Dirty Water
Real Friends Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You were shallow when we met and you still are
The water won't be coming down anytime soon to change that
Loneliness keeps me warm at night and that's okay with me
I'd rather be alone in this bed made for two than listen to you and your judgement
Don't act like you're better than me
We're both fools lost in this cold world
You might not fall as much as I do, but if I look close enough I can find the scars on your knees
I can find the bags under your eyes that carry too much for you to handle
I'm starting to think that yore the reason why everyone left
So stop pointing your finger
You don't even really know me, not at all
You don't even really know me
Don't act like you're better than me
We're both fools lost in this cold world
You might not fall as much as I do, but if I look close enough I can find the scars on your knees
I can find the bags under your eyes that carry too much for you to handle
I said I'm selfish, I'm a liar and I'm broken
Shit runs through my head every day that I would never tell anyone
You're just like me
The only difference is that I'm honest enough to scream my flaws in the lines of this song
In the opening lines of "Dirty Water," Real Friends calls out shallow people who judge others based on appearances. The singer questions why such people should even bother wearing their empty personalities on their skin, suggesting that no one would even notice or care. The lyrics suggest that the shallow individual has not evolved since the singer met them, and the "dirty water" of their personality is unlikely to change anytime soon. The singer admits to feeling lonely, but finds solace in their own company rather than the judgments and insincerity of the shallow personality.
The song takes a turn in the second half where the singer addresses the false idea of superiority, emphasizing that both parties are "fools lost in this cold world." They call out the hypocritical nature of people who judge others while carrying their own scars and burdens, revealing that everyone has their own demons to fight. The singer acknowledges their own flaws and admits to being selfish, a liar, and broken, but accepts these qualities and acknowledges them in the song. The final line of the song suggests that the difference between the singer and the shallow personality is that the singer is open and honest about their struggles, freely expressing them through the song's lyrics.
Line by Line Meaning
If you wore your personality on your skin, no one would take a second look
You have a shallow and uninteresting personality.
You were shallow when we met and you still are
You have not changed since we first met, and you are still shallow and superficial.
The water won't be coming down anytime soon to change that
Nothing can change your personality; it is ingrained in you.
Loneliness keeps me warm at night and that's okay with me
I am comfortable being alone and don't need anyone else to be happy.
I'd rather be alone in this bed made for two than listen to you and your judgement
I would rather sleep alone than be with you and your critical opinions.
Don't act like you're better than me
Stop pretending to be superior to me.
We're both fools lost in this cold world
We are both lost and struggling in life and do not have all the answers.
You might not fall as much as I do, but if I look close enough I can find the scars on your knees
You may not make as many mistakes as I do, but you have your own flaws and struggles.
I can find the bags under your eyes that carry too much for you to handle
You are carrying a heavy burden that is taking a toll on you.
I'm starting to think that yore the reason why everyone left
I am beginning to suspect that you are the cause of our friends leaving us.
So stop pointing your finger
Stop blaming others and take responsibility for your actions.
You don't even really know me, not at all
You do not truly understand me or my struggles.
I said I'm selfish, I'm a liar and I'm broken
I admit that I have flaws; I am selfish, a liar, and broken.
Shit runs through my head every day that I would never tell anyone
I have dark thoughts that I keep hidden from others.
You're just like me
You have flaws and struggles just like I do.
The only difference is that I'm honest enough to scream my flaws in the lines of this song
I am open and honest about my flaws in my music, while you hide yours.
Contributed by Joseph J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
deis
I saw Real Friends live two days ago and hearing 300+ people singing the last part of this song at the same time was amazing
Clayton Ryan Gordon
I love this band so much discovered them last year at warped tour went back to watch them in portland! such a great band so much feeling from a pop punk band
Denmivsworld
for anyone complaining about the constant pattern of "bony knees" and "sleepy eyes" in their songs;I think it represents his world, his reoccurring insecurities, etc.
Ally B
it represents pop punk.
spookyovgi ☾
The "bony knees" and "sleepy eyes" expressions are literal
Kyle (The bassist, he writes the lyrics) said that during the writing of this EP, thanks to all his problems he wasn't sleeping and eating too much
Lewis Drane
Just discovered and I love it
ArboldeLimon
"We're both fools lost in this cold world", I may say "everyone". Just awesome, can't stop listening to this.
Hannah Eubanks
Had an awesome time at warped tour! You guys did great
BlueShark Rides
"Don't act like you're better than me . We're both fools lost in this cold world" speaks to me on a ton of different levels right now. That line hits hard.
yuval karas
you guys are amazinggg