Sorry I couldn't be there, I was tied to a rocking chair
I was beat down to a pulp rocking back and forth somewhere
If you knew, if you saw, you'd have said it was the final straw
That my life was bound and tethered on a porch by the shore

But there is no no no no
Easy way to tell them so, the things you know
And run run run run
Run they say, they think they know exactly so

It's not right, it's not right
How am I the only one who sees us fight?
What are we? Who are they?
Who says those bastards don't deserve to pay?
Well it's enough, it's just enough 'cause we don't stand a chance
So long you stay around, you're just another song and dance
It's not fair, it's not fair, it's not fair, it's not fair
Still I'm the only one who seems to care

It's funny that being funny makes you feel like up and running
When your past lingers like rain clouds, casting shadows below
I could live with so many burns, I take all your hope and yearning
But there's no one I want to take me for that petty little rose

I used to glow glow glow glow
Once I had a love to show, a love they know
They're slow slow slow slow
So slow that they never know where I go

It's not right, it's not right
How am I the only one who sees us fight?
What are we? Who are they?
Who says those bastards don't deserve to pay?
Well it's enough, it's just enough 'cause we don't stand a chance
So long you stay around, you're just another song and dance
It's not fair, it's not fair, it's not fair, it's not fair
Still I'm the only one who seems to care

I know that it's only something
I'm just working with what I've been given
It's not my fault, I'm happy
Don't call me crazy, I'm happy

It's not right, it's not right
How am I the only one who sees us fight?
What are we? Who are they?
Who says those bastards don't deserve to pay?
Well it's enough, it's just enough 'cause we don't stand a chance
So long you stay around, you're just another song and dance
It's not fair, it's not fair, it's not fair, it's not fair
Still I'm the only one who seems to care

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Passion Pit's song, "It's Not My Fault I'm Happy," are a reflection of a person's struggle to be understood by those around them. The song's opening lines speak of being tied to a rocking chair, beaten down and bound to a porch by the shore. The individual is in a state of distress, and they recognize that the situation is one that others would see as hopeless. The lines "if you knew, if you saw, you'd have said it was the final straw" highlight this awareness.

Despite this knowledge, the individual struggles to find a way to communicate their feelings to those around them. They sing the lines, "there is no no no no easy way to tell them so, the things you know". They feel alone in their struggle and believe that no one truly understands what they are going through. The line "how am I the only one who sees us fight?" highlights this feeling of isolation further.

The chorus of the song speaks of a desire for justice while acknowledging that the odds are not in their favor. The lines "it's not fair, it's not fair, it's not fair, it's not fair" are a repetition of this sentiment. The singer recognizes that they are up against a system that is against them and that they don't stand a chance. Despite this, they are not willing to stop fighting. The final lines of the song, "don't call me crazy, I'm happy," speak of finding joy despite the pain they felt earlier.

Line by Line Meaning

Sorry I couldn't be there, I was tied to a rocking chair
I was confined and trapped in a hopeless state

I was beat down to a pulp rocking back and forth somewhere
I was physically and mentally exhausted and despondent

If you knew, if you saw, you'd have said it was the final straw
If you witnessed my struggle, you'd recognize it as a breaking point

That my life was bound and tethered on a porch by the shore
My existence was restricted and limited like a chained porch swing

But there is no no no no Easy way to tell them so, the things you know And run run run run Run they say, they think they know exactly so
It's not simple to convey your thoughts to those who believe they have all the answers

It's not right, it's not right How am I the only one who sees us fight? What are we? Who are they? Who says those bastards don't deserve to pay? Well it's enough, it's just enough 'cause we don't stand a chance So long you stay around, you're just another song and dance It's not fair, it's not fair, it's not fair, it's not fair Still I'm the only one who seems to care
It's unjust that I'm the only one who recognizes the issues and wants to resolve them, but the odds are against us and there are those who dismiss our struggles

It's funny that being funny makes you feel like up and running When your past lingers like rain clouds, casting shadows below I could live with so many burns, I take all your hope and yearning But there's no one I want to take me for that petty little rose
Humor can be a coping mechanism, but the memories of trauma can still haunt and dampen your mood. I'm willing to endure pain for others, but I don't want to be taken for granted or underestimated

I used to glow glow glow glow Once I had a love to show, a love they know They're slow slow slow slow So slow that they never know where I go
I used to radiate happiness and affection, but now I feel ignored by those who are indifferent and clueless about my feelings

I know that it's only something I'm just working with what I've been given It's not my fault, I'm happy Don't call me crazy, I'm happy
I acknowledge that my happiness is related to my circumstances, but I'm doing my best with what I have. I don't deserve to be dismissed as insane for feeling content

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