Your Dogs
Ben Folds / Nick Hornby Lyrics
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I get it
I promise you I do
Your mom walked out on you
When you were only two
You've grown up believing
That this country is a bore
And your only twenty four
The Christians on the radio
They act like your're scum
Self righteous congressmen
They bastard each and every one
I don't read the bible
But I try to love you man
Every flaw and violent act
I think I understand
But your dogs
Your dogs
What's fun about those
The tat on your neck and the ring through your nose
The weed, the jump through the violent pornography
Don't think you want to be just a little more like me
I still have hopes
You can join our community
More of us than you
But we welcome the diversity
You're not quite trash like the other neighbors say
If you want to challenge stereotypes then join the P.T.A.
At night when your pitbulls are scaring our children
My wife, I'll be honest here, wants me to shoot them
Sometimes I bet my fantasy is fun
But your dogs
Your dogs
What's fun about those
The tat on your neck and the ring through your nose
The weed the jump through the violent pornography
Don't you think you want to be just a little more like me
But that's only at night when I'm not really thinking
And your listening to Metallica in your backyard drinking
The rest of the time I think we get along fine
I've never judged you I'm a live and let live guy
But your dogs
Your dogs
What's fun about those
The tat on your neck and the ring through your nose
The weed the jump through the violent pornography
Don't think you want to be just a little more like me
The song “Your Dogs” by Ben Folds and Nick Hornby tells the story of a protagonist who tries to befriend his neighbor despite their differences. The song touches on various themes such as alienation, social class, and expectations of masculinity. The lyrics describe the neighbor as someone who has had a rough life since childhood, growing up without a mother, and feeling disconnected from society.
The neighbor is portrayed as someone who doesn't fit into the local community and is ostracized by his neighbors because of his tattoos, piercings, and love for violent pornography. Despite this, the singer still hopes to connect with the neighbor and invites him to join the parent-teacher association as a way to challenge the stereotypes surrounding him. However, the singer admits that he sometimes has fantasies of shooting the neighbor's pitbulls, which shows that even the singer is not immune to prejudice and stereotyping.
Overall, the song shows the complexity of human nature, the struggle to connect with others who may have different backgrounds and experiences, and how stereotypes and prejudices can affect how we view others.
Line by Line Meaning
I see it
I understand your situation
I get it
I fully comprehend your perspective
I promise you I do
You can trust me that I truly understand
Your mom walked out on you
You grew up without a mother figure
When you were only two
At a very young age
You've grown up believing
Your perception of life has been shaped by
That this country is a bore
The country you live in is uninteresting to you
You're a dad three times
You have three children
And you're only twenty-four
Despite your young age
The Christians on the radio
Christians broadcasting their beliefs
They act like you're scum
They treat you with contempt
Self-righteous congressmen
Politicians with a superiority complex
They bastard each and every one
They are all corrupt
I don't read the bible
I don't follow any religious text
But I try to love you man
I attempt to form a connection with you as a fellow human being
Every flaw and violent act
Any negative aspect, including violent behavior
I think I understand
I believe I comprehend your actions and mindset
But your dogs
However, your choice in pets
What's fun about those
I fail to see the enjoyment in them
The tat on your neck and the ring through your nose
Your body modifications
The weed, the jump through the violent pornography
Your indulgences in drugs, extreme activities, and disturbing content
Don't think you want to be just a little more like me
Perhaps you'd prefer to emulate me to some extent
I still have hopes
I maintain optimism
You can join our community
You are welcome to be part of our neighborhood
More of us than you
There are more of us than there are of you
But we welcome the diversity
Despite our differences, we welcome everyone
You're not quite trash like the other neighbors say
You're not as bad as others make you out to be
If you want to challenge stereotypes then join the P.T.A.
You can challenge preconceptions by participating in the Parent-Teacher Association
At night when your pitbulls are scaring our children
When your dogs cause fear in our kids
My wife, I'll be honest here, wants me to shoot them
I must confess that my spouse suggests taking drastic measures
Sometimes I bet my fantasy is fun
I occasionally indulge in thoughts of violence
But your dogs
However, your canines
What's fun about those
I fail to see the enjoyment in them
The tat on your neck and the ring through your nose
Your body modifications
The weed, the jump through the violent pornography
Your indulgences in drugs, extreme activities, and disturbing content
Don't you think you want to be just a little more like me
Perhaps you'd prefer to emulate me to some extent
But that's only at night when I'm not really thinking
These thoughts only happen when I'm not in a rational state of mind
And you're listening to Metallica in your backyard drinking
While you enjoy heavy metal and alcohol outside your home
The rest of the time I think we get along fine
Otherwise, we coexist peacefully
I've never judged you I'm a live and let live guy
I've never negatively evaluated you as an individual; I prefer to respect others' lifestyles
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: BEN FOLDS, BENJAMIN SCOTT FOLDS, NICHOLAS PETER JOHN HORNBY, NICK HORNBY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind