Me and Mr. Popularity
Andrew Barth Feldman Lyrics

DAD GOT HIS EAR PIERCED, HE’S 49 UNEMPLOYMENT ISN’T TREATING HIM FINE
The singer's father, who is unemployed, got his ear pierced at the age of 49.

HE TRIES ON MY CLOTHES, AS IF THEY’LL MAKE HIM COOLER
The father tries on the singer's clothes in an attempt to become more fashionable or 'cooler.'

MOM’S STILL WORKING ON SOME LAWYER CASE SHE’S NEVER HERE, I’M FORGETTING HER FACE AND I’M AFRAID OF WHAT DAD MIGHT TAKE UP NEXT
The singer's mother is consumed by her work as a lawyer and is rarely home, causing the singer to forget her face. The singer is anxious about what other unusual behaviors the father might exhibit.

PETER BOOKED HIS NEXT BIG ROLE BUSSING TABLES, HE SAYS IT’S A STRETCH FOR HIM BUT ME, SURPRISINGLY, I’M DOING GREAT, BECAUSE TODAY
The artist's friend Peter is taking on a new role as a busboy but finds it challenging. The artist is doing well because he has an opportunity to spend time with 'Mr. Popularity', who needs his help with computer science.

ME AND MR. POPULARITY WILL BE SPENDING MORE TIME YOU SEE, ‘CAUSE HE NEEDS A TUTOR FOR COMPUTER SCIENCE UNTIL THE SEMESTER’S END AND FOR ME THIS IS THE CLOSEST THING TO HAVING A FRIEND
The artist and 'Mr. Popularity' will be spending more time together as the latter needs help with computer science. The artist values this time as it is an opportunity for him to connect with someone and have a 'friend.'

TWO WEEKS LATER AND THINGS ARE NEAT SOMETIMES HE WAVES TO ME ON THE STREET, BUT THAT’S ONLY WHEN THERE’S NO ONE IN SIGHT I COULD TAKE IT PERSONALLY, BUT WE’RE NOT HANGING, JUST TUTORING AND IT’S FINE – I UNDERSTAND MY ROLE
Two weeks later, the singer and 'Mr. Popularity' only wave at each other when there's no one else around. Though the singer could feel slighted, he understands that they are not hanging out but simply tutoring as per their arrangement.

BUT TODAY, HE CAME TO ME, IT WAS KINDA NEW ASKED IF I WANTED TO SMOKE WITH HIM SOME NIGHT AND I SAID, “UM WELL, I’VE NEVER SMOKED BEFORE BUT ALRIGHT!”
On one occasion, 'Mr. Popularity' makes an unusual request to the singer to smoke with him one night. The singer, who has never tried smoking before, agrees to go along with it.

ME AND MR. POPULARITY WILL BE ENGAGING IN ILLEGAL ACTIVITY GUESS HE’S TIRED OF COMPUTER SCIENCE, SO NOW I’M GONNA SPEND A NIGHT GETTING TO KNOW A JOINT – AND MAYBE A FRIEND
The artist and 'Mr. Popularity' will be engaging in smoking marijuana, an illegal activity. 'Mr. Popularity' seems to be tired of computer science, and the artist hopes to get to know him better through this experience.

SUCH A STRANGE AND NEW SENSATION ACTUALLY HAVING A CONVERSATION FEELING ANXIOUS AND NERVOUS, BUT HE’S INCREDIBLY CALM HE TALKS ABOUT FOOTBALL AND GIRLS HE LIVES IN SUCH A DIFFERENT WORLD A LIFE HE SEEMS TO PROTECT SO I NOD, AND I LISTEN AND LEARN WHILE IT SUDDENLY STARTS TO TURN THINGS YOU’D NEVER EXPECT SEEING HE’S SOMEWHAT OF A WRECK AND THAT’S SOMETHING WE CAN CONNECT ON
The artist feels nervous and anxious but is surprised to find that 'Mr. Popularity' is quite calm. 'Mr. Popularity' shares stories about football and girls, which the artist listens to and learns from. In the process, the artist discovers that 'Mr. Popularity' is not as confident as he seems and is perhaps struggling with some personal problems.

DAD NOW LISTENS TO LIL WAYNE MOM IS STRESSED AND GOING INSANE AND NORMALLY, I WOULD CARE PETER’S STILL AUDITIONING OUT THERE LIVING THE AMERICAN DREAM AT LEAST THAT’S WHAT THEY SAY
The artist's father now listens to Lil Wayne, while the mother is stressed and struggling with her job as a lawyer. The artist's friend Peter is still auditioning for roles and trying to achieve the American Dream.

BUT ME, REFRESHINGLY, I’M DOING GREAT I’M APPRECIATING ALL THE TIME I SPEND ‘CAUSE I NEVER KNEW I NEVER KNEW, BACK THEN THAT ME AND MR. POPULARITY WOULD BE SPENDING MORE TIME YOU SEE, ‘CAUSE HE NEEDED A TUTOR FOR COMPUTER SCIENCE BUT THAT WAS WAY BACK THEN NOW WE LAUGH AND TALK AGAIN AND AGAIN AND REALLY, I THINK HIM AND ME ARE POSSIBLY BECOMING FRIENDS
Despite the challenges faced by the singer's family and friend, the singer is doing well and appreciates the time he spends with 'Mr. Popularity.' The singer never expected that he and 'Mr. Popularity' would become closer, but they now laugh and talk together and may be becoming genuine friends.