Cooling Card
Jawbox Lyrics
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Faded hand to mouth as catalyst.
Technicolored static sender,
Secondguess my love for danger.
Bold-face it with a hand of 10 by 10.
Turn the cooling card
And show your hand to me.
Hands up, past time for both of us to see.
Clothes and match were pulled straight from my bed.
Fatal weather rolls around my head.
Burned the place down to the ground now,
And crazy head singed up this town;
Marked it with a blackened boldface T.
Since I've got myself an easy job,
Money passed behind and now I'm robbed.
Sold away my rights forever
To something that was multi-splendored.
I'll pass up the decision once again.
The lyrics of Jawbox's "Cooling Card" are quite abstract, making it difficult to pinpoint an exact meaning. However, it seems to depict a feeling of regret and paranoia. The first line, "Fear as friend I wish I'd never kissed," suggests that the singer has befriended his own fear, perhaps for the adrenaline rush that accompanies it, but in hindsight, he regrets allowing it to become a part of his life. The second line, "Faded hand to mouth as catalyst," indicates that the singer may have used drugs or alcohol to heighten his sense of danger.
The third line, "Technicolored static sender," paints an image of distorted and chaotic communication, providing no clear guidance or direction. The singer is torn between the love for the thrill of danger and the instinctual urge to second-guess himself. The use of the phrase "Bold-face it with a hand of 10 by 10" could be interpreted as being confident and unapologetic in the face of challenges, despite the singer's internal doubts.
The chorus, "Turn the cooling card and show your hand to me. Hands up, past time for both of us to see," could be interpreted in several ways. Perhaps it refers to exposing one's true intentions, living life transparently and openly, rather than hiding behind a facade of confidence. It could also be a call to action for a confrontation, asking the person with whom the singer is communicating to reveal their true intentions.
Line by Line Meaning
Fear as friend I wish I'd never kissed;
I regret embracing fear like a friend.
Faded hand to mouth as catalyst.
I turned to unhealthy coping mechanisms to handle my fear.
Technicolored static sender,
My fear is amplified by exaggerated and distorted thoughts.
Secondguess my love for danger.
I am beginning to question if I really enjoy taking dangerous risks.
Bold-face it with a hand of 10 by 10.
I am determined to confront my fear head-on.
Turn the cooling card
Take a step back and assess the situation calmly.
And show your hand to me.
Be honest and open about your true intentions.
Hands up, past time for both of us to see.
It is time for both parties to be transparent and accountable.
Clothes and match were pulled straight from my bed.
I acted impulsively without thinking of the consequences.
Fatal weather rolls around my head.
My thoughts are consumed with negativity and despair.
Burned the place down to the ground now,
I destroyed everything I had built in my life.
And crazy head singed up this town;
My erratic behavior caused chaos and destruction.
Marked it with a blackened boldface T.
My actions will forever leave a dark stain on this place.
Since I've got myself an easy job,
I settled for an unfulfilling and mundane job.
Money passed behind and now I'm robbed.
I sacrificed my passion and purpose for financial security and stability.
Sold away my rights forever
I relinquished my freedom and autonomy for steady income.
To something that was multi-splendored.
I gave up my dreams for a job that promised variety and excitement.
I'll pass up the decision once again.
I am too scared to take a risk and make a decision that could change my life.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: JAMES ROBBINS, KIM COLETTA, W.C. BARBOT, ZACHARY BAROCAS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind