The Joke
ÉúÃüÖ®ÎݺϳªÍÅ Lifehouse Lyrics
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When you find me in the morning
Hanging on a warning, oh
The joke is on you
You said you were pretending
Here's to a happy ending, oh
The joke is on you
I took a shortcut home
I left on the street I know
That they won't find me here
I found out how to make momma proud
Be real quiet, don't talk to loud
I try, I try to disappear
My life is for the taking
Break down as your waking me
I'm ending all this pain
[Chorus]
This is my last day
Should have had my first kiss
Thanks to myself will I ever be missed, I hope
Well maybe I don't care
I wear my around my neck
I love so much, gotta love it to death
Tonight, see the world through my eyes
My life is for the taking
Break down as your racing me
I'm ending all this pain
When you find me in the morning
Hanging on a warning, oh
The joke is on you
My great escape
Is my biggest mistake
I think you better turn around
Don't throw it away
Today, today
[Chorus]
The joke is on you
The joke is on you
The joke is on you
The joke is on you
The lyrics to Lifehouse's song "The Joke" deal with themes of depression, loneliness, and feeling misunderstood. The chorus of the song drives this message home with the lines "When you find me in the morning/hanging on a warning, oh/the joke is on you." The singer of the song is struggling with his own demons, trying to find a way to make sense of himself and his life. He takes a shortcut home to avoid being found, and finds ways to disappear and escape from the world. Though he seems to be contemplating ending his life ("This is my last day/should have had my first kiss/Thanks to myself will I ever be missed, I hope/well maybe I don't care"), he also seems to be aware of the irony in his situation. People have misunderstood him, and he has misunderstood himself. The joke is on everyone.
The verses of the song are almost more stream-of-consciousness in nature, with the singer's thoughts tumbling out. He longs to "make momma proud" and feels like he's failed. He wears his love around his neck, but also acknowledges that it's killing him. He longs for someone to see the world through his eyes. There's a sense of despair and desperation to the lyrics, tinged with a bitter humor.
Overall, "The Joke" is a powerful song about the pain of feeling isolated and misunderstood. It's a call for empathy and understanding, a reminder that sometimes what we see on the surface isn't the full story.
Line by Line Meaning
When you find me in the morning
When you discover me in the morning
Hanging on a warning, oh
In a state of caution and vulnerability, oh
The joke is on you
You are the one being fooled
You said you were pretending
You claimed that you were acting
Here's to a happy ending, oh
Cheers to a joyous conclusion, oh
The joke is on you
You are still being fooled
To make sure yesterday doesn't repeat
To ensure that previous events don't reoccur
I took a shortcut home
I chose a quicker route to return
I left on the street I know
I departed on the familiar street
That they won't find me here
So they cannot locate my whereabouts
I found out how to make momma proud
I discovered how to gain my mother's admiration
Be real quiet, don't talk too loud
Remain hushed, don't speak too vociferously
I try, I try to disappear
I endeavour to vanish
My life is for the taking
My existence is up for grabs
Break down as you're waking me
Crumble when you rouse me
I'm ending all this pain
I'm putting an end to all this agony
This is my last day
Today is my final day
Should have had my first kiss
I should have had my first romantic encounter
Thanks to myself will I ever be missed, I hope
I hope I'll be missed because of the impact I had on myself
Well maybe I don't care
Perhaps I'm not concerned after all
I wear my around my neck
I carry mine around my neck
I love so much, gotta love it to death
I adore it unconditionally, I love it until it ruins me
Tonight, see the world through my eyes
Tonight, view the world from my perspective
My great escape
My significant getaway
Is my biggest mistake
Turned out to be my largest blunder
I think you better turn around
I suggest that you turn back
Don't throw it away
Don't discard it
Today, today
Right now, presently
The joke is on you
You're still being fooled
The joke is on you
You're still being fooled
The joke is on you
You're still being fooled
The joke is on you
You're still being fooled
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@eme.261
Considering that the vast majority of Elton John's songs were written by his long time lyricist, the songwriter Bernie Taupin, that's an interesting thing for Elton to have said. Elton composes the music, but it's Bernie who writes the words. The lyrics for almost all of Elton's beloved songs were written by Bernie Taupin, such as "Tiny Dancer," "Candle in the Wind," "Your Song," "Someone Saved My Life Tonight," "I Guess That's Why They Call It the Blues," "Sacrifice," "Daniel," "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road," etc. Bernie's a quintessential Gemini lyricist, as is Brandi Carlile.
Gemini are usually phenomenally gifted lyricists, when they're musically inclined. Other famous Gemini singer/songwriters are:
-Bob Dylan
-Paul McCartney
-Tupac Shakur
-Prince
-Kendrick Lamar
-Macklemore
-Lauryn Hill
-The Notorious B.I.G
-Stevie Nicks
-Brian Wilson
-Danny Elfman
-Lionel Richie
-Sturgill Simpson
-Melissa Etheridge
-Noel Gallagher
-Alanis Morisette
-Pete Wentz
And on and on...
@JennP.Can6316
You're feeling nervous, aren't you, boy?
With your quiet voice and impeccable style
Don't ever let them steal your joy
And your gentle ways, to keep 'em from running wild
They can kick dirt in your face
Dress you down, and tell you that your place
Is in the middle, when they hate the way you shine
I see you tugging on your shirt
Trying to hide inside of it and hide how much it hurts
Let 'em laugh while they can
Let 'em spin, let 'em scatter in the wind
I have been to the movies, I've seen how it ends
And the joke's on them
You get discouraged, don't you, girl?
It's your brother's world for a while longer
We gotta dance with the devil on a river
To beat the stream
Call it living the dream, call it kicking the ladder
They come to kick dirt in your face
To call you weak and then displace you
After carrying your baby on your back across the desert
I saw your eyes behind your hair
And you're looking tired, but you don't look scared
Let 'em laugh while they can
Let 'em spin, let 'em scatter in the wind
I have been to the movies, I've seen how it ends
And the joke's on them
Let 'em laugh while they can
Let 'em spin, let 'em scatter in the wind
I have been to the movies, I've seen how it ends
And the joke's on them
@Rachbookishlifestuff
It’s 1:30am in Texas right now. I’m laying on the couch in tears feeling like a failure as mother. My precious son is 9. He’s autistic and he’s perfect in my eyes. He’s curled up at my feet. It’s the closest he’s come near me lately. I see so much beauty in him. I can see the world through his big blue eyes. But I also see his pain. And I see the way the world looks at him. This song. This perfectly written string of words fills my heart with hope. It feels me with power. I sing your music daily and just finished your audio book. When it was over my heart broke a bit. It was if , for awhile I was hearing a friend talk to me about their life. It made me feel less alone. I just want to say thank you for your words. For your voice. For sharing your soul with us.
@angelloves5637
Your son is a blessing and sadly others cannot see the gift God has given you" to raise and care for everyday.. He is so blessed to have you as his mother and God will give you strength in those times that it gets hard in your Lives. in the name of Jesus Christ his son ..
May the good Lord always watch over you and your son ...
@Patriotswelcome
I have a 7 year old with the same diagnosis. He doesn't talk but boy does he love music! Don't ever give up. This life is very hard but also so beautiful!
@Mary-Love
This comment inspired tears and chills upon my skin, kind stranger, you are beautiful too, please never stop spreading love in every colorful form
@MRSANN2010
I wish i could say it gets easier but it does get more manageable. My son is 25 you surely isn't alone. We are out here fighting this fight of faith with you. You just can't see us individually. God is in control of our lives take it day by day. Start your day with prayer throughout the day give Him thanks and end your day with prayer. God loves you and so do i. ❤🥰❤🤝🏽🤝🏽🤝🏽🙏🏽🙌🏾
@Milaperadotti
I just read your story and it touched my heart. I have an 8yr old daughter with autism. I tell her how much I love her she can’t say it back. It used to break my heart until I realized she shows her love in different ways. You are a great mother the fact that you worry that you are not ,just shows that you are a great mother.
@MrChapisimo
A few days ago I turned 44 years old and today I listen to this song for the very first time, and I couldn’t stop crying while I was on the train to my house... I’m latino, inmigrant, gay and old... many times I have felt invisible in a city with millions of people around me, but tonight I saw myself in your song.
Maybe you never read this but today you made me feel human again for 4:58 minutes...
Thank you Brandi... ♥️
@dameargumentos
Were do you live?
@MoonShoes22
You're not old...
@puddinpak
One correction, you are very young yet!