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Punch and Judy
Elliott Smith Lyrics


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A wallflower Punch talks to Judy
In a crowded corner where anybody can listen in
But they don't read page-to-page or speak easy
Now, they're gonna go say the words in the wrong order again

They walk in a circle through all the sidewalk scenes
They used to be a part of one time, now, everybody just stares and whispers
Driving around up and down Division Street
I used to like it here, it just bums me out to remember

Can't you ever treat anyone nice?
Think I'm gonna make the same mistake twice

Oh, they draw the curtain, wait for a call
Pretty lucky if they get any kind of response at all

Can't you ever treat anyone nice?
Think I'm gonna make the same mistake twice
Gonna make the same mistake twice

Overall Meaning

The song "Punch and Judy" by Elliott Smith is a melancholic, yet poignant introspection on the pitfalls of relationships and communication. The title refers to the classic, but somewhat disturbing puppet show Punch and Judy, which depicts a puppeteer husband abusing his wife. The song starts with the wallflower, Punch, trying to talk to Judy in a crowded corner, where anyone can listen in. The couple doesn't communicate in a straightforward manner, and they often say the wrong things in the wrong order. Elliott Smith observes the couple, as they circle around the same old streets, reflecting on how they used to belong in those scenes, but now they are just people who make others stare and whisper.


The lyrics also express a sense of nostalgia and regret. Elliott Smith reminisces about the time when he "used to like it here," but now remembers it burning him out. He ends the song on a sad note, stating that he fears making the same mistake twice. It's a harsh realization that relationships can be a vicious cycle that repeats itself, and we often can't seem to break free from it. Overall, the song is a reminder that communication and treating others with kindness are essential in creating successful relationships.


Line by Line Meaning

A wallflower punch talks to judy
A shy person approaches someone they are interested in and strikes up a conversation


In a crowded corner where anybody can listen in
They are talking in a public place and are aware that others could potentially overhear their conversation


But they don't read page to page or speak easy
They are not skilled in the art of conversation and struggle to communicate effectively


Now they're gonna go say the words
They feel pressure to express their true feelings and are about to do so


In the wrong order again
They fear that they will say things in the wrong order or otherwise mess up their confession


They walk in a circle
They are aimlessly wandering, perhaps trying to gather their thoughts or muster the courage to say what they need to say


Through all the sidewalks scenes they used to be apart of one time
They are revisiting old haunts and are feeling nostalgic for the past


Now everybody just stares and whispers
They feel like an outsider and are receiving judgmental looks and comments from others


Driving around up and down division street
They are aimlessly driving around, perhaps trying to clear their head or work up the courage to confess their feelings


I used to like it here
They have positive memories of the area they are driving through


It just burns me out to remember
However, revisiting these memories is now causing them emotional pain or exhaustion


Can't you ever treat anyone nice
They are feeling insecure and are disappointed in themselves for not being able to communicate effectively or express their feelings in a way that is well-received by others


I think I'm gonna make the same mistake twice
They fear repeating the same mistakes they made in the past, particularly when it comes to expressing their feelings to someone they are interested in


They draw the curtain
They are withdrawing or closing themselves off emotionally, perhaps as a defense mechanism


Wait for a call
They are hoping for some kind of response or acknowledgement from the person they are interested in


Pretty lucky if they get any kind of response at all
However, they are not optimistic about receiving the response they are hoping for


I'm gonna make the same mistake twice
They are resigned to repeating their mistakes and are acknowledging this to themselves




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Steven Paul Smith

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

@TicTacYo100

A wallflower punch talks to judy
In a crowded corner where anybody can listen in
But they don't read page to page or speak easy
Now they're gonna go say the words
In the wrong order again
They walk in a circle
Through all the sidewalks scenes they used to be apart of one time
Now everybody just stares and whispers
Driving around up and down division street
I used to like it here
It just burns me out to remember
Can't you ever treat anyone nice
I think I'm gonna make the same mistake twice
They draw the curtain
Wait for a call
Pretty lucky if they get any kind of response at all
Can't you ever treat anyone nice
I think I'm gonna make the same mistake twice
I'm gonna make the same mistake twice



@roiybenkel682

A wallflower punch talks to Judy
In a crowded corner where anybody can listen in
But they don't read page to page or speak easy
Now they're gonna go say the words
In the wrong order again
They walk in a circle
Through all the sidewalk scenes they used to be apart of one time
Now everybody just stares and whispers
Driving around up and down division street
I used to like it here
It just bums me out to remember
Can't you ever treat anyone nice?
I think I'm gonna make the same mistake twice
They draw the curtain
Wait for a call
Pretty lucky if they get any kind of response at all
Can't you ever treat anyone nice?
I think I'm gonna make the same mistake twice
I'm gonna make the same mistake twice



@CuzDud

[F]A wallflower punch talks [Am]to judy
in a [Gm]crowded corner [Dm]where [G]anybody can [Bb]listen in

[F]But they don't read page to page [Am]or speak easy
now they're gonna [Gm]go say the [Dm]words
[G]in the wrong [Bb]order a[F]gain

[F]They walk in a circle
[Am]through all the sidewalk scenes they [Gm]used to be apart of [Dm]one time
[G]now everybody just [Bb]stares and whis[F]pers

[F]Driving around up and [Am]down division street
I [Gm]used to like it [Dm]here
[G]it just bums me [Bb]out to remember

[Dm]Can't [Dm/C#]you [Bb]ever treat [Bb/A]anyone [G]nice[Bb]
I [Dm]think [Dm/C#]I'm [Bb]gonna make the [Bb/A]same mistake [G]twice[Bb]

[F]They draw the curtain [Am]wait for a call
pretty [Gm]lucky if they [Dm]get [G]any kind of re[Bb]sponse at all

[F - Am - Gm - Dm - G - Bb]

[Dm]Can't [Dm/C#]you [Bb]ever treat [Bb/A]anyone [G]nice[Bb]
I [Dm]think [Dm/C#]I'm [Bb]gonna make the [Bb/A]same mistake [G]twice[Bb]
[Bb]I'm gonna make the same mistake [F]twice

[F - Am - Gm - Dm - G - Bb - F]



All comments from YouTube:

@benjaminsmith9849

God this song has grown on me exponentially over the past couple of days. Elliott’s music has an uncanny ability to do that

@mrkrabslove

I didn't care that much for this song but one day it just clicked. Elliott Smith is amazing.

@kimberlyaikens7642

I just started listening to him today actually, and this whole album makes me feel this way... like, wow

@asa.8691

@Kimberly Aikens I figured you out finally hitting right for me

@kimberlyaikens7642

@Pink Panther yeah

@knuckle12356

That dreadful dissonance of panic and malaise; bubbling up together after trying ALL DAY to cop, but coming up blank.
😬🥴🥶🥵🥶😖😫😓

@jamesheath7601

“Can’t you ever treat anyone nice? I think I’m going to make the same mistake twice “I love that lyric

@TicTacYo100

A wallflower punch talks to judy
In a crowded corner where anybody can listen in
But they don't read page to page or speak easy
Now they're gonna go say the words
In the wrong order again
They walk in a circle
Through all the sidewalks scenes they used to be apart of one time
Now everybody just stares and whispers
Driving around up and down division street
I used to like it here
It just burns me out to remember
Can't you ever treat anyone nice
I think I'm gonna make the same mistake twice
They draw the curtain
Wait for a call
Pretty lucky if they get any kind of response at all
Can't you ever treat anyone nice
I think I'm gonna make the same mistake twice
I'm gonna make the same mistake twice

@karimcash55

I'm 16, I've listened to this man for 3 days now, this is the only album of his I've heard and already I can tell he's one of the greatest songwriters of all time. His music is so harrowing and melancholic no matter how upbeat the chord progression, an absolute visionary. Even if I can't relate to most of his material I naturally draw my own personal meaning to connect with him, wish I could've seen him live. Rest in piece you musical genius Elliot.

@DurekuDragon

you're definitely older than that frank

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