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These four years were a suicide
But you volunteered and kept it alive
So you can't complain, no you can't complain, no you can't complain, no you can't complain
You can't fix what was born to break
So the marriage lives for the children's sake
And you can't complain, no you can't complain, no you can't complain, no you can't complain
"This is what you signed up for" (Take me off that list)
"This is what you signed up for"
And when tomorrow comes, you're gonna write a song
You're gonna send it out to me
'Cause I'm so vain (No you can't complain)
No you can't complain when you can't come back to me.
These 4 years were a suicide
And you're worse off now 'cause you did survive
But you can't complain, no you can't complain, no you can't complain, no you can't complain
Life turns out just a stepping stone
You forget yourself
You should have known (That you can't complain)
You should've known better. (No you can't complain)
And now you can't complain when you can't come back to me
"This is what you signed up for" (Take me off that list)
"This is what you signed up for"
But when tomorrow comes, you're gonna write a song
You're gonna send it out to me
'Cause I'm so vain (no, you can't complain)
No you can't complain when you can't come back
And when tomorrow comes, you're gonna write a song
You're gonna send it out to me
'Cause I'm so vain (no, you can't complain)
No you can't complain when you can't come back to me
You can't come back to me
This will end (This will end)
If you choose
To do nothing, nothing
This will end (This will end)
If you choose
To do nothing, nothing
This will end (This will end)
If you choose
To do nothing, nothing, nothing
But I can't live like this(I can't live like this)
No I won't be here
And when tomorrow comes, you're gonna write a song
You're gonna send it out to me
'Cause I'm so vain (no, you can't complain)
And when tomorrow comes, you're gonna write a song
You're gonna send it out to me
'Cause I'm so vain (no, you can't complain)
And when tomorrow comes, you're gonna write a song
You're gonna send it out to me
but you can't complain
to me
But you volunteered and kept it alive
So you can't complain, no you can't complain, no you can't complain, no you can't complain
You can't fix what was born to break
So the marriage lives for the children's sake
And you can't complain, no you can't complain, no you can't complain, no you can't complain
"This is what you signed up for" (Take me off that list)
"This is what you signed up for"
And when tomorrow comes, you're gonna write a song
You're gonna send it out to me
'Cause I'm so vain (No you can't complain)
No you can't complain when you can't come back to me.
These 4 years were a suicide
And you're worse off now 'cause you did survive
But you can't complain, no you can't complain, no you can't complain, no you can't complain
Life turns out just a stepping stone
You forget yourself
You should have known (That you can't complain)
You should've known better. (No you can't complain)
And now you can't complain when you can't come back to me
"This is what you signed up for" (Take me off that list)
"This is what you signed up for"
But when tomorrow comes, you're gonna write a song
You're gonna send it out to me
'Cause I'm so vain (no, you can't complain)
No you can't complain when you can't come back
And when tomorrow comes, you're gonna write a song
You're gonna send it out to me
'Cause I'm so vain (no, you can't complain)
No you can't complain when you can't come back to me
You can't come back to me
This will end (This will end)
If you choose
To do nothing, nothing
This will end (This will end)
If you choose
To do nothing, nothing
This will end (This will end)
If you choose
To do nothing, nothing, nothing
But I can't live like this(I can't live like this)
No I won't be here
And when tomorrow comes, you're gonna write a song
You're gonna send it out to me
'Cause I'm so vain (no, you can't complain)
And when tomorrow comes, you're gonna write a song
You're gonna send it out to me
'Cause I'm so vain (no, you can't complain)
And when tomorrow comes, you're gonna write a song
You're gonna send it out to me
but you can't complain
to me
Lyrics submitted by SubtleAsABrick
Track duration: 03:59
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So I think that this song is actually about Taking Back Sunday, but has a bigger emphasis on Adam. I understand why Adam would get fired up and write a blog about it, I mean that first line, "These four years were a suicide", ouch. Those are some pretty powerful words by Fred.
I heard that Fred and the rest of the band used to fight and argue a lot, like my band and me. Whenever I'd come up with an idea, they would just shoot me down, which I'm sure Taking Back Sunday did to Fred. Like this_glass_house said, I believe most of Fred's influence and sound came out during the Where You Want To Be record. However, in Louder Now, everything turned and Fred got overrun. And honestly, I know how that feels, so I totally feel Fred's pain. He seems like such a humble guy, it's terrible that a band would treat him that way.
But it is a good thing that his departure was so peaceful, ending with dinner with Matt Rubano:]
<3 love ya Fred! (he was always my favorite member of TBS)
For example:
TBS: This is what you signed up for.
Fred: Take me off that list!
TBS: And when tomorrow comes, you're gonna write a song, you're gonna send it out to me, cause i'm so vain...no, you can't complain.
Fred: No, you can't complain when you can't come back to me.
I think it's about them not really appreciating him and forcing him to do things he doesn't want to do, and then when he gets angry and rebels, they tell him that, well, this is what he's choosing to do, so he can't complain.
I think the rest is pretty obvious, it's just about his last days in the band and struggling with the decision of quitting.
I think the last time the chorus is sung, the dynamic changes, and it's Fred talking to TBS, telling them he has the upper hand now, and he's better off, and now they're the ones that can't complain.
That's just my interpretation. It could be wrong, but I like it.
and another thing, its easy to blame Adam for Fred leaving but sometimes its not the singer/leader's fault. the Louder Now TBS is alot more profitable than the WYWTB TBS so naturaly they are gonna lean on the profitable side of the table, and maybe Fred just couldnt put his heart into something that had no heart so he left. i dont blame him. thats why i left my band. its hard to emotionaly 'sell' a song/story if YOU yourself dont believe it!
The opening line hits tbs hard.
This will end If you choose
To do nothing, nothing...
Hes basically calling them out and wanting the last say. BUt he knows tbs will send out a song to him and I cant wait to hear it.
it makes sense with the "marriage" being the actual band, and the "children" as all of the fans.
:)