The first degree was a riot
We're making sure
Our lesson's learned
I'm not ashamed, but I'm trying
I've come to expect
The standards you have set

Tell me just how dangerous is second best
You settle for less
Then I'm sure you'll settle again

There's no stopping me
I'm gutting you out
(Does this make you feel safe?)
There's no stopping this
I'm gutting you out
(Does this make you feel safe?)

The closer that I look is just
The further that you get already
Stubborn skin thickens in attempt to understand
Understand

There's no stopping me
I'm gutting you out
(Does this make you feel safe?)
There's no stopping this
I'm gutting you out
(Does this make you feel safe?)

We got tired, got tired of waiting around (of waiting)
The guilt subsides, the night begins (of waiting)
And I know it's not what you deserve now

Came as a gift from a good friend (a good friend)
That dissapproves (but understands)
To represent and actively encourage all of my worst habits
They all are proof that we are both capable
Of the most terrible things
Don't test me

There's no stopping me
I'm gutting you out
(Does this make you feel safe?)
There's no stopping this
I'm gutting you out
(Does this make you feel safe?)

I got tired, got tired of waiting around (of waiting)
The guilt subsides, the night begins(of waiting)
And I know it's not what you deserve now
I got tired, got tired of waiting around (of waiting)
The guilt subsides, the night begins
And I know it's not what you deserve now

How dangerous is second best?

I know it's not what you deserve
It's not what you deserve
I know it's not what you deserve
I know it's not what you deserve



Lyrics submitted by sirjesus4202000

Track duration: 05:08

"I'll Let You Live" as written by Adam Burbank/mascherino Lazzara

Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.

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I'll Let You Live song meanings
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54 Comments

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  • 0
    General Comment:i dont think this song is about john or jesse. i think its about someone with an adicction problem.
    "youve settled for less and im sure you'll settle again" meaning he is in a relationship thats falling apart because of the drugs or whatever but the other person is still sticking around. and "all of my worst habits" meaning the addiction. idk
    this is my favorite song off the album because it falls apart (in a good way) in the end.
    Flag queenofthebeachon July 11, 2011   Link
  • 0
    My Opinion:Personally think its Adam's Attempt to write a song like MCR. I mean think about it its about wanting to kill someone but unlike Gee, Adam is to weak to kill so he lets them live. and this album came out after Life On The Murder Scene so........
    Flag tbscutetbson August 02, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:From the song title and every line in this song, it is about abortion...

    "I'm gutting you out" in the chorus literally means gutting out the fetus.

    We got tired, got tired of waiting around (of waiting)- tired of waiting for the kid to come
    The guilt subsides, the night begins (of waiting)- guilt of the abortion is gone, and surgery begins
    And I know it's not what you deserve now- the fetus doesn't deserve it

    Came as a gift from a good friend (a good friend)- the "gift" is support
    That dissaproves (but understands)- the friend doesn't approve of the decision, but won't disown the person because of it
    To represent and actively encourage all of my worst habits- by doing this, it makes it seem ok
    They all are proof that we are both capable
    Of the most terrible things- looking at abortion as murder
    Don't test me



    It can't be anymore clear that this is what this song is about.
    Flag TheLandlordSMMon November 07, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:elena mascherino sings in one part of this song like the part after adam goes "how dangerous is second best" then theres like the little guitar part then u can hear her singing "you've settled for less, you settled for less". but as for the meaning to the song i think it might be about maybe liek a fight with a friend maybe about john nolan? im not sure
    Came as a gift from a good friend (a good friend)
    That dissaproves (but understands)
    To represent and actively encourage all of my worst habits
    They all are proof that we are both capable
    Of the most terrible things
    Don't test me

    There's no stoppin me
    I'm gutting you out
    (Does this make you feel safe?)
    There's no stoppin this
    I'm gutting you out
    (Does this make you feel safe?)

    that kinda sounds like maybe a fight with a friend or somthing idn. adam has a amazing voice and his lyrics are amazing!! looking forward to new again!
    Flag xxpinkgluexxon January 26, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I think a lot of Louder Now can be seen as the perfect soundtrack to a night out and the consequences and recriminations that follow on from it. Considering this song comes right after Error: Operator, it could be seen as being about revenge, or maybe just realising you're the bigger person for moving on from something faster.

    Taken out of the context of the album, the song seems to be more about Adam's supposed (I don't exactly know the guy) habit of screwing up relationships ('the first degree was a riot', 'I'm gutting you out', 'you represent and actively encourage all of my worst habits...', 'The guilt subsides...' etc), and also his relation to those around him ('a good freiend who disapporves, but understands'). It could also be about revenge, in some respects. But not in the same way that, say, MCR do revenge.
    Flag {x.nick.x}on November 11, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I like the noise at the end.

    But I'm really sad that it isn't some hidden message, like some of you have said. ;]

    And I like the line "How dangerous is second best?". Sweetness.
    Flag foundthevelvetsun7on June 29, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:The whole album is basically a releationship.. that didnt go very well...

    Ghost- when they met, and the whole sorta abusive sex thing.. >.<

    Liar- thats just a cool song XD

    MakeDamnSure- hes fallen for her.. and he loves her like really badly

    Up Agianst- memories.. but rather blank ones.. >.>

    My Blue Heaven- loada crap XD

    Twenty-Twenty- when hes trying to change..

    Spin- they meet agian..

    Divine Intervention- he becomes a alcoholic (?)

    Miami- they get back together.. or get married or something and hes doubting it and thinking about other releationships

    I'll Let You Live- abusing her and arguments

    and then the story is unfinished..

    yeah so thats basically my sumary of the whole album XD
    Flag cloo.xon May 20, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:The woman in the song is Fred`s wife.
    Flag 5avannaon December 25, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:The woman in the song is Fred`d wife.
    Flag 5avannaon December 25, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:liner notes say "i'm guttin' you out". :)
    Flag minutemanon November 06, 2007   Link

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