Human Interest
Drive Like Jehu Lyrics
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it's fair enough. al'right:
if i want a loan, if i wanna trespass.
why should i walk when you've got wheels.
when i'm in doubt, when i'm in debt,
when i'm in deep at your expense.
then i owe you. i owe you. i owe.
i'd never make you suffer, i know that wouldn't do,
and that ain't practical, and i ain't through.
when what i got needs fixing, when i want something new,
i know i'm covered with you. your're my human interest...
In "Human Interest," Drive Like Jehu sings about interdependence, gratitude, and our propensity to be indebted to others. The lyrics express how we rely on others for help and support, and how we often owe them a debt of gratitude. The first stanza suggests that there's a tacit agreement between the singer and someone else: if the singer needs something, they can count on the other person, who has the means to provide it. In exchange, the singer owes them something. The imagery of the wheels highlights how uneven the relationship can be, and how the person with the means can easily get ahead while the other person falls behind.
In the chorus, the singer acknowledges this debt and the other person's role in their life. They call the person their "human interest," a term that can refer to financial investments or a person's involvement in something outside of their work. Here, it implies that the other person takes an active interest in the singer's well-being and helps them achieve their goals. The second verse reinforces this idea, as the singer suggests that they rely on the other person's resources to fix what's broken and get what they want. The song's title, "Human Interest," suggests that it's the human connections we make that matter most, not just the transactional, material ones.
Line by Line Meaning
You set it up, you set it right,
You have established and organized the system in such a way that it is functioning properly.
it's fair enough. al'right:
It is reasonable and satisfactory enough to proceed with the given circumstances.
if i want a loan, if i wanna trespass.
If I need to access something that requires permission or go somewhere I am not allowed, I will do so.
why should i walk when you've got wheels.
If you have resources that could make my task easier, why should I not use them instead of struggling?
when i'm in doubt, when i'm in debt,
Whenever I am uncertain or owe money,
when i'm in deep at your expense.
When I am in a difficult predicament, and it is ultimately your responsibility.
then i owe you. i owe you. i owe.
In such cases, I am indebted to you and must pay you back.
i'd never make you suffer, i know that wouldn't do,
I am aware that causing harm or pain to you wouldn't be beneficial at all.
and that ain't practical, and i ain't through.
It is not realistic to expect me to risk my own well-being for trivial reasons, and I will not back down from my decisions.
when what i got needs fixing, when i want something new,
Whenever I need to fix what I have or acquire something new,
i know i'm covered with you. your're my human interest...
I know that I can count on you to help me, and you are my source of financial stability and/or support.
Contributed by Landon K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.