I spend a lot on all the clothes that I got
Cause all the geeks that I meet they all look cooler than me.
What to do when they're all looking at you,
Cause you're the Freak of the Week, cause you're on the TV

[Chorus:]
Can you make me a promise?
Stop it before we begin.
Will you hold onto my head
If I ever lose it again?

I've got a shrink I swear he's Elvis I think,
He wears the coolest suede shoes when I come in with the blues.
He thinks it's all about culture and art
But the truth of it is that it rips me apart

[Chorus]
Can you make me a promise?
Stop it before we begin.
Will you hold onto my head
If I ever lose it again?

Tell me I sold out...Tell me I sold out go ahead...

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Marvelous 3's "Freak of the Week" tell the story of a person who feels like an outsider because they cannot seem to fit in with the crowd. They spend a lot on buying clothes, trying to blend in or stand out, but they still feel like a geek or freak. They wonder what to do when they become the center of attention, ironically, because they are on TV. The chorus expresses their desire to have someone they can trust to keep them grounded, to take care of them if they lose their sanity, and most importantly, not to judge them.

The second verse introduces a character who is a shrink but, amusingly, the person thinks he's Elvis. The shrink, in his cool suede shoes, tries to make the singer believe that their problems stem from their lack of appreciation for culture and art. However, the singer knows that the problem is much more significant than that. It is hurting them deep inside. The chorus repeats once again, asking for assurance that someone will be there to keep them from losing their head, both literally and figuratively.

The final line, "Tell me I sold out go ahead," is a profound admission from the singer that they have done something that goes against their own beliefs or principles to fit in with the crowd. They are ready to just accept who they are, gain confidence in themselves, and not be swayed by others' opinions.

Line by Line Meaning

I spend a lot on all the clothes that I got
I waste my money on expensive clothes to try and look cool like the geeks I meet, but it never works.

Cause all the geeks that I meet they all look cooler than me.
Despite trying to look cool with fancy clothes, the geeks still outdo me in coolness.

What to do when they're all looking at you,
I don't know how to handle it when the attention is on me because I'm seen as different and unusual.

Cause you're the Freak of the Week, cause you're on the TV
I'm a freak who's now become popular because of being on TV and people can't help but stare.

Can you make me a promise? Stop it before we begin. Will you hold onto my head If I ever lose it again?
Can you promise to support and help me if I become overwhelmed and lose control again?

I've got a shrink I swear he's Elvis I think,
My therapist thinks of himself as a cool and popular figure like Elvis.

He wears the coolest suede shoes when I come in with the blues.
My therapist tries to look fashionable and hip, but I don't feel any better when I see him.

He thinks it's all about culture and art But the truth of it is that it rips me apart
My therapist believes that understanding culture and art will help me, but I know it won't fix the pain and struggles I'm facing.

Tell me I sold out...Tell me I sold out go ahead...
Critics can insult me by calling me a sellout for becoming popular and changing my image to fit in with the mainstream.

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BUTCH WALKER

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@Shadoufang

4y↑1

Lyrics:
I spend a lot on all the clothes that I got
'Cuz all the geeks that I meet, they all look cooler than me
But what to do when they're all looking at you
'Cuz you're the freak of the week, 'cuz you're on the TV

Can you make me a promise?
Stop it before we begin
Will you hold onto my head
If I ever lose it again?

I've got a shrink, I swear he's Elvis I think
He wears the coolest suede shoes, when I come in with the blues
He thinks it's all about culture and art
But the truth of it is, that it rips me apart

Can you make me a promise?
Stop it before we begin
Will you hold onto my head
If I ever lose it again?

Tell me I sold out
Tell me I sold out go ahead
Tell me I sold out
Tell me I sold out go ahead

I spend a lot on all the clothes that I got
'Cuz all the geeks that I meet, they all look cooler than me
But what to do when they're all looking at you
'Cuz you're the freak of the week, 'cuz you're on the TV

Can you make me a promise?
Stop it before we begin
Will you hold onto my head
If I ever lose it again?

Can you make me a promise?
Stop it before we begin
Will you hold onto my head
If I ever lose it again?

Tell me I sold out
Tell me I sold out go ahead
Tell me I sold out
Tell me I sold out go ahead

Can you make me a promise?
Stop it before we begin
Will you hold onto my head
If I ever lose it again?

Can you make me a promise?
Stop it before we begin
Will you hold onto my head
If I ever lose it again?

Can you make me a promise?
(8/14/2020 3:43 pm)

@LiveAndLetLive2023

"I spend a lot on all the clothes that I got
'Cause all the geeks that I meet
They all look cooler then me
But what to do when they're all lookin' at you
'Cause you're the freak of the week
'Cause you're on the TV

Chorus:
Can you make me a promise
Stop it before we begin
Will you hold on to my head
If I ever lose it again

I got a shrink I swear he's Elvis I think
He wears the coolest suede shoes
When i come in with the blues
He thinks it's all about culture and art
But the truth of it is that it rips me apart

(Chorus)
Tell me I sold out
Tell me I sold out
Go ahead

I spend a lot on all the clothes that I got
'Cause all the geeks that I meet
They all look cooler then me
But what to do when they're all lookin' at you
'Cause you're the freak of the week
'Cause you're on the TV

(Repeat until end)

Tell me I sold out
Tell me I sold out
Go ahead (Repeat until end)"

@mikemckercher1051

I spend a lot on all the clothes that I got
'Cuz all the geeks that I meet, they all look cooler than me
But what to do when they're all looking at you
'Cuz you're the freak of the week, 'cuz you're on the TV
Can you make me a promise?
Stop it before we begin
Will you hold onto my head
If I ever lose it again?
I've got a shrink, I swear he's Elvis I think
He wears the coolest suede shoes, when I come in with the blues
He thinks it's all about culture and art
But the truth of it is, that it rips me apart
Can you make me a promise?
Stop it before we begin
Will you hold onto my head
If I ever lose it again?
Tell me I sold out
Tell me I sold out go ahead
Tell me I sold out
Tell me I sold out go ahead
I spend a lot on all the clothes that I got
'Cuz all the geeks that I meet, they all look cooler than me
But what to do when they're all looking at you
'Cuz you're the freak of the week, 'cuz you're on the TV
Can you make me a promise?
Stop it before we begin
Will you hold onto my head
If I ever lose it again?
Can you make me a promise?
Stop it before we begin
Will you hold onto my head
If I ever lose it again?
Tell me I sold out
Tell me I sold out go ahead
Tell me I sold out
Tell me I sold out go ahead
Can you make me a promise?
Stop it before we begin
Will you hold onto my head
If I ever lose it again?
Can you make me a promise?
Stop it before we begin
Will you hold onto my head
If I ever lose it again?
Can you make me a promise?
Songwriters: Butch Walker. For non-commercial use only.

All comments from YouTube:

@Ineedtimetothinkaboutthis

22w↑4

My band toured briefly with these guys in the mid 90s. Nobody, and I mean nobody rocked harder than Butch Walker Jr. Nobody! 💯

@iamthew0lf

3y↑65

I’ve been trying to remember this song for ages. I remember taping off the radio in 98 and it was totally lost in time! So glad I found it. Can we acknowledge that these vocal harmonies and stylizations are about 4-5 years before their time!

@jackalope2302

3y↑3

Indeed. I think M3 is the unlikely yet awesome missing link between Bon Jovi and Blink182. This song is cooler than most anything in either band's discography

@BeauregardHall

2y↑1

I mean... if you ignore Halen, Lepperd, Cream, Beatles, Prince, yeah yeah I'm old. The M3 were such an amazing call back to every awesome band - they wore all their influences on their sleeves and it worked.

@andreveach7520

2y↑2

Butch Walker has stated that he was either "5 years too early or late...."; explore more of his works......

@czarpaul01

2y↑2

Just a hook master. Butch has written many tunes for others and produced a ton.

@marks9140

39w

Or they are about twenty years past their time - The Knack, Cheap Trick, etc. Love the song though.

@CallMeMarc04

1y↑20

The Greatest Power Trio you've never heard of. This song is just one of those rarites that never really gets old. It's produced crisply, the chorus is anthemic; a true underrated 90s gem.

@Zookmottin

They are good, but the greatest power trio?

Nirvana.

@danielstadnik7114

51w↑2

@@Zookmottinthe person who you are replying to said “greatest trio you’ve never heard of.”

@Rawk4Life

9y↑152

This band deserved to have more than a pair of hits.

@amylouise5268

6y↑10

Look into Butch Walker. Took me a while to find out that he is a prolific and a producer for many folks.

@NonLocalYokel

6y↑10

Hey whats wrong with a nice pair of......oh, sorry. I misread that.

@reynaldorodriguez9609

5y↑3

Actually they have only 2 hits because only have 2 good songs

@namebrandmason

5y↑5

Eh, Walker is a professional song fixer and works with Weezer and Taylor Swift. I think he's doing ok.

@realm23x73

5y↑1

s. yeah,..their are legions of professional song writers like him that actually have talent keeping pop stars or people like Tommy Lee relelivent..Good money for sure...Butch seems like he can write anything. Ill have to look out for there "other single" a teen rom/com soundtrack personified circa by 1999..

5 More Replies...

@1985breezegirl

12y↑25

this was my first concert. they opened for collective soul, back in '99. i miss those days

@elchapeau

2y↑1

omg Collective Soul! we used to blast them and Nazareth on the jukebox. lol

@tangofett4065

2y↑1

I saw them that year as well here in Chattanooga, Tn

@pickettpride6980

3y↑19

Still such a great song in 2021.

@TheMaddenComebackKid

9y↑67

Marvelous Three is one of those rare bands that didn't write a bad song. There's usually at least one throw away, but these guys were just awesome

@Mohican00

9y↑3

+TheMaddenComebackKid

Your taste in music could use a comeback

@4dmind

4y↑4

This was a big influence on my musical style, not because I copied it, but because I write similarly. Butch is a great guy, and you can see his sensibility on the late great band known as Injected. (Jade, R.I.P. brother)

@TheDealMaster

9y↑29

I own all their albums. And they are all good. It's not just one good song kind of thing. There entire albums are good.

@firefly5728

6y↑1

TheDealMaster Their

@edilee01

17y↑4

They wrote and recorded this song in like 10 mins because they needed one more song for the CD...it ended up becoming the first single release and their big hit. They (M3)were one of the best and energetic bands to see live. Butch did alot of stuff with other bands like Seven Dust and you could hear his input in the songs he had something to do with. Keep rocking Butch!!

@agoodcupoftea

15y↑11

This song is still as badass as the first time I heard it. I loved it when I was 13, and I love it now!

@le_fauxinternational1632

Do you still love it now, 13 years later?

@ghulsey45

3y↑3

Knew these guys a long time. Grew up and went to school with the bass player. Hung around in same circles. He was funny as hell and pretty much a happy go lucky guy. Always wanted to play in a band. Glad they got their wish. Cheers from GA!

@Ffeoli1039

5y↑17

That guitar pick toss and catch will always be cool.

@taylorh4480

52w↑1

these guys have a brand new album done and being mixed. can't wait to hear it later this year❤❤

@funkmon

25w

Did you like it? I thought it was fantastic,

@chadhartsell4770

9y↑9

I own every album from the M3 days all the way through Butchs solo career. I've seen Me 3 Times and Butch about 25..... amazing artist...

@scoutplayz6578

omg same

@bluesmanzzz

14y↑4

Caught them at a club in Orlando around Halloween 1998. Just randomly went in cause it sounded good.bought the CD that night .shook butch's hand and have been a fan ever since! :)

@alecprentice1573

Butch was always so cool and appreciative toward his fans!!

@EmperorMAR

2y↑1

Such great vocals in the chorus

@therockstarbarbie

17y↑2

Yeah that's cool. If you ever have a chance to hang with him, he's the shit! Right before the last M3 album came out he gave us a preview of one of the songs that he had with him on a cassette tape! That night was so much fun hope to party w/him again sometime!!

@alexmattyspac7605

28w↑1

We don't search old songs, we search for memories.

@alecprentice1573

2y↑1

All hail Butch! Such an relatively unknown talent! I used check is FFR shows all the time! They rocked!!!!

@Milfton

12y↑1

One of the best bands to ever come out of anywhere and unfortunately before their time! M3 forever!!

@undergroundkingz7969

4y↑1

Butch Walker is a power pop mastermind in my critical opinion. I think he's overlooked solo & with Marvelous 3 because his music is some of the most bright and enjoyable moments ever!

@cheeky999guy

17y↑1

I love this band! This song is catchy as hell!

@Missbipolar94

13y↑21

Thank you, daddy, for showing me this band. The part where the girl goes "my brother is a rock star!" reminds me of what I'd say about my dad back then.

@joshuajones8505

16w

That's awesome.
The life!!

@TheBadwolfcorp

9y↑3

This was my highschool band, hands down. Still sneaking the guilty pleasures of m3. Sad they went nowhere with NEGLECTra records.

@stephaniematchkus2897

8y↑16

Wow brings on the memories. The 90s have been hands down the best time to be alive, best music, great movies, and kids had the best toys.

@jordanturner6071

8y↑2

Stephanie Matchkus no joke. best decade so far. if you didn't live it you don't know.

@stephaniematchkus2897

Exactly

@ravannsims8556

7y↑3

Reading over old comments and just had to share that my 10 year old is obsessed with the 90's so I'm getting to show him all of the things I loved back then. Just gotta cross my fingers he doesn't get told too many wild stories about me when asking my friends about the it, and thank God we didn't have social media back then to memorialize the evidence forever! He says it's not fair that everything sucks for his generation and I told him it sucked for us too, that's why we started coming up with everything the 90's are remembered for now. So he's on a mission to do the same! Y'all can thank me when he succeeds. lol

@cheeky999guy

17y

This group is fab! This song is one of the best pop/rock songs ever...crank it up!!

@raypowersmusic

15y↑1

Southgang was one of the most underrated bands of that era! (Add Tyketto to that list!) The second disc was even better than the debut...but so many great albums from 1991-1993 just got buried under Pearl Jam and Nirvana. Shame that no one was able to realize there was room for everything. I was glad to see Butch able to reinvent and revamp. Now, he's one of the most sought after writers and producers.

@Sombergirl1979

I completely agree with you I remember the band Southgang I use to buy the magazine Metal Edge that's how I was introduced to that band

@amadi5x5

16y↑1

i could never get tired of this song. EVER. Definitely my favorite song from these guys.

@CrazeyLazeyHazeyDazey

32w↑2

This song shoulda been huge!!! I still don’t understand why it wasn’t.

@aronray9161

10y↑19

I remember when this one came out in 98 or 99 it was cool then,and it's still a cool song now.

@scoutplayz6578

6y↑1

Best pop song ever written in history, without a doubt.

@creedfanatic29

3y↑3

I followed this band for years. Loved them and still love them. Bailed on a college final to see em. Worth it. I never used French anyway 😉😂

@jennpark8559

Gross

@creedfanatic29

@Jenn Park 👍🏻

@Sombergirl1979

I have been a fan of Butch,Jayce,& Mitch ever since they were in the band together Southgang

@vanistendael3025

tres magnifique !!

@elchapeau

2y↑1

love a good riff-based guitar solo

@jasinflam8125

4y↑46

Just discovered this in 2020...going to get my alternative station to play it 😂

@joshua87Adam

3y↑2

Me too 🤣

@starsman77

3y↑2

Butch Walker is amazing!

@Thessalin

3y↑2

This old guy says: You're breathtaking!

@jackalope2302

2y↑1

Do it! The song needs to be remembered better.

@guitargoddess82

You might want to look them up on Instagram. 💯

@courtneytheriault5705

2y↑1

In every other parallel universe, Butch Walker is a superstar.

@chiricm

2y↑1

Killer bass tone.

@TorchRN

been jamming to this since 98. still holds up

@mattrogers6835

My number 1 summer jam of 1999. Hey, gimmie a break. That's when it spread beyond Atlanta and 99X. Rock 101KLOL played this in Houston a whole lot and I am very thankful. Introduced me to Butch Walker, and I've been a diehard fan ever since.

@AshleeACAmusic

15y

I'm 15 too! But I've been a HUGE fan since 2004 ever since I've discovered him I cannot get enough! he's like my favorite singer now...........and I'm going to see him in dallas next month I'M SO EXCITED butch forever!

@Dreamweaver29

6y↑2

Loooooved this one. I remember playing it over and over when it came out in 98/99.
Am I the only one who had a big crush on Butch?? 😄

@rikumaru2

16y

i am 14, and was raised on the good ol' 80s rock. to hear something a bit newer that actually sounds good is refreshing. the 90s were the best time for music, and while the memorable bands were the 70-80s, nothing can beat a good alternative song ^.^

@Shadoufang

4y↑1

@takebackthetime

2y↑1

I just discovered this song today randomly on Spotify. 😆

@syahmiysf

Me too on January 3rd, 2022 when building January 2022 playlist when spotify suggested me this song.

@Jeff-ELBEL

15y

Cool; thanks for telling him. I'm a bassist, too, and loved seeing him perform at the Whisky and Troubador. Best wishes to you.

@avillecruiser31

15y

these guys are from my hometown. ive met them, hung out with them, been to plenty of concerts they had, but it truly sucks that they split up. butch walker is a cool person in real life, but an amazing performer. my cousin tho is probably their biggest fan. no question about it.

@queazy03

3y↑1

Way better than 99% of what's popular today

@owainmiles8007

love this band

@jbudd

13y

i love the 90's and I am glad I grew up through them!!!

@dbrjaxfl

10y↑18

So damn catchy. Any ATL old timers remember The Producers? M3 always reminded me of them a bit. Like a 90s version

@brianm1603

9y↑1

Very similar sound. I saw The Producers live when I was 16-17 and thought, "These guys are going to be huge!".

@YurMom68

Brian McClintock used to work with the drummer 'Mitch' at pikes nursery on roswell rd in 99'

@jeffsilva1639

4y↑1

Opening riff sounds exactly like the Producer's "What she Does to me" Butch steals hella shit but he's still badass. FYI, Butch wrote and recorded every instrument and vocal for the entire album.

@KRDZoom1

Wow! Totally!!!

@freakalweek

12y

I know alot of people call it ripping off music but if you look at it another way it is a form of flatterry, alot do it because they are honoring a group that they like and admire, it's been going on for along time now, in a way it's a way of evolving music, to me the Marvelous 3 and many others are the bands that lead us to the newer alternative music we listen to now. Have always loved this song and so does my 10 yr old daughter :) We are singers too

@AgentSmith92011

11y

I love this song... I miss the 90's.

@artrocks13

14y

Yeah!!!! Brings back some memories- I still Love this song. Butch is still Rocks!!!!!

@KCJAZZ60

5y↑19

1 of the greatest songs that never got the recognition

@pierresmusic

12y

Love this song!!

@tearz801

11y

one of my favorite songs \m/

@heathershelton9124

10y↑17

Butch & Jay of M3 have known me since I was in utero!! LMAO My dad grew up and was close to these guys almost all his life...he also "ran sound" for The Floyds and then M3! Gotta love being a native Roman :-) (read the book, ppl!) Miss you, Uncle Butch!!

@michaelasuch1272

7y↑1

Heather Shelton. I remember.

@jenniferbaker1720

2y↑1

Bad ass and brings me back to the good ole 90’s 🤟

@khristovinxi

3y↑1

i was searching this for ages. it's stuck in my head but couldn't put my finger on the band or title. good to know i finally found this.

@kineticblues2766

3y↑1

dude, Butch Walker was/is/remains the definition of Cool!

@tinkyboy

15y

this use to be my favorite song. man i miss those days! altough i dont think the 90s were the best decade as far as music goes,but they could sure hold their own.

@aliveandkicking1

13y

Awesome!!!!!!!!! Love it

@hawkster1960

"Tell me I sold out, tell me I sold out, go ahead.....". Love this song. For anyone wanting another Butch Walker song you can NOT sit still for, check out Butch Walker and the Let's Go Out Tonites' song "Hot Girls in Good Moods"

@mcnasty4207

Race Cars and Goth Rock is a great song as well

@Westiecola

16y

These guys were fantastic! I loved 'em

@jackalope2302

21w

They are marvelous. Recently, Butch Walker's channel has new M3 songs!

@teeratornbovonkit581

2y↑1

This song just makes you feel badass

@aaronsthebestdrummer

12y↑1

The drummer is now my drum teacher! Doug or as they call him. Slug! Freakin amazing!

@Sombergirl1979

His name is Mitch not Doug

@soniarv

17y↑1

I really love this song

@prod1gy3000

15y

I first heard this song on the radio like 10 years ago. I wore this album out.

@Lanae8199

14y

I just listened to this on my mixtape from May of 1999. It was a special time for me. I was on the verge of gradating High School.

@mackordaya4287

11y↑2

Now he's one of the biggest producers!

@LeafyGreens7

13y

i heard this song on radio 104.5 yesterday afternoon, and now i can't stop listening to it X3

@TTKrox

17y

I love Butch!! He kicks ass!!!

@Deeznutseighthundredthirty

11y↑7

Why is there even a Dislike button? I've been a die hard Marvie and Butch fan for years now. Every time I listen to them, I get blown away. What i really loved about them was their attitude, energy, and musicianship. They way they all worked together as a team, they defiantly were the marvelous 3. I also love how after their breakup, they decided to remain the best of friends. Butch has always been my biggest inspiration!

@LiveAndLetLive2023

@KattaSkrana

8y↑12

Woke up today with this song in my head.

@le_fauxinternational1632

Me too. Today.

@Dreamweaver29

14y

Butch Walker was rocking the cool mascara and black nail polish look before Adam Lambert!! I had THE BIGGEST crush on Butch back when this song came out in '98! Thanks to YouTube, I found this song, and now dancing in my room remember the good 'ol days!!

@rigzreyes28

THE BEST BAND THE BEST SONG!!!! MY LIFE SONG,,,,I LOVE THIS SONG !!

@Stevenmichaelsykes

11y↑1

Butch Walker is chock full of music!

@Offended83Shadow

13y

my jr high school (1997) teacher introduced me to these guys before they hit it big. Apparently he had a band with butch in the 80s or something. I wish i woulda known who the hell they were or at least one song at the time lol i would have actually cared to get their autograph

@jgomez900

16y

i met him right after a show in Seattle.... he's so cool... he signed 3 c.d covers and my ticket.. and gave me a pic.... hes only played like 4 shows in Seattle... this was on Tuesday

@neilpowerman5000

I remember going to the beach with my family and hearing this song 90's best time for me

@abrafax

awesome Song 🤘🤘🤘

@leecort1

12y

LOVE THIS SONG

@mikemckercher1051

@SuperDurv

1999-2001 what an amazing time in history....no 9/11, no Iraq war, nothing but hope and listening to the radio on the ride or drive home...
It was the best...anything was possible still....

@tcswag801

I heard this standing in the pharmacy line at CVS and was like stitch haven't heard this in probably 15 yrs . I liked it back then and it was notorious for getting stuck in my head .

@AmandaLaggan

It's always nice when a blast from the past hits you unexpectedly like that.

@marianahall1211

8y↑13

God How I miss this band!!!

@mcnasty4207

We all do :-(

@scoutplayz6578

sameeeeeeeee

@BluCosmos

15y

I heard this back in 99 and it blew me away. 90's rocked. My other favorite bands were Dishwalla, Remy Zero, and The New Radicals.

@ambiguous974

I still kick myself for not seeing them when they came to my college town. I didn't even hear about the show until it was in the school paper and by the looks of it, neither did most people because it was really poorly attended. Such a shame it wasn't promoted better. I bet they put on a damn good show.

@seanmullins3598

The cd called Math and Other Problems now gets played very loud in a classic 2000 Park Avenue. It just doesn't get old.

@michaelyatsco1958

2y↑1

Love M3 Love Butch just wish he would plug the guitar back in the amplifier and give us some Rock these days

@jackalope2302

21w

Go to Butch Walker's YouTube channel. He recently released a bunch of new M3 songs

@jgomez900

16y

i saw butch last night. I met him too... he is so cool... i got 4 autographs and a guitar pick

@ItsFlaRafinhaa

11y↑1

I love this so so so much !

@davidspeck1556

Your awesome

@user-zb6kx7xr8j

23w

Just heard this....catchy cool fking song...I give it a ten!!!

@WintersAzure

16y

let's see. butch walker has been in bands since the 80's. take your pick... bite the bullet (or whatever weird spelling they had of it), southgang, floyd's funk revival, the floyds, the marvelous 3... now he just had a new project (1969) come out with a new cd. and he also produces and co writes LOTS of artists that are pretty popular. he's a man of many talents.