Ivy
The Football Club Lyrics
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And she makes lots of mistakes but never learns any lessons
And she cried on my shoulder the last time we were together
And said, "I just don't know how to make anything better"
And I said, "I know that it's tempting to regress on your goals
In the medicine section of Essendon Coles"
But just try, just try
Just try, just try
And your boyfriend's abhorrent but you still adore him
Yeah, he treats like you like shit, but you'd still do anything for him
And I said, "I made my rapist a Spotify playlist
When I turned eighteen as my own little birthday gift"
And she said, "Jesus; I can't believe the way that they treat us
I wish they'd all take the time to walk a mile in my Adidas"
And, just try, just try
Just try, just try
And I said, as long as you're trying, that's fine by me
I'm just trying to save you from poison, Ivy
And I know that I'm changing and it might seem strange
And yeah, I understand if you don't want to call me my name
Yeah, it makes me upset, but I try not to let it get to me
I've adjusted to the fact you'll probably never call me Ruby
And that's fine, that's fine
That's fine, that's fine
That's
But just try, just try
Get fucking and just try, just try
And I said, as long as you're trying, that's fine by me
I'm just trying to save you from poison, Ivy
The Football Club's song "Ivy" deals with complex themes around friendship, relationships, and personal growth. In the first verse, the singer talks about their best friend's struggles with mental health and the inability to learn from their mistakes. The friend confides in the singer, expressing a sense of hopelessness and despair, but the singer encourages them to keep trying and not to give up on their goals. The reference to the medicine section of Essendon Coles highlights the temptation to rely on medication as a quick fix, instead of addressing the root issues that contribute to mental health problems.
In the second verse, the focus shifts to the friend's toxic relationship with a partner who treats them poorly. The singer shares a personal story about making a playlist for their rapist's birthday, highlighting the complicated feelings that can arise in abusive relationships. The friend expresses frustration with the way they are treated, wishing that others could understand their perspective. Yet again, the singer encourages them not to give up and to keep trying despite the challenges.
The chorus reinforces the theme of perseverance and the importance of trying, even when things seem difficult. The final verse deals with the singer's own personal growth and the challenges they face in relation to their gender identity. The use of the name Ruby versus the singer's actual name reflects the struggle to be seen and accepted for who they are. Despite this, the singer remains determined to keep trying and encourages their friend to do the same.
Line by Line Meaning
My best friend's obsessive and manic depressive
My close companion is prone to obsession and mania and tends to be depressed
And she makes lots of mistakes but never learns any lessons
Despite making numerous errors, she fails to learn from them
And she cried on my shoulder the last time we were together
During our last meeting, she lamented on my shoulder
And said, "I just don't know how to make anything better"
She expressed her inability to improve anything
And I said, "I know that it's tempting to regress on your goals
I acknowledged that reverting to previous goals could be tempting
In the medicine section of Essendon Coles"
I metaphorically referred to a retail pharmacy known for drugs
But just try, just try
I encouraged her to keep trying
And your boyfriend's abhorrent but you still adore him
Her partner's behavior is terrible, yet she sees the best in him
Yeah, he treats like you like shit, but you'd still do anything for him
Despite his mistreatment, she is still devoted to him
And I said, "I made my rapist a Spotify playlist
I explained how I made something thoughtful for someone who caused me harm
When I turned eighteen as my own little birthday gift"
I created the playlist for my birthday, as a present to myself
And she said, "Jesus; I can't believe the way that they treat us
She expressed her disbelief and frustration at how they are treated
I wish they'd all take the time to walk a mile in my Adidas"
She wished others would try to empathize with her shoes
And I said, as long as you're trying, that's fine by me
I reassured her that as long as she's giving it a shot, I'm okay with it
I'm just trying to save you from poison, Ivy"
I am attempting to keep her from harmful situations and people
And I know that I'm changing and it might seem strange
I am aware that I am changing and that it may be unusual to her
And yeah, I understand if you don't want to call me my name
I empathize with her if she does not want to use my name
Yeah, it makes me upset, but I try not to let it get to me
While it does affect me, I attempt not to let it consume me
I've adjusted to the fact you'll probably never call me Ruby
I acknowledged adjusting to the reality that she might never address me by my name
And that's fine, that's fine
I am accepting of and okay with it
Get fucking and just try, just try
I forcefully urge her to give it a go and keep on trying
And I said, as long as you're trying, that's fine by me
Again, I reassure her that giving it a shot is enough for me
I'm just trying to save you from poison, Ivy
I am still looking out for her and attempting to protect her from harmful situations and individuals
Contributed by Kayla M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.