What A Letdown
Barenaked Ladies Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Even if I let this settle
It'll lead to a little fight
Even when I get to meddlin'
I need to remain polite

I could cut across this field
But it hits pretty close to home
Maybe, if I jiggle it a little
It'll open up on it's own

Oh well, what a letdown
Oh well, what a letdown

Never has a stranger had a better
Taste of another town
Just time for a cowboy breakfast
That's a leak and a look around

Looks like the land of plenty
There will be plenty there to do
That might have been funny at twenty
But I just turned thirty two

Oh well, what a letdown
Oh well, what a letdown
Oh well, what a letdown
Oh well, what a letdown

Let down your guard
Moving forward
Finally, four words
What a let down, what a letdown

Even if I let this settle
It'll lead to a little fight
Even when I get to meddlin'
I need to remember to remain polite

I could cut across this field
But it hits pretty close to home
Maybe, if I jiggle it a little
It'll open up on it's own

Oh well, what a letdown
Oh well, what a letdown
Oh well, what a letdown
Oh well, what a letdown

What a letdown
Oh well, what a letdown




Oh well, what a letdown
What a letdown

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Barenaked Ladies' "What A Letdown" convey the sense of feeling unfulfilled and unsure about one's direction in life. The opening lines suggest that despite attempting to settle an issue, it will inevitably lead to conflict even when trying to be polite. The singer then contemplates taking a shortcut through a familiar field that seems to hit "close to home." However, even considering this easy route, the singer wonders if tinkering with it could open it up.


The next lines shift and describe being in a new town and experiencing a sense of isolation and ennui. The singer characterizes themselves as a stranger and reflects on the mundanity of a "cowboy breakfast." The once-funny abundance of things to do seems overwhelming and stale now that the singer has turned thirty-two.


The chorus repeats the phrase "What a letdown" several times, combined with the emotive phrase "Oh well." The repetition of these phrases, combined with a sense of resignation, captures the feelings of disillusionment conveyed throughout the song.


Line by Line Meaning

Even if I let this settle
Despite if I never take action in this situation and just let it sit, it will still result in a small disagreement.


It'll lead to a little fight
Not doing anything about this situation will still cause conflict.


Even when I get to meddlin'
Even when I involve myself in this situation, which may not be my business, I still need to conduct myself politely.


I need to remain polite
I must stay respectful or tactful in my involvement in this situation.


I could cut across this field
I have an option to take a shortcut to resolve or avoid this issue.


But it hits pretty close to home
However, this shortcut has personal or emotional significance to me.


Maybe, if I jiggle it a little
Perhaps, if I make a small adjustment or attempt a minor change, I can resolve this issue.


It'll open up on its own
This small adjustment might be enough to solve the issue without requiring much effort or interference.


Never has a stranger had a better
A person who is unfamiliar with a place has a better experience of that place than I do.


Taste of another town
They get to experience and enjoy this new place without any baggage.


Just time for a cowboy breakfast
There's only time for a quick breakfast before moving on to the next stop.


That's a leak and a look around
They quickly explore the place before moving on.


Looks like the land of plenty
The place appears to have a lot of opportunities and things to do.


There will be plenty there to do
There's no shortage of activities to participate in at this place.


That might have been funny at twenty
Things that were humorous or entertaining in the past are not anymore as I've grown older.


But I just turned thirty-two
I recently reached a new stage in my life where previous experiences may not hold the same value.


Let down your guard
Suggesting the need to be vulnerable or open in a relationship.


Moving forward
Continuing to progress despite past setbacks.


Finally, four words
After much thought or consideration, expressing four words that have meaning.


What a letdown, what a letdown
A repeating expression of disappointment or frustration.


What a letdown
An expression of disappointment or frustration.


Oh well, what a letdown
A resigned and accepting response to a disappointing situation.


Oh well, what a letdown
Another resigned and accepting response to a disappointing situation.


Oh well, what a letdown
Yet another resigned and accepting response to a disappointing situation.


Oh well, what a letdown
A final resigned and accepting response to a disappointing situation.




Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ED ROBERTSON

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found

More Versions