Misunderstood
Wilco Lyrics
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The cigarettes taste so good
But you're so misunderstood
You're so misunderstood
There's something there that you can't find
You look honest when you're telling a lie
You hurt her but you don't know why
You love her but you don't know why
Short on long term goals
There's a party there that we ought to go to
If you still love rock and roll
If you still love rock and roll
It's only a quarter to three
Reflecting off of your CD
You're looking at a picture of me
You're staring at a picture of me
Take the guitar player for a ride
'Cause he ain't never been satisfied
He thinks he owes some kind of debt
Be years before he gets over it
There's a fortune inside your head
When all you touch turns to lead
You think you might just crawl back in bed
With the fortune inside your head
I know you're just a mama's boy
Positively unemployed
So misunderstood
You're so misunderstood
I know you've got a God-shaped hole
Bleeding out your heart full of soul
You're so misunderstood
You're so misunderstood
You're so misunderstood
You're so misunderstood
I'd like to thank you all for nothing
I'd like to thank you all for nothing at all
I'd like to thank you all for nothing
Nothing, nothing, nothing, nothing
Nothing at all
Nothing, nothing, nothing
Nothing at all
The Wilco song Misunderstood is a poignant reflection on the feeling of being misunderstood, a sentiment most people can relate to. The opening lines of the song describe a sense of nostalgia mixed with unease. Returning to the old neighborhood, the singer finds comfort in the taste of cigarettes but knows that they are not completely understood by those around them. The idea of being misunderstood continues throughout the song, with the singer struggling to understand their own behaviors and feelings.
The lines "There's something here that you can't find, You look honest when you're telling a lie, You hurt her but you don't know why, You love her but you don't know why" describe the confusion and complexity of human emotion. The singer is aware that they're not being their true selves, but they can't seem to help it.
The song also touches on the idea of ambition and the struggle to attain goals. The singer admits to being "short on long-term goals" and encourages their friend to join a party if they still love rock and roll. The words "It's only a quarter to three, Reflecting off of your CD, You're looking at a picture of me, You're staring at a picture of me" seem to describe the loneliness and introspection that can come with the pursuit of one's dreams.
Overall, the song Misunderstood is a beautiful meditation on the human condition. It acknowledges the complexity of emotion and the struggle to understand oneself and one's goals.
Line by Line Meaning
When you're back in your old neighborhood
Returning to the place where you grew up
The cigarettes taste so good
The familiarity of old habits brings comfort
But you're so misunderstood
Despite feeling at home in the past, you are still unable to shake the feeling of being misinterpreted
There's something there that you can't find
A longing for fulfillment even when surrounded by familiar surroundings
You look honest when you're telling a lie
Your deception is exposed despite your best efforts to hide your true intentions
You hurt her but you don't know why
You unintentionally caused harm to someone without fully understanding the consequences of your actions
You love her but you don't know why
You have genuine emotions for someone but are unable to articulate or express them
Short on long term goals
A lack of direction and planning for the future
There's a party there that we ought to go to
The chance for enjoyment and excitement exists, but requires effort to pursue
If you still love rock and roll
Maintaining passion for the music that once brought joy
It's only a quarter to three
Late night hours bring introspection and reflection
Reflecting off of your CD
The music provides a source of contemplation on oneself
You're looking at a picture of me
Obsession or reflection on a past relationship or self-image
Take the guitar player for a ride
Poking fun at someone who takes themselves too seriously, particularly in music
'Cause he ain't never been satisfied
Those who are always looking for something better, and never satisfied
He thinks he owes some kind of debt
The expectation of success and pressure to produce in a creative field can lead to feelings of indebtedness
Be years before he gets over it
The struggle to overcome these feelings may linger for years
There's a fortune inside your head
Ideas and creativity have the potential to bring great success
When all you touch turns to lead
Despite potential, failure and disappointment can slow progress
You think you might just crawl back in bed
Overwhelmed and defeated by circumstances, a desire to hide away and escape occurs
With the fortune inside your head
Regardless of setbacks, the potential for greatness still exists
I know you're just a mama's boy
A condescending judgment against men who are perceived as weak or reliant on their mothers
Positively unemployed
An ironic twist on the label of being out of work, suggesting positivity in the face of hardship
So misunderstood
Emphasis on the central theme of lack of understanding and communication
I know you've got a God-shaped hole
A belief in a higher power, and an emptiness that persists despite efforts to fill it
Bleeding out your heart full of soul
The struggle to reconcile belief with pain and doubt
You're so misunderstood
A repetition of the central theme, emphasizing the pervasive nature of this feeling
I'd like to thank you all for nothing
An expression of the futility of expectations and lack of gratitude
I'd like to thank you all for nothing at all
An ironic and bitter conclusion, expressing the sentiment that nothing has been gained or accomplished
Nothing, nothing, nothing, nothing
Repetition of the word 'nothing,' emphasizing a deep-rooted sense of emptiness and dissatisfaction
Nothing at all
A finality, signaling acceptance of a life without fulfillment or accomplishment
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Jeffrey Tweedy
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind