Ticklish
At the Drive-In Lyrics
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All my mind's made up
I only colored outside the lines
'Cause I got the knack
Stenciled teen initials
That were carved on the roof of my mouth
Only to bark the words of so-and-so
Fuck so-and-so...
I been dancing in the bathroom stalls
Excreting words just for this song
I'm kicking in windows
And it don't make music to me
"Please get some medication
Simple. it's simple...
We must die with dignity."
Pallbearer we are and all that
We never get and all my little pushes
Fall on your
Deaf
Ears
Kicking in these windows
Kicking in these windows
It's on the roof of my mouth
I'm gonna bark the words
On the roof of my mouth
Tickling with contusions
Paper bag masks hiding infantile music
No pictures, just words
Are you afraid of our books?
Illiterate cells for the valley of mules
The lyrics to At the Drive-In's "Ticklish" speak to the frustration of feeling misunderstood and pigeonholed. The singer notes that their mind is made up, but they are determined to color outside the lines and follow their own instincts. They reference stenciled teen initials carved on the roof of their mouth, perhaps a metaphor for a youthful rebellion and desire to make a mark on the world. The singer is fed up with the opinions of others, declaring "fuck so-and-so" and dancing in bathroom stalls, excreting raw emotions and lyrics just for this song.
The lyrics take a darker turn when the singer acknowledges a need for medication and a desire to die with dignity. They describe themselves as a pallbearer, carrying the weight of their own negativity and feeling like nothing they do will be understood or appreciated by others. The final lines paint a vivid picture of a group that creates "infantile music" and wears paper bag masks, perhaps to obscure their identities or just to poke fun at convention. They ask, "are you afraid of our books?" which could be a reference to the power of creative expression but also suggests that those who judge or dismiss them are simply afraid of what they don't understand.
Overall, this song seems to be about the struggle to find your own voice and identity in a world that often wants to put you in a box. There is a sense of anger and frustration, but also a determination to keep creating and expressing oneself in spite of everything.
Line by Line Meaning
Pigeon holed decision making
I feel like my choices in life are predetermined and limited
All my mind's made up
I have decided on something and won't be swayed
I only colored outside the lines
I refuse to conform to others' expectations and rules
'Cause I got the knack
I have a natural talent for thinking outside the box
Stenciled teen initials
Memories of teenage rebellion still linger in my mind
That were carved on the roof of my mouth
I still hold onto those memories tightly, almost in a visceral way
Only to bark the words of so-and-so
I hear people repeating the same tired ideas over and over, and it frustrates me
Fuck so-and-so...
I'm tired of hearing the same things from this person
I been dancing in the bathroom stalls
I have been creating and experimenting with music privately, without an audience
Excreting words just for this song
I have been tirelessly writing lyrics and expressing my thoughts through music
I'm kicking in windows
I am breaking down barriers and pushing boundaries
And it don't make music to me
My actions aren't necessarily producing anything tangible, but they feel necessary to me
"Please get some medication
People have been telling me to change the way I think, which I feel is unfair
Simple. it's simple...
They oversimplify my complex issues, belittling my struggle
We must die with dignity."
Their solution to my problems is to conform and change, rather than accept and embrace who I am
Pallbearer we are and all that
We are carrying the weight of our own mortality, and all the stress and anxiety that comes with that realization
We never get and all my little pushes
No matter how hard I try, I feel like I'm not making any progress
Fall on your
My efforts to change are ineffective, and others are unwilling to help or support me
Deaf
They are unwilling or unable to listen to me or understand my perspective
Kicking in these windows
I am continuing to push against the confines and limitations of society
Kicking in these windows
I won't stop fighting for change, even if it means challenging established norms and expectations
It's on the roof of my mouth
This urge to create and push against the norm is ingrained in me and can't be silenced
I'm gonna bark the words
I will continue speaking out for change and pushing against the status quo
Tickling with contusions
I am trying to use my pain and struggle to create something beautiful and meaningful
Paper bag masks hiding infantile music
Others might see my work as juvenile or less than serious, but to me it's a powerful expression of my innermost thoughts and struggles
No pictures, just words
I am using language to convey my emotions and impart meaning to my experiences
Are you afraid of our books?
I am challenging people to confront and engage with ideas that challenge their preconceptions, which can be scary
Illiterate cells for the valley of mules
The world values conformity and mediocrity, but I refuse to settle for that and will continue to create and push for change, even if it feels like I'm shouting into the void
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: ADAM AMPERAN, CEDRIC BIXLER, OMAR RODRIGUEZ, RYAN SAWYER, JIM WARD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind