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Boxcar
Jawbreaker Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

You're not punk and I'm telling everyone. Save your breath, I never was one.
You don't know what I'm all about. Like killing cops and reading Kerouac. My
Enemies are all too familiar. They're the ones who used to call me friend. I'm
Coloring outside your guidelines, I was passing out when you were passing out
Your rules. One, two, three, four. Who's punk? What's the score? Got a friend.
Her name is Boxcar. Cigarettes and beer in El Sob. Her hair was blue, now it's
Green. I like her mind. She hates the scene. You're on your own. You're all
Alone.

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Jawbreaker's song Boxcar are deeply rooted in the punk subculture, as the singer is pictured as an outsider, a rebel who doesn't conform to the norm. The opening lines are a direct challenge to someone who claims to be punk, as the singer asserts that he is not and has never been part of the scene. The lyrics go on to describe the singer's interests, which are quite esoteric, as he likes "killing cops" and "reading Kerouac," referencing punk's fascination with the Beat Generation.


The chorus of the song poses a rhetorical question, "Who's punk? What's the score?", implying that there is no definitive answer to what constitutes punk, as the subculture is constantly evolving and defies easy categorization. In contrast to the singer, the other person is portrayed as someone who follows rules and guidelines, while the singer is "coloring outside your guidelines." The last verse introduces Boxcar, a female character who appears to share the singer's outsider status and non-conformist attitude. The closing lines "You're on your own. You're all alone" further emphasize the notion of punk as a solitary path that few dare to follow.


Overall, Jawbreaker's Boxcar is a powerful anthem for those who feel like they don't fit in with society's expectations and aspire to live by their own rules. The song's raw energy and rebellious lyrics have made it a classic of the punk rock genre that continues to resonate with audiences worldwide.


Line by Line Meaning

You're not punk and I'm telling everyone.
I don't consider you to be a punk, and I'm announcing it to others.


Save your breath, I never was one.
Don't bother trying to convince me otherwise, as I've never considered myself a punk either.


You don't know what I'm all about. Like killing cops and reading Kerouac.
You don't understand my interests, such as my appreciation for beat literature and my disdain for authority, including law enforcement.


My enemies are all too familiar. They're the ones who used to call me friend.
Those who I now consider my enemies are people I used to be close to and considered friends.


I'm coloring outside your guidelines, I was passing out when you were passing out your rules.
I'm not interested in following your prescribed way of living and was enjoying myself while you were trying to dictate those rules.


One, two, three, four. Who's punk? What's the score? Got a friend. Her name is Boxcar.
Asking the question of who truly embodies punk culture, and introducing a friend named Boxcar who serves as a counterpoint to those who try to define what it means to be punk.


Cigarettes and beer in El Sob. Her hair was blue, now it's green. I like her mind. She hates the scene.
Describing the lifestyle and looks of Boxcar, as well as her similar mindset of disliking the punk scene despite being a self-proclaimed punk.


You're on your own. You're all alone.
At the end of the day, you're responsible for your own identity and shouldn't rely on others to define it for you.




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@johnnyvval4719

You're not punk, and I'm telling everyone
Save your breath, I never was one
You don't know what I'm all about
Like killing cops and reading Kerouac

My enemies are all too familiar
They're the ones who used to call me friend
I'm coloring outside your guidelines
I was passing out when you were passing out your rules

One, two, three, four
Who's punk, what's the score?

Got a friend, her name is Boxcar
Cigarettes and beer in El Sob
Her hair was blue, now it's green
I like her mind, she hates the scene

My enemies are all too familiar
They're the ones who used to call me friend
I'm coloring outside your guidelines
I was passing out when you were passing out your rules

One, two, three, four
Who's punk, what's the score?

You're on your own, you're all alone
You're all alone, you're on your own



All comments from YouTube:

@l12f3r

Going 27 today, with 11 of these years listening to Jawbreaker. Since the very first day, I knew this song would pull me through for years. Thanks for that, you guys.

@WormdrivE66

Now you're 33, how's life been treating you?

@l12f3r

@@WormdrivE66 Better than ever. Even with the thorns of life and COVID restrictions, there's a sun outside to keep us alive.

@farmface

@@l12f3r wholesome. glad to hear it

@jacksonforrester3496

@@l12f3r the thorns of life… nice reference

@MrCquixote

how is 34?

4 More Replies...

@theartofwar1750

The best 2 minutes in music history.

@Lightning_Mike

She's a rebel, she's a- Oops, wrong song

@masonleviathan1918

+Demolition Mike .........oh shit

@brentinman6975

holy shit, I never heard that resemblance before

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