Blueprint
Fugazi Lyrics
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I'm not playing with you
I'm not playing with you, yeah, you
I'm not playing with you
I'm not playing with you
I'm not playing with you, yeah, you
I'm not playing with you
I'm not playing with you
I'm not playing with you
I clean forgot how to play
But you can still come around
In fact I invite you down
Maybe together
We can wipe that smile off your face
'Cause what a difference
What a difference
What a difference
A little difference would make
We'll draw a blueprint
It must be easy
It's just a matter
Of knowing when to say no or yes
Frustrating, frustrating
Always waiting for the bigger axe to fall
A patient game I can't find my way to play
Find my way to play
Not knowing
Never mind what's been selling
It's what you're buying
And receiving undefiled
Never mind what's been selling
It's what you're buying
And receiving undefiled
Never mind what's been selling
It's what you're buying
And receiving undefiled
Never mind what's been selling
It's what you're buying
Receiving undefiled
Never mind
Never mind
Never mind
Not knowing to play
Never mind
Never mind
Never mind
Not knowing to play
Never mind
Never mind
Never mind
Not knowing to play
Never mind
Never mind
Never mind
Lost the way
Not knowing to play
Not knowing
The lyrics to Fugazi's song Blueprint appear to be a commentary on the struggles of navigating life and relationships, perhaps specifically within the music industry. The repetitive opening lines, "I'm not playing with you," suggest a reluctance to engage in some sort of game or power play, yet at the same time the singer seems to admit to having "clean forgot how to play". This could mean that they feel out of their depth or unsure of how to navigate a certain situation.
The invitation for the other person to come around and possibly work together to "wipe that smile off your face" could be seen as a challenge to overcome a perceived power dynamic or hierarchy. The title phrase "Blueprint" suggests a plan or strategy for success, yet the frustration of "always waiting for the bigger axe to fall" hints at a feeling of powerlessness or lack of control. The final repetition of "not knowing to play" emphasizes the theme of feeling lost or unsure of how to succeed in a complex environment.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm not playing with you
I am being serious and not joking around
I clean forgot how to play
I have lost the ability to enjoy myself and have fun
We'll draw a blueprint / It must be easy / It's just a matter / Of knowing when to say no or yes
We will create a plan for how to navigate life, which should be simple as long as we know when to refuse or consent
Frustrating, frustrating / Always waiting for the bigger axe to fall / A patient game I can't find my way to play
I am fed up with the anxiety that comes with waiting for something bad to happen, and I can't seem to figure out how to handle it patiently
Never mind what's been selling / It's what you're buying / And receiving undefiled
Do not be influenced by what is popular, but instead focus on what you want and make sure you get it without being corrupted or diluted
Not knowing to play / Never mind / Lost the way
I am struggling to enjoy life or navigate it properly, and it is causing me confusion and frustration
Lyrics © ROUGH TRADE PUBLISHING
Written by: Brendan Canty, Joe Lally, Ian MacKaye, Guy Picciotto
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind