22-20s were a band from Lincolnshire with indie, blues and folk influences.… Read Full Bio ↴22-20s were a band from Lincolnshire with indie, blues and folk influences. They formed in 2003 and released their self-titled debut album (22-20s) the following year. The band's name comes from the Skip James song '22-20 Blues'.

The success of the single 'Shoot Your Gun' and the track 'Devil In Me' shot the band to prominence after its use in a Vauxhall commercial.

In early 2006, after four years together touring, with difficulties recording their follow-up album and a desire to change musical direction, the band mutually agreed to split up.

The band reformed in 2008 and released Shake/Shiver/Moan in 2010 and Got It If You Want It in 2012.

On 3 May, 2012, the band announced on Twitter that guitarist Dan Hare decided to leave the band.

22-20s quietly split for a second time in 2013.

Bitter Pills
22-20s Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Bitter pills & alcohol sorry if I made a scene
Bitter pills & alcohol couldn't bear to kiss his feet
Everybody's going somewhere
My life's going nowhere
Moving so so slow

Slate grey days in my white walls
Nothing to talk about

Slate grey days in my white walls
Couldn't bear to hear about
Everybody going somewhere
My life's going nowhere
Moving so so slow

I should have stayed safely away
I've shown you up once again
But please understand, please understand
I'm still getting used to the passenger side
And restlessness twists in the brain coming on like a train
Through the signals & straight through the gate so please understand,
It comes out all wrong,
It isn't me it's the mix I was on

Bitter pills & alcohol sorry if I made a scene
Bitter pills & alcohol couldn't bear to kiss his feet

Everybody's going somewhere
My life's going nowhere moving so so slow

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to 22-20s' "Bitter Pills" are haunting and introspective, reflecting on feelings of restlessness, loneliness, and regret. The song opens with the lines, "Bitter pills & alcohol sorry if I made a scene / Bitter pills & alcohol couldn't bear to kiss his feet," suggesting that the singer is struggling with addiction and self-destructive tendencies. The repetition of "bitter pills & alcohol" throughout the song emphasizes this idea and creates a sense of desperation.

Later in the song, the singer reflects on their life and the feeling of being stuck: "Everybody's going somewhere / My life's going nowhere / Moving so so slow." This line captures the sense of aimlessness that many people feel at some point in their lives, and the frustration that comes with it. The song goes on to describe the singer's feeling of being trapped by their own choices: "I should have stayed safely away / I've shown you up once again."

Finally, the song ends with a plea for understanding: "It comes out all wrong, / It isn't me it's the mix I was on." This line suggests that the singer is aware of their own flaws and mistakes, but feels helpless to change them. Overall, "Bitter Pills" is a powerful meditation on addiction, regret, and the search for meaning in life.

Line by Line Meaning

Bitter pills & alcohol sorry if I made a scene
I apologize for my disruptive behavior under the influence of bitter pills and alcohol

Bitter pills & alcohol couldn't bear to kiss his feet
My pride prevented me from being subservient to him even under the influence of bitter pills and alcohol

Everybody's going somewhere
It seems like everyone has a direction or purpose in life

My life's going nowhere
I feel directionless and stagnant in my life

Moving so so slow
I'm progressing very slowly, if at all

Slate grey days in my white walls
Depressive, monotonous days in my bland, uninteresting environment

Nothing to talk about
There's nothing of interest or substance to discuss

Couldn't bear to hear about
I didn't want to listen to other people talk about their exciting and fulfilling lives

I should have stayed safely away
I regret getting involved in a situation that turned out poorly

I've shown you up once again
I've disappointed and embarrassed you yet another time

But please understand, please understand
I'm pleading for your empathy and forgiveness

I'm still getting used to the passenger side
I'm still adjusting to being a passenger or bystander in my own life

And restlessness twists in the brain coming on like a train
Anxiety and unease are overwhelming me like a speeding train

Through the signals & straight through the gate
I'm disregarding any warning signs or boundaries in pursuit of something or someone

So please understand, it comes out all wrong
I'm not communicating effectively and my intentions or emotions are being misunderstood

It isn't me it's the mix I was on
My altered state contributed to my behavior and it's not reflective of my true self

Bitter pills & alcohol sorry if I made a scene
I apologize for my disruptive behavior under the influence of bitter pills and alcohol

Bitter pills & alcohol couldn't bear to kiss his feet
My pride prevented me from being subservient to him even under the influence of bitter pills and alcohol

Everybody's going somewhere
It seems like everyone has a direction or purpose in life

My life's going nowhere
I feel directionless and stagnant in my life

Moving so so slow
I'm progressing very slowly, if at all

Contributed by Aaliyah I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

TRACKS