The four-piece's commercial breakthrough came with the successful release of several singles from the album Bleed American (2001). Four singles from the album charted within the Top 20 positions of the Alternative Songs chart, with "The Middle" reaching the #1 position. Jimmy Eat World's follow-up album Futures (2004) featured another Alternative number one song, "Pain". The RIAA certified Bleed American platinum and Futures gold, rewarding the two albums for selling over one and a half million records between them. The band's sixth album, Chase This Light (2007), became their highest charting album, peaking at number five on the Billboard 200.
Discography:
1994 - Jimmy Eat World
1996 - Static Prevails
1999 - Clarity
2001 - Bleed American
2004 - Futures
2007 - Chase This Light
2010 - Invented
2013 - Damage
2016 - Integrity Blues
2019 - Surviving
Band members:
Jim Adkins – vocals, guitar
Zach Lind – drums
Tom Linton – guitar, vocals
Rick Burch – bass
http://www.jimmyeatworld.com/.
Blister
Jimmy Eat World Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You let me down
It hasn't been the first time
As I'm falling in the pit of fire
My mind's made up
I'm never coming back here
[Chorus]
And how long would it take me
To walk across the United States
All alone?
The west coast has been traumatized
And I think I'm the only one
Still alive
Is it just a coincidence
To see you by
Yourself with no direction?
Now it's time to move on and
Don't you know
That things aren't getting better
[Chorus]
When the world caves in
What'cha gonna do?
When the world caves in
What'cha gonna do for me?
What'cha gonna do for me?
What'cha gonna do for me?
What'cha gonna do for me?
(Don't try and stop me
Because I'm falling fast
Into this pit of fire
Which surrounds us all
In a blanket of fear
That I've been wrapped in for years?
Don't try and stop me
You can't stop me)
[Chorus: x2]
In Jimmy Eat World's song Blister, the lyrics explore the aftermath of a failed relationship. The opening lines, "Take advantage of these times, you said. You let me down. It hasn't been the first time," suggest that the singer has been strung along and let down by their partner multiple times. The chorus, with the line "And how long would it take me to walk across the United States all alone?" indicates that the singer is truly feeling lost and alone. The west coast has been "traumatized," perhaps a metaphor for the emotional turmoil the singer feels, and they feel alone in their pain.
The second verse begins with "Is it just a coincidence to see you by yourself with no direction?" which implies that the singer has seen their ex-partner struggling and alone, but they are still determined to move on. The chorus repeats, emphasizing the singer's feeling of isolation in a difficult time. The final verse shifts to a more general outlook, with the line "When the world caves in, what'cha gonna do for me?" suggesting a feeling of wanting support from others during tough times.
The repetition of "Don't try and stop me" in the bridge indicates a sense of determination in the singer. They are falling fast into a "pit of fire" but are not interested in being saved. The final repetition of the chorus reinforces that the singer is alone in their pain and needs support from others.
Line by Line Meaning
Take advantage of these times, you said
You gave me permission to make the most of our current situation
You let me down
Unfortunately, you disappointed me
It hasn't been the first time
This wasn't the first time you let me down
As I'm falling in the pit of fire
I feel like I'm sinking into a terrible situation
My mind's made up
I am certain of my decision
I'm never coming back here
I won't return to this negative situation
And how long would it take me
I'm curious about the amount of time it would take
To walk across the United States
To cross the country on foot
All alone?
Without anyone accompanying me?
The west coast has been traumatized
The area along the Pacific coast is suffering from emotional distress
And I think I'm the only one
I believe I'm the sole survivor
Still alive
Still breathing and surviving
Is it just a coincidence
Is it a random, unrelated event
To see you by
Encountering you unexpectedly
Yourself with no direction?
Without any goals or plan for the future?
Now it's time to move on and
It's time to leave this situation behind and
Don't you know
Haven't you realized
That things aren't getting better
The situation is not improving
When the world caves in
When all seems lost and hopeless
What'cha gonna do?
What are you going to do?
What'cha gonna do for me?
What can you do to help me in this situation?
What'cha gonna do for me?
What can you do to support me?
What'cha gonna do for me?
What kind of assistance can I expect from you?
What'cha gonna do for me?
What actions will you take to aid me?
(Don't try and stop me
Please don't attempt to prevent me from
Because I'm falling fast
Since I'm quickly heading downhill
Into this pit of fire
Towards this terrible situation
Which surrounds us all
That affects everyone
In a blanket of fear
Draped in a feeling of anxiety and terror
That I've been wrapped in for years?
Which has consumed me for a long time?
You can't stop me)
Your efforts to stop me will be fruitless)
[Chorus: x2]
This chorus is repeated twice throughout the song
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: JAMES CHRISTOPHER ADKINS, RICHARD E BURCH, THOMAS DARRELL LINTON, ZACHARY MICHEL LIND
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind