Look at everyone
There are new one’s being listed close to telling
everyone take a look
look at the lives took so far

this guy had a son
a newborn that he never got to hold onto
hold everything I hate this sight
we’re not the ones that went to fight this war

so go on give in and get ‘em out
spin it anyway you want to we know what you’re all about
saving lives instead of young face
there might be one small saving grace
if only someone kept us safe from you!

this one’s 21
his dad said the core was all he ever dreamed of
His marine core dreams well they came true
But he didn’t get to be 22
This list

It goes on and on and on
There are new one’s being listed close to telling now
I wished everyday another pose
Pray to god and hope we’re almost through with this

so go on give in and get ‘em out
spin it anyway you want to we know what you’re all about
saving lives instead of young face
there might be one small saving grace
if only someone kept us safe from you!

Mission accomplished
cut them loose
What is will be
what’s done is done
You’ve fooled us all and fooled no-one
Will it be worth it, was it fun?

Weep, rip, we hope, we cope, oh well
I hope you’re happy right in hell

so go on give in and get ‘em out
spin it anyway you want to we know what you’re all about
saving lives instead of young face
there might be one small saving grace
if only someone kept us safe from you!

go on give in and get ‘em out

Overall Meaning

The Mighty Mighty Bosstones's song This List is a commentary on the high cost of war, both in terms of human lives lost and the toll it takes on those left behind. The lyrics reflect on the fact that there is a constant stream of new names being added to the list of those who have died, and the devastating impact this has on families and communities. The song is critical of the politicians and leaders who send young men and women to fight and die in wars that often seem senseless and futile.

The verses of the song offer brief glimpses of the lives lost: a father who never got to hold his newborn son, a young man who dreamed of serving in the Marine Corps but never made it to his 22nd birthday. The chorus expresses anger and frustration at those in power who make decisions that result in so much loss and suffering. The repeated refrain of "go on give in and get 'em out" suggests a call for accountability and a demand for change.

Overall, This List is a powerful and emotional protest song that speaks to the senselessness of war and the human cost of violence.

Line by Line Meaning

Look at everyone
Take notice of all the names being added to "the list"

There are new one's being listed close to telling everyone take a look
More and more people are being added to the list and it's becoming more apparent to everyone

look at the lives took so far
Reflect on the lives lost in this war so far

this guy had a son
A man on the list had a newborn son he never got to hold

a newborn that he never got to hold onto
The man on the list never got to experience holding his newborn son

hold everything I hate this sight
This sight of people being added to the list is something the artist strongly dislikes

we’re not the ones that went to fight this war
The artist and their bandmates did not go to fight in the war

so go on give in and get ‘em out
The artist is urging someone to give in to the public demand and end the war

spin it anyway you want to we know what you’re all about
Despite the attempts to make the war seem justified in different ways, the artist knows the truth

saving lives instead of young face
Saving lives is prioritized over saving young soldiers

there might be one small saving grace
There's a small chance that some good might come out of this war

if only someone kept us safe from you!
If only there was someone who could protect us from those causing the war

his dad said the core was all he ever dreamed of
One of the people on the list was a young man who dreamed of joining the Marines

His marine core dreams well they came true
The young man’s dream of joining the Marines became a reality

But he didn’t get to be 22
Sadly, he never got to see his 22nd birthday because he was killed in the war

It goes on and on and on
The list of names being added to the list seems endless

I wished everyday another pose
The artist wishes there would be no more names being added to the list

Pray to god and hope we’re almost through with this
The artist is praying that the war is close to being over

Mission accomplished
The mission of ending the war has seemingly been accomplished, but at what cost?

cut them loose
The artist is urging those in charge to bring soldiers back home and end the war

What is will be
What has happened cannot be changed

what’s done is done
The past cannot be undone

You’ve fooled us all and fooled no-one
The artist believes that those in charge have not been truthful about the war or its purpose

Will it be worth it, was it fun?
The artist is questioning whether the war was worth the lives lost and if it brought any enjoyment to those causing it

Weep, rip, we hope, we cope, oh well
The artist is expressing a mix of emotions including sadness, grief, hope, and acceptance

I hope you’re happy right in hell
The artist is expressing a wish for those responsible for the war to suffer consequences in the afterlife

go on give in and get ‘em out
The artist is once again urging someone to end the war and bring soldiers back home

Contributed by Vivian B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.