I am an arms dealer fitting you with weapons in the form of words
And (don't really care which side wins)
As long as the room keeps singing that's just the business I'm in

This ain't a scene, it's a goddamn arms race
This ain't a scene, it's a goddamn arms race
This ain't a scene, it's a goddamn arms race

I'm not a shoulder to cry on, but I digress

I'm the leading man
And the lies I weave are oh so intricate, oh so intricate
I'm the leading man
And the lies I weave are oh so intricate, oh so intricate

I wrote the gospel on giving up (and looking pretty sinking)
But the real bombshells have already sunk (primadonnas of the gutter)
At night we're painting your trash gold, while you sleep
Crashing not like hips or cars but more like p-p-p-parties

This ain't a scene, it's a goddamn arms race
This ain't a scene, it's a goddamn arms race
This ain't a scene, it's a goddamn arms race

Bandwagon's full, please catch another

I'm the leading man
And the lies I weave are oh so intricate, oh so intricate
I'm the leading man
And the lies I weave are oh so intricate, oh so intricate

All the boys who the dancefloor didn't love, and all the girls whose lips couldn't move fast enough, sing, until your lungs give out

This ain't a scene, it's a goddamn arms race
This ain't a scene, it's a goddamn arms race
(Now You)
This ain't a scene, it's a goddamn arms race
(Wear Out The Groove)
This ain't a scene, it's a goddamn arms race
(Sing Out Loud)
This ain't a scene, it's a goddamn arms race
(Oh,oh)
This ain't a scene, it's a goddamn arms race

I'm the leading man
And the lies I weave are oh so intricate, oh so intricate
I'm the leading man
And the lies I weave are oh so intricate, oh so intricate



Lyrics submitted by woulduhvtheguts

Track duration: 03:32


This Ain't a Scene, It's an Arms Race song meanings
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  • 0
    Song Meaning:This song is about the fight for popularity in the music world. Pete owns the label that produced bands like Panic! Th The Disco who were big at this time. It didn't matter who won the fight for popularity cause he would still get money.
    This is also a response song to non other than P!ATD's smash hit " I write Sins Not Tragedies."
    Flag jayybuchananon April 09, 2013   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:This song certainly isn't their best, but that doesn't mean you should completely tear it to pieces. There are still some good, meaningful lyrics in there :)
    Flag EmilySophieRoseon January 04, 2012   Link
  • 0
    Song Meaning:Okay no-one accually talk alot about what the song is about so i'm going to save everyone time by writing it here. i think its about a music stars agent.

    I am an arms dealer fitting you with weapons in the form of words
    And (don't really care which side wins)
    As long as the room keeps singing that's just the business I'm in

    He tries to make his clients popular by spreading rumours and controling all the info the that comes out about them.

    I'm the leading man
    And the lies I weave are oh so intricate, oh so intricate
    I'm the leading man
    And the lies I weave are oh so intricate, oh so intricate

    After the star are used up he gives up on them

    I wrote the gospel on giving up (and looking pretty sinking)
    But the real bombshells have already sunk (primadonnas of the gutter)


    but while there famous they try to make everything about them seem great even the bad stuff.

    At night we're painting your trash gold, while you sleep
    Crashing not like hips or cars but more like p-p-p-parti

    Lots of songs that are written now have a bit for people to sing along with to make them feel like there a part of somthing

    All the boys who the dancefloor didn't love, and all the girls whose lips couldn't move fast enough, sing, until your lungs give out

    Basically i think FOB have just made a song that makes fun of the music industry and everyone whos stupid enough to follow the popular songs.

    Bandwagon's full, please catch another

    Thats all.
    Flag maddyboredon January 15, 2011   Link
  • 0
    Song Meaning:Does the quote, "My pen is the barrel of my gun remind me of which side you should be on," come to mind? Arrogance of how much his words can do comparing it to weapons which is a great concept because these days words can kill i.e. wiki-leaks.
    Flag glowinthedark47on January 14, 2011   Link
  • 0
    Song Meaning:Does the quote, "My pen is the barrel of my gun remind me of which side you should be on," come to mind? Arrogance of how much his words can do comparing it to weapons which is a great concept because these days words can kill i.e. wiki-leaks.
    Flag glowinthedark47on January 14, 2011   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:Love this song. Pretty sure the easy explaination is this song is about how the "scene" Fall Out Boy is sucked in with (the "emo/pop-punk" scene) is actually quite competitive and not just about having fun. The guys of FOB are saying with this song that if they're gonna be lumped into this scene then they're gonna be on top. So long as people are singing their songs that's what's important. Because Fall Out Boy was on this scene first, therefore they're calling themselves the best and that won't change. He's saying he can lie and get away with it because these kiddies just trying to be apart of the scene will believe anything with Fall Out Boy's name on it. Overall, the song is arrogant because it has to be.
    Flag babyghostrogueon October 03, 2010   Link
  • 0
    My Interpretation:I think this song is talking about the scene with Fall Out Boy, Panic at the Disco, My Chemical Romance, etc.
    I think it is saying its not a scene its a war.
    Flag rightwhereitbelongs28on March 22, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:Here's my opinion. I think this song (or at least the chorus) is about how no matter what "scene" you run with, it's always kind of a contest. Basically the singer is saying "I don't care what side you're on, I just want to mix things up and start rumors." The singer is kind of in a controlling position, like if he keeps everyone mad at each other, he's always on top.

    "Fitting you with weapons in the form of words"
    Basically saying, I'll give you rumors to spread about them.

    He wants to be the "leading man" by spreading lies that are "oh so intricate."

    Yeah, that's what I think. It's about someone who stays above conflict by way of creating it.
    Of course, I'll always love the misheard lyrics "I'm a little man, and I'm also evil, also into cats" :P
    Flag taylorofthephunkon May 20, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:Wow, my bf's got Live at the Phoenix and this song is so amazing live! FOB are amazing live and when i first heard them I just fell in love. Patrick's voice is gorgeous and the lyrics are fab. Yay for FOB! And the people who only use this page to criticise them are wasting their time - no one really cares, because most people who check these lyrics love their music!
    Flag jellybeanseverywhereon April 25, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment: i believe what he's referring to as the bandwagon, is the numerous bands that jumped on their coat-tails whenever they came out and road it to their own fame as well, but i also think it is referring to all the people that started paying attention to the band after FUCT, who aren't fans of the band, only of the few songs that made the radio, and started calling themselves fans because it was suddenly cool to like FOB aka bandwagon fans. they make the music for themselves, not for their fans, and it may be aimed toward something like "we don't need you (bandwagon fans), we've already got enough fans (who have been with us the whole way)"
    Flag iAMtheDREAMERon February 23, 2009   Link

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