Soap Box Derby
AFI Lyrics


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I'm not angry, I'm just amused at
Your quest for attention through your
Self-abuse.
The only response that you get
For your pleas is sorely less
Than sympathy.

What reason is there to be alive?
When the word is against you
How can you survive?
All your friends are apathetic at best,
And your entire life is a total mess.
Give it a fucking rest.

You can't, you can't feel me, I'm scared so deep.
No one could ever need me.
Could you please leave me alone?

I'm sorry to hear that your world's sinking fast
And you've lost your stable ground
And I'm sorry to add to your disappointment,
But I won't be brought down.

I'm not angry, I'm just amused at all the dramatics
You love to use, but one thing I know is that
You're not happy unless you're unhappy.
You're not content until you're brought down,
And you're always so alone because you
Can't be found.

Your soul is black and you're filled with hate.




How much more could you possibly take?
Give me a fucking break.

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to AFI's "Soap-Box Derby" explore the themes of self-destructive behavior, isolation, and the need for attention and validation. The song's narrator, while not angry, is amused by the dramatics of someone who is seeking attention through self-abuse. Despite their pleas for sympathy, they receive no response, suggesting a lack of empathy or understanding from others. The singer questions the reason for being alive when the world seems to be against you and nothing seems to go right. The person being addressed seems to be in a state of constant unhappiness and misery, as they are "not happy unless [they're] unhappy" and "not content until [they're] brought down." The song ends with a plea for the person to give it a rest and a statement that their soul is black and filled with hate.


Overall, the lyrics paint a picture of someone who is struggling with their own demons and using harmful behaviors to cope. The singer seems to have some level of understanding for why the person is behaving this way, but also recognizes the negative impact it's having on their life and those around them.


Line by Line Meaning

I'm not angry, I'm just amused at
Indicates that the singer is not angry but finds it amusing.


Your quest for attention through your
Criticizes the person for trying to seek attention through self-abuse.


Self-abuse.
Refers to self-harming behaviors of the person.


The only response that you get
Suggests that the person is not getting any positive response from others.


For your pleas is sorely less
Conveys that the response to the person is lacking in empathy.


Than sympathy.
Compares the response to the person's situation with what is expected.


What reason is there to be alive?
Questions the purpose of living.


When the word is against you
States that the person is facing a lot of obstacles in life.


How can you survive?
Asks how the person can keep going in life.


All your friends are apathetic at best,
Suggests that the person's friends are not very caring.


And your entire life is a total mess.
Highlights the chaotic state of the person's life.


Give it a fucking rest.
Tells the person to stop complaining.


You can't, you can't feel me, I'm scared so deep.
Indicates that the singer is struggling to connect with the person.


No one could ever need me.
Expresses feelings of worthlessness and isolation.


Could you please leave me alone?
Asks the person to stop bothering the singer.


I'm sorry to hear that your world's sinking fast
Sympathizes with the person's difficulties.


And you've lost your stable ground
Refers to the person's situation of instability.


And I'm sorry to add to your disappointment,
Apologizes for not being able to help the person.


But I won't be brought down.
Expresses the singer's resilience in the face of adversity.


I'm not angry, I'm just amused at all the dramatics
Reiterates that the artist is not angry but amused by the person's behavior.


You love to use, but one thing I know is that
Accuses the person of enjoying being dramatic.


You're not happy unless you're unhappy.
Suggests that the person may be addicted to negativity.


You're not content until you're brought down,
Further emphasizes the person's tendency to seek negativity.


And you're always so alone because you
Indicates that the person is always isolated due to their behavior.


Can't be found.
Implicates that others may not want to be around the person due to their behavior.


Your soul is black and you're filled with hate.
Describes the person's negativity on a deeper level.


How much more could you possibly take?
Questions how much more the person can endure.


Give me a fucking break.
Expresses frustration with the person's behavior.




Contributed by Gavin W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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