Born Ruffians released their first album under their current name in 2006. The self-titled EP was followed by the 2008 release of ”Red, Yellow & Blue”. Their sophomore album was critically well received, earning an Independent Music Awards nomination for Pop/Rock Album of the year. In 2010, Born Ruffians released their second full-length album, ”Say It”.
In April of 2013, the band released another LP, titled ”Birthmarks”, with Yep Roc and Paper Bag Records.
This Sentence Will Ruin/Save Your Life
Born Ruffians Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
and what I'm going to do while I'm on earth
I need to understand
everything and everybody's lives
I need to get up tomorrow
I have to mail that letter and pay that bill
deadlines, deadlines, deadlines
write that essay, and pray on the windowsill
lines, lines jump from line to line
just one, do one at a time
this one's all about mine mine mine
solve one try then keep on trying
i'm sculpting my philosophy
in patterns going 1,2,3
I'm trying your monogamy
in increments of 1 through 3
I need to eat I'm hungry
I'll grab a bight of a BLT
That's all I want right now...
With some juice, no... coffee.
I need a girlfriend, I'm lonely
Someone to love me and fuck me
I need to get laid immediately
But also someone to fulfill my needs
I need success to be wealthy
I'm hanging on to my simplicity
I need a nice car and nice clothes
Fatter lips and a smaller nose
I need to learn I need to grow
I want to know. No no no no no no no no
I need nice hair... no women
Nice hair, then women. Until then...
lines, lines jump from line to line
just one, do one at a time
this one's all about mine mine mine
solve one try then keep on trying
I'm sculpting my philosophy
in patterns going 1,2,3
I'm trying post modernity
in increments of 1 through 3
The lyrics to Born Ruffians’ song This Sentence Will Ruin/Save Your Life illustrate one’s constant search for identity, desire for success, and yearning to satisfy basic human needs. The singer expresses their need to discover who they are and what their purpose is while they are alive. They also state they want to understand the lives of others around them. These lines signify the human need for self-discovery and to make a difference in the world.
The following lines speak of the mundane tasks of everyday life, from paying bills to writing essays. The singer acknowledges the presence of deadlines and stresses the importance of accomplishing tasks one step at a time. These lines also suggest that living in the moment is necessary to maintain a sense of control over one's life. The phrase, "pray on the windowsill," could also represent the feelings of uncertainty and need for guidance.
The last lines of each verse are comparisons that suggest the singer’s desire to structure their life, whether it’s sculpting a philosophy or trying monogamy or post-modernity. However, the next verse shows the singer’s craving for more basic needs such as food and sex. These lines indicate that no matter how organized a person tries to be, one cannot deny their human needs.
Line by Line Meaning
I need to know who I am
I am searching for my true identity
and what i'm going to do while I'm on earth
I want to find my purpose in life
I need to understand
I desire an understanding of all things
everything and everybody's lives
I want to comprehend every aspect of everyone's lives
I need to get up tomorrow
I have responsibilities to attend to
I have to mail that letter and pay that bill
I have important tasks to complete
deadlines, deadlines, deadlines
I feel the pressure of time constraints
write that essay, and pray on the windowsill
I have an essay to write and I hope for success
lines, lines jump from line to line
My thoughts are scattered and unfocused
just one, do one at a time
I should focus on one task at a time
this one's all about mine mine mine
I am self-centered in my pursuits
solve one try then keep on trying
I will keep attempting until I succeed
i'm sculpting my philosophy
I am developing my personal beliefs
in patterns going 1,2,3
I am organizing my thoughts in a structured manner
I'm trying your monogamy
I am attempting to adhere to societal norms regarding romantic relationships
in increments of 1 through 3
I am making progress in small steps
I need to eat I'm hungry
I am experiencing hunger
I'll grab a bight of a BLT
I will eat a BLT sandwich
That's all I want right now...
My current desire is to eat a BLT
With some juice, no... coffee.
A drink choice to accompany my meal
I need a girlfriend, I'm lonely
I desire a romantic partner
Someone to love me and fuck me
I seek both emotional and physical intimacy
I need to get laid immediately
I seek immediate sexual satisfaction
But also someone to fulfill my needs
I desire someone who can meet my emotional and physical needs
I need success to be wealthy
I crave monetary success
I'm hanging on to my simplicity
I value simplicity in my life
I need a nice car and nice clothes
I desire material possessions
Fatter lips and a smaller nose
I am unhappy with my physical appearance
I need to learn I need to grow
I desire personal growth and learning
I want to know. No no no no no no no no
I am frustrated with my lack of knowledge
I need nice hair... no women
Personal appearance is important to me
Nice hair, then women. Until then...
I prioritize personal appearance over seeking a romantic partner
I'm trying post modernity
I am exploring unconventional ideas and beliefs
in increments of 1 through 3
I am taking gradual steps in my exploration of post-modernity
Contributed by Katherine N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.