I saw in your bedroom, the drawers had been emptied.
Looking for answers but you won't admit it now.
You don't need a reason, that's what you tell me but I still don't buy it.
You drink yourself silly night after night.

It makes me feel so good to always tell you when you're wrong.
The big man that I am to always have to put you down, put you down.

Then there's your girlfriend, she opens her legs and gives your life meaning.
Is that what you love her for?
The angel is always looking down, he's perfect without frown, the bully always wins.

It makes me feel so good to always tell you when you're wrong.
The big man that I am to always have to put you down, put you down.

It makes me feel so good to always tell you when you're wrong.
The big man that I am to always have to put you down.
It makes we look so good to always put you in your place.
I can write it in a song but never say it to your face, to your face.



Lyrics submitted by ScreamingInfidelity, edited by Mellow_Harsher

Track duration: 06:20

"Criticism as Inspiration" as written by David Shannon Bazan

Lyrics © BUG MUSIC

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Criticism as Inspiration song meanings
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22 Comments

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  • 0
    General Comment:whether or not this song is fictional or based on true events, i think it's about a guy who sees his friend or probably his older brother leaving and running away from responsibility. i say older brother because he feels good to put him in his place and he refers to himself and "the big man that i am" and because he feels good to tell him he's wrong. usually we just feel like a jerk when we have to tell someone younger than we are that they are wrong and that they are out of place. the younger brother also feels like his older brother takes things for granted, like his girlfriend, and he isn't acting like a grown man but it's hard for him to say these things to him face.
    i'm not sure what he means when he sings "the angel is always looking down, he's perfect without frown, the bully always wins". i want to hear some opinions about this.
    Flag imdaveyon May 03, 2012   Link
  • 0
    Song Meaning:s
    Flagged imdaveyon May 03, 2012   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:This song is my favorite Pedro the Lion song. Listening to it on a rainy day just "makes me feel so good".
    Okay that was pretty bad, but it seriously does.
    Flag weirdfisheson February 26, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:Reminds me of my old roommates when I first came to college. One an atheist, the other an alcoholic, and me, well me a "Christian."

    Funny how sometimes we feel better than those who don't share our lifestyle. I guess it does inspire us and makes us feel so good, no?
    Flag theOcutlon July 25, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I love how the guitar comes into it at "Makes me feel so good.." up until then it's all very low-key very mellow, and slow droning..then it works it's self up, and then back again. It makes me feel kinda sleepy, and reminicent. Excellent song.Excellent band.
    Flag Sleepagenton January 06, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:David Bazan: "I’ve always disliked one particular thing about all of my favorite indie rock songwriters like Elliott Smith and Doug Marsch. A lot of their songs were always themed in criticism. Like, “You’re such a fucking pro, but you don’t really know.” While I like their songs a lot, that part of them I never liked. And I had been somewhat vocal about that with some of my friends.
    Then I started writing this song. The first verse started coming out and I realized that I’m writing a song like that. So, I decided that I had to turn that around. I had to make fun of the fact that I’m writing a song like that. So I made light of my own tendency to build myself up by putting other people down that are always helpless in arguing with it, ‘cause it’s a song.
    This song just kind of goes back and forth between poking and criticizing somebody and then making light of what my motivation might be. "
    Flag etcetera_whateveron September 21, 2004   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:"and then there's your girlfriend
    she opens her legs and gives your life meaning
    is that what you love her for "
    the first time i heard this part, i couldn't even describe how it made me feel... wondering, is this what he loves me for??? and just the bluntness of "she opens her legs" indescribable...
    Flag Smitten Kittenon April 14, 2004   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:Yeah, I agree with churchclothes.
    BTW, is anyone going to cornerstone? Pedro's gonna be there
    Flag Bluron June 22, 2003   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:This is definitely one of the most beautiful songs I have ever heard. It is so sincere and full of emotion as well as a constructed song. David has a gift of showing his emotions and not just be condescending but personal. I am happy I will see him soon in Denver at the Bluebird. Hopefully I can meet him and tell him how this song helped me through one of the hardest times in my life.

    =Cheers=
    Flag WhodatThereon June 12, 2003   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:This is definitely one of the most beautiful songs I have ever heard. It is so sincere and full of emotion as well as a constructed song. David has a gift of showing his emotions and not just be condescending but personal. I am happy I will see him soon in Denver at the Bluebird. Hopefully I can meet him and tell him how this song helped me through one of the hardest times in my life.

    =Cheers=
    Flag WhodatThereon June 12, 2003   Link

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