"Beggin for Thread" garnered moderate chart success upon its release. In the United States, it peaked at number 11 on the Billboard Alternative Songs chart. Internationally, it charted in Germany and Australia at numbers 64 and 80, respectively. The song debuted on live television when Banks performed it on ABC's Jimmy Kimmel Live on August 4, 2014.
In the United States, "Beggin for Thread" debuted at number 33 on the US Alternative Songs chart during the week of September 29, 2014. It peaked at number 11 on the chart on December 27, 2014. The song continued to enjoy moderate success when it debuted at number 39 on Mediabase's Adult Top 40.
The track was ranked 27th for the Triple J Hottest 100, in 2014. An accompanying music video for the song was directed by Barnaby Roper and released on July 29, 2014. It depicts Banks in a black-and-white setting while surrounded by male background dancers. On August 7, 2014, Banks made her late-night television debut on ABC's Jimmy Kimmel Live, where she performed the song along with "Waiting Game". On April 3, 2015, she performed "Beggin for Thread" on The Late Show with David Letterman.
Beggin for Thread
Banks Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And sometimes I don't got a filter
But I'm so tired of eatin'
All of my misspoken words
I know my disposition gets confusing
My disproportionate reactions fuse with my eager state
That's why you wanna come out and play with me, yeah
Why? Why?
Why?
Stooped down and out, you got me beggin' for thread
To sew this hole up that you ripped in my head
Stupidly think you had it under control
Strapped down to something that you don't understand
Don't know what you were getting yourself into
You should have known, secretly I think you knew
I got some dirt on my shoes
My words can come out as a pistol
I'm no good at aimin'
But I can aim it at you
I know my actions, they may get confusin'
But my unstable ways is my solution to even space
That's why you wanna come out and play with me, yeah
Stooped down and out, you got me beggin for thread
To sew this hole up that you ripped in my head
Stupidly think you had it under control
Strapped down to something that you don't understand
Don't know what you were getting yourself into
You should have known, secretly I think you knew
(Secretly I think you knew)
Hold it out, whoa
Try to hide it out, but my tracks are better
Hold it out, whoa
Try to hide it out, but my tracks are better
Hold it out, whoa
Try to hide it out, but my tracks are better
Hold it out, whoa
Try to hide it out, but my tracks are better
Stooped down and out, you got me beggin' for thread
To sew this hole up that you ripped in my head
Stupidly think you had it under control
Strapped down to something that you don't understand
Don't know what you were getting yourself into
You should have known, secretly I think you knew
(Secretly I think you knew)
The song "Beggin for Thread" by Banks is about the complicated emotional state of a person who recognizes their own flaws and tendencies towards instability but also desires to be loved and understood. The lyrics describe the singer's "edges that scratch" and their tendency to speak without a filter, leading to "misspoken words" that cause them to feel ashamed. At the same time, the singer's "unstable ways" are the only solution they know for creating some measure of equilibrium in their life. The refrain "Stooped down and out, you got me beggin' for thread" suggests a need for support, perhaps from a lover or close friend, to help repair the psychological damage that has been done.
The second verse seems to be directed at someone specific, perhaps a former lover, who the singer feels has taken advantage of their vulnerability. The line "Strapped down to something that you don't understand" suggests that the other person has misjudged the singer's emotional needs or has willfully ignored them. Despite this betrayal, the singer still sees the other person as someone who should have known better, suggesting a deep level of hurt and disappointment.
Overall, the song speaks to the universal desire for connection and acceptance, even in the face of our flaws and insecurities. The singer's willingness to expose their vulnerabilities and name their shortcomings is a brave and vulnerable act, and it invites the listener to consider their own emotional struggles and search for understanding.
Line by Line Meaning
So I got edges that scratch
I have aspects of my personality that can be sharp or abrasive
And sometimes I don't got a filter
Occasionally I can be tactless and speak my mind too freely without considering the consequences
But I'm so tired of eatin' all of my misspoken words
I'm exhausted from constantly apologizing for the things I say that I regret
I know my disposition gets confusing
I'm aware that my overall outlook on life and behavior may be hard to understand
My disproportionate reactions fuse with my eager state
My strong emotional reactions are intensified by my impulsive nature
That's why you wanna come out and play with me, yeah
My unpredictability and exciting energy is what draws you to me
Stooped down and out, you got me beggin' for thread
I feel broken and helpless after you caused emotional damage to me, and I'm desperate to mend the wound
To sew this hole up that you ripped in my head
I want to heal and overcome the mental distress caused by you
Stupidly think you had it under control
You falsely believed you had authority and power over me when in reality you didn't
Strapped down to something that you don't understand
You're in a situation that you're unable to comprehend or handle
Don't know what you were getting yourself into
You didn't realize the magnitude of the situation or the consequences of your actions
You should have known, secretly I think you knew
Deep down, you're aware of what you did wrong and that it would lead to problems in the future
My words can come out as a pistol
My words can be powerful and sharp, capable of inflicting emotional harm on others
I'm no good at aimin', but I can aim it at you
I may not intend to hurt you, but my words end up targeting you because of the emotional damage you've caused me
But my unstable ways is my solution to even space
My impulsive behavior is my way of creating balance in my life
Hold it out, whoa, Try to hide it out, but my tracks are better
You can try to conceal the truth, but I'm better at uncovering falsehoods
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: TIM ANDERSON, JESSE ROGG, JILLIAN BANKS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@bob-a-louannamaria7960
So I got edges that scratch
And sometimes I don't got a filter
But I'm so tired of eating
All of my misspoken words
I know my disposition gets confusing
My disproportionate reactions fuse with my eager state
That's why you wanna come out and play with me, yeah
Why?
Stooped down and out, you got me beggin' for thread
To sew this hole up that you ripped in my head
Stupidly think you had it under control
Strapped down to something that you don't understand
Don't know what you were getting yourself into
You should have known, secretly I think you knew
I got some dirt on my shoes
My words can come out as a pistol
I'm no good at aiming
But I can aim it at you
I know my actions, they may get confusing
But my unstable ways is my solution
To even space
That's why you wanna come out and play with me, yeah
Stooped down and out, you got me beggin' for thread
To sew this hole up that you ripped in my head
Stupidly think you had it under control
Strapped down to something that you don't understand
Don't know what you were getting yourself into
You should have known, secretly I think you knew
(Secretly I think you knew)
Hold it out, whoa
Try to hide it out, but my tracks are better
Hold it out, whoa
Try to hide it out, but my tracks are better
Hold it out, whoa
Try to hide it out, but my tracks are better
Hold it out, whoa
Try to hide it out, but my tracks are better
Stooped down and out, you got me beggin' for thread
To sew this hole up that you ripped in my head
Stupidly think you had it under control
Strapped down to something that you don't understand
Don't know what you were getting yourself into
You should have known, secretly I think you knew
(Secretly I think you knew)
@uiphd
I was her 9th grade science teacher! So happy to see her as a rising star. Kudos to you, Jillian Banks. Your voice is unparalleled and beautiful. Hopefully I get to see you at one of our alumni receptions or reunions.
@976luck
That is so awesome , how special I saw this note to her. I am really inspired by her and yeah I feel connected
@976luck
I just got diagnosed with a terminal disease and music is the best medicine AMEN
@macheeny4454
LAY'D LÜX Jesus. I’m sorry :(
@T1Earn
suuuure bud
@muffin1
i am her
@Stephen-Harding
All of her songs are like this. Intense. Artistic. Unique. She is remarkably beautiful.
@sachalebabe
Ya! And why are almost all of the comments from years ago?
@johnnysins4158
I’d love to toss her salad.
@ashisntavailable
I walked into a grocery store while this was playing on the store radio and I almost started crying. I was also on shrooms. 10/10, would recommend