25, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:the painter in her (or his?) pocket seems to refer to the person she's with now, who is responsible for all of her new thoughts and mannerisms, artsy and 'high minded' ones given the 'painter' part. lovers turn into each other. i don't know if dan is suggesting that her new self is affected, but i get that vibe.
    Flag schopenhauerpoweron June 30, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I think it refers to a person he is interested in, but doesn't think he has a chance with: "I didn’t stand a chance. I didn’t stand at all." And you sorta get the feeling the person he is talking about doesn't really care about him very much, or maybe doesn't even know who he is: "you couldn't be bothered to say hello, or goodbye"
    Flag jtexploderon August 27, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I feel like it's about being in love with someone you haven't got a chance with...or MAYBE running into that 'one' ex that you'll never get over...and saying, "wow, what happened? you have changed." yep.
    Flag thepilotssisteron July 26, 2006   Link

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