Know something about this song or lyrics?
Add it to our wiki.
You never wanted this
So now I'm taking it from you
Back in the hands of the natives of this land
You're a fallen star
You know not what you are
We're escaping through the tunnels deep beneath you
People like you are why people like me exist
Persist to spit upon your writ
People like you are why people like me defy your lies
So here's your kiss goodbye
Don't you look at her
Don't even say a word
You had your chance and you sold it secondhand
Repressed and overdressed
Brand a scarlet letter on your chest
Here's where second best overtakes the rest
People like you are why people like me exist
Persist to spit upon your writ
People like you are why people like me defy your lies
So here's your kiss goodbye
We see, we see right through
We see, we see right through you
We see, we see right through
We see right through you
A person's not more than a thing
The day his insides cease to sting
Yeah
Get on your gloves and take the ring
Vacate your throne, unholy king of kings
Whoa yeah
People like you are why people like me exist
Persist (persist) to spit upon your writ
People like you are why people like me defy (defy) your lies (your lies)
So here's your kiss goodbye
People like you
People like you
People like you are why people defy your lies
So here's a kiss goodbye
So now I'm taking it from you
Back in the hands of the natives of this land
You're a fallen star
You know not what you are
We're escaping through the tunnels deep beneath you
People like you are why people like me exist
Persist to spit upon your writ
People like you are why people like me defy your lies
So here's your kiss goodbye
Don't you look at her
Don't even say a word
You had your chance and you sold it secondhand
Repressed and overdressed
Brand a scarlet letter on your chest
Here's where second best overtakes the rest
People like you are why people like me exist
Persist to spit upon your writ
People like you are why people like me defy your lies
So here's your kiss goodbye
We see, we see right through
We see, we see right through you
We see, we see right through
We see right through you
A person's not more than a thing
The day his insides cease to sting
Yeah
Get on your gloves and take the ring
Vacate your throne, unholy king of kings
Whoa yeah
People like you are why people like me exist
Persist (persist) to spit upon your writ
People like you are why people like me defy (defy) your lies (your lies)
So here's your kiss goodbye
People like you
People like you
People like you are why people defy your lies
So here's a kiss goodbye
Add your thoughts
Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.
Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!
1st line: “this” could be pop culture recognition, acknowledging that there is a disdain for bands who’ve become too mainstream. The genre's musicians being represented as natives says that they have a right to their land, they've earned their place in pop culture. These musicians are taking back their admiration, because "you" doesn't deserve it. Further “you” doesn’t even know what he is-- a progenitor of the genre that he seems to loathe. So in a subversive way the contemporary musicians are branching out (thru the "tunnels") into something new and leaving behind the former idols who have forsaken them.
in the 1st line of the chorus there’s a nice duality. It suggests the inspiration of earlier musicians (without whom we wouldnt have our contemporaries);but also the fact that part of what makes max’ existence important in music is that he’s providing a retort to the hataz. There seems to be duality in the 2nd line as well: spitting upon the music/lyrics written could represent the supposed decay in good music "the genre" has brought about; or it could be spitting as a sign of disrespect. If he means “writ” in the legal sense, it could signify giving the finger to the rules ppl impose on what’s good music and what’s rock etc. The last part of the chorus is pretty self-explanatory.
“her” in the 2nd verse is the genre and this is like a STFU to “you”, basically calling him a sellout (anyone thinking Tim Kinsella? lol). “Repressed and overdressed” suggests the snobbish pretension of the so-called real musicians. Tbh, not sure I get the scarlet letter reference. Haven’t read the book yet unfortunately & haven’t seen the movie. I’m gonna guess tho lol & say that since the genre is represented by a girl, adultery would represent the betrayal of the genre's musicians by the very ppl they admire.
Last verse, 2nd line is a defense, saying that the genre's music is valid b/c if you can’t feel those negative emotions that typify the genre then you’re not really human anymore. And now Max is ready to fight and dethrone those former music idols that think they’re such hot shit.
Mostly though I think this song is about cause and effect, they're definitely using some historical and literal references to stress that point. In the scarlet letter Hester's adultry ITSELF isn't really isn't the story, the story is about what actions caused her to do that, it justifies her actions.
The part at the end kind confuses me
we see right through you
a persons not more than a thing the day his insides cease to sting
get on your gloves and take the ring
vacate your throne, unholy king of kings
I kinda feel that this part of the song is her saying 'well no shit idiot everyone deals with temptation, everyone deals with urges you're dead when those go away. Vacate your throne, unholy king of kings. I feel like she's kicking him out of their place and mocking him. But I could be wrong
However, if new bedlam belongs to the cult of idiots who use the word chill I feel no pain.
Though, I really don't think Retarded In Love is about him cheating. I think that song is a lot more loving than it seems at first glance.