Do every stupid thing that makes you feel alive
Do every stupid thing to try to drive the dark away
Let people call you crazy for the choices that you make
Climb limits past the limits
Jump in front of trains all day

And stay alive
Just stay alive

Play with matches if you think you need to play with matches
Seek out the hidden places where the fire burns hot and bright
Find where the heat's unbearable and stay there if you have to
Don't hurt anybody on your way up to the light

And stay alive
Just stay alive

People might laugh at your tattoos
When they do get new ones in completely garish hues
I hide down in my corner because I like my corner
I am happy where the vermin play

Make up magic spells
We wear them like protective shells
Land-mines on the battlefield
Find the one safe way

And stay alive
Just stay alive


Lyrics submitted by mdon06

Amy aka Spent Gladiator 1 song meanings
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4 Comments

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  • +9
    General Comment

    Per John: “When Amy Winehouse died, I wrote the first ‘Spent Gladiator’. That’s what people don’t say when drug addicts die–that they are mentally ill, that it is a disease. I felt really sad and I thought about all the other Amy Winehouses in the world who aren’t famous, whose deaths go uncelebrated. Then I was sort of off to the races thinking–writing about people who were suffering with various psychic ills.”

    PeteF3on October 19, 2012   Link
  • +2
    General Comment

    It's a great opener. A great song about doing your own thing and not being ashamed or self-conscious.

    Not sure if the rest of the album has the same ratio of good to simple. I'll have to let it grow and see.

    antihexeon October 09, 2012   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    I am IN LOVE with this song. I've had two MG songs on my phone for years and only this week decided to look into them a little more. My god, what I've been missing!!!

    tabularasa85on June 28, 2015   Link
  • -1
    General Comment

    What a great song?!

    turnstileson October 04, 2012   Link

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