India Ink
311 Lyrics


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[Chorus:]
I write your name on my arm with India ink
Baby I told you once before it's not what you think
I drink it in with a sip
But I really want to chug
You know I take what I can get
Give me a dub, now
[Bridge]
So good, so good
Come on now, I wish you would
Anytime I get together
Get to feeling like I could

I write your name on my arm with India ink
Baby I told you once before it's not what you think
I drink it in with a sip
But I really want to chug
You know I take what I can get
Give me a dub, now

So good, so good
Come on now, I wish you would
Anytime I get together
Get to feeling like I could

[Chorus:]
Woah are you with me [Repeat: x1]
Woah is that the best you can give me
Woah are you with me

I write your name on my arm with India ink
Baby I told you once before it's not what you think
I drink it in with a sip
But I really want to chug
You know I take what I can get
Give me a dub, now

You're even cuter
When you get crossed
Just stamp on your foot
And try to be the boss

I write your name on my arm with India Ink
I'm hanging on every word cause the way that you think
Yes every misstep well it led me to you
I'll do what I got to do to see it through

If you see a shooting star
Celebrate with a kiss
Won't have to wait far
When no one will ever miss

[Chorus]
Woah are you with me [Repeat: x1]
Woah is that the best you can give me
Woah are you with me

I'd carve my name on my arm
But you'd be alarmed
That I did it
I admit it
A big swing and a miss
So I'll keep my distance
Back in it
In a minute

[Chorus]
Woah are you with me [Repeat: x1]
Woah is that the best you can give me
Woah are you with me

Woah are you with me (name on my arm with India ink)
Woah are you with me (told you once before it's not what you think)
Woah is that the best you can give me




Woah are you with me
(Name on my arm with India ink, baby I told you once before it's)

Overall Meaning

The chorus of 311's song India Ink describes the singer's intense feelings towards their loved one, represented metaphorically by writing their name on their arm with India ink. However, they feel the need to clarify that this act of devotion isn't what it may seem like to an outsider. They long for more connection and intimacy with their partner, stating that they'll take what they can get, but really want to "chug" and be completely consumed by them.


In the bridge section, the singer expresses their desire for their partner, wanting them to reciprocate their feelings, and the euphoric feeling they get when they're together. The chorus repeats with a sense of urgency, asking if their partner is truly with them and if they can give more to the relationship.


The final verse describes the singer's willingness to go to great lengths to be with their partner but acknowledges a sense of caution in not wanting to scare them away. The song ends on a questioning note, asking if their partner is truly committed to the relationship.


Line by Line Meaning

I write your name on my arm with India ink
The singer is marking their body permanently with the name of the person they love.


Baby I told you once before it's not what you think
The author assures their loved one that the act is not dangerous or self-harm related.


I drink it in with a sip
Every time they see their love, it's like taking a moment to savor.


But I really want to chug
The author addicted to this feeling and wants to be with their love all the time.


You know I take what I can get
The author has learned to appreciate every moment they have with their love.


Give me a dub, now
The author wants even more time with their love.


So good, so good
Being with their love feels amazing.


Come on now, I wish you would
The author wants their love to spend more time with them.


Anytime I get together
Whenever they are with their love.


Get to feeling like I could
Being with their love gives the author a sense of possibility.


Woah are you with me
The author is asking if their love is truly present with them.


Woah is that the best you can give me
The author wants more from their love.


You're even cuter
The author finds their loved one adorable.


When you get crossed
When their loved one is upset or angry.


Just stamp on your foot
A playful gesture their loved one does.


And try to be the boss
Their loved one tries to be in control.


I'm hanging on every word cause the way that you think
The author finds their loved one's thoughts and opinions interesting.


Yes every misstep well it led me to you
Even the things that went wrong brought the author to their love.


I'll do what I got to do to see it through
The author is willing to overcome any obstacle to stay with their love.


If you see a shooting star
A rare and special event.


Celebrate with a kiss
The author wants to celebrate special moments with their love.


Won't have to wait far
They believe that they will have many special moments together.


When no one will ever miss
The author's love is so special that no one could ever forget them.


I'd carve my name on my arm
The author is willing to go even further to show their love.


But you'd be alarmed
Their love would be frightened by this extreme act of devotion.


That I did it
The author would still do it if their love wanted it.


I admit it
The author confesses their love for their partner.


A big swing and a miss
The author recognizes that sometimes they make mistakes in showing their love.


So I'll keep my distance
The author is afraid of driving their love away.


Back in it
Despite past mistakes, the author is still committed to their love.


In a minute
The author will come back and renew their love.




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS

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