Green attended Emerson College briefly in 1998 before leaving to concentrate on his music, going on to co-found the anti folk group The Moldy Peaches with Kimya Dawson. In 2004 The Moldy Peaches went on hiatus and both Green and Dawson embarked on solo careers.
Green released several albums on Rough Trade Records. Among his better known songs are "Jessica" (about singer Jessica Simpson), "Novotel", "Friends of Mine", "Dance with Me", "Carolina" and "Emily", and, in Britain, his cover of The Libertines track "What a Waster".
Prior to Jacket Full of Danger in 2006, all of Green's albums had been released on the 22nd of the month. His latest album was released on March 18, 2008 and is titled Sixes & Sevens. Titles include "Morning After Midnight", "Twee Twee Dee", and "Drowning Head First", the latter a duet between Green and his girlfriend.
In January 2008, The Moldy Peaches began having a resurgence in popularity, due to their music being included in the hit indie film Juno.
Rather Have No Thing
Adam Green Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
That goes crashing through these days?
Who is this old house guest in my room?
What is this hand in our way?
It's in the space of your eyes
You really don't need me right now
I didn't know everything
I'd rather have no thing
Than find out the whole thing
I went drifting through oceans and wires
Cross guards, a thousand eyes
Bought some airplane glue for my soul
But now I'm here to die
It's in the space of your eyes
You really don't need me right now
I didn't know everything
You'd rather have no thing
I'd rather have no thing
Than find out the whole thing
It's in the space of your eyes
You really don't need me right now
I didn't know everything
You'd rather have no thing
I'd rather have no thing
Than find out the whole thing
The song "Rather Have No Thing" by Adam Green is a melancholic tune that delves into the feelings of uncertainty and fear of rejection in a relationship. In the first verse, the lyrics "What is this game show in my heart/That goes crashing through these days?" suggest that the singer is experiencing feelings of confusion and turbulence, as if he's in a game show where he doesn't know the rules. The next line, "Who is this old house guest in my room?" could be interpreted as the singer feeling like there is an uninvited guest in his head, someone who is preventing him from fully committing to the relationship.
The chorus of the song, "You'd rather have no thing/ I'd rather have no thing/ Than find out the whole thing" reinforces the idea of avoiding any unpleasant truths or outcomes. The singer would rather avoid the risk of finding out that the person he loves doesn't feel the same way, than to face the truth head on. The lyrics "It's in the space of your eyes/ You really don't need me right now" could be interpreted as a reflection of the singer's insecurity, feeling unworthy of the love and attention of the person he loves.
In the second verse, the lyrics "I went drifting through oceans and wires/ Cross guards, a thousand eyes" suggest that the singer has been wandering aimlessly, trying to find something to fill the void that he’s experiencing. However, his efforts seem futile, as the line "Bought some airplane glue for my soul/ But now I'm here to die" suggests that he feels trapped and helpless. The song ends with a repetition of the chorus, emphasizing the internal conflict that the singer feels, between wanting to know the truth and fearing the worst.
Line by Line Meaning
What is this game show in my heart
What is this confusing and tumultuous emotional state that I am experiencing?
That goes crashing through these days?
That seems to be disrupting my daily life.
Who is this old house guest in my room?
Why am I feeling unsettled and uncomfortable in my own personal space?
What is this hand in our way?
What is preventing us from moving forward or making progress?
It's in the space of your eyes
The source of my current emotional turmoil is apparent in your gaze.
You really don't need me right now
You seem to be content without my presence or involvement in your life at the moment.
I didn't know everything
I was not fully aware of the complexities of our relationship or your emotions.
You'd rather have no thing
You would prefer to have no emotional connection or attachment with me at all.
I'd rather have no thing
I too would rather have no emotional attachment, rather than be burdened with the pain of a broken relationship.
Than find out the whole thing
I would rather remain ignorant of the full scope of our issues and the reasons behind our emotional disconnect.
I went drifting through oceans and wires
I have tried to escape my problems by seeking out distractions and mindless entertainment.
Cross guards, a thousand eyes
No amount of external distractions can fully shield me from the emotional pain that I am feeling.
Bought some airplane glue for my soul
I have resorted to unhealthy coping mechanisms in order to avoid dealing with my emotions.
But now I'm here to die
I have reached a point where I feel emotionally exhausted and unable to continue fighting my problems.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Adam Green
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind