Flake
Ben Harper / Jack Johnson Lyrics
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You can make it up next time
I know she knows, it's not right
There ain't no use in lying
Maybe she thinks I know something
Maybe, maybe she thinks it's fine
Maybe she knows something I don't
I'm so, I'm so tired, I'm so tired of trying
It seems to me that maybe
It pretty much always means, no
So don't tell me, you might just let it go
And often times we're lazy
It seems to stand in my way
'Cause no one, no not, no one
Likes to be let down
I know she loves the sunrise
No longer sees it with her sleeping eyes
And I know that when she said, she's gonna try
Well, it might not work because of other ties and
I know she usually has some other ties
And I wouldn't wanna break 'em, nah, I wouldn't wanna break 'em
Maybe she'll help me to untie this, but
Until then well, I'm gonna have to lie to her
It seems to me that maybe
It pretty much always means, no
So don't tell me, you might just let it go
And often times we're lazy
It seems to stand in my way
'Cause no one, no not, no one
Likes to be let down
It seems to me that maybe
It pretty much always means, no
So don't tell me, you might just let it go
The harder that you try baby, the further you'll fall
Even with all the money in the whole wide world
Please, please, please don't pass me
Please, please, please don't pass me
Please, please, please don't pass me by
Everything you know about me now, baby you gonna have to change
You goin' to call it, by a brand new name
Please, please, please don't drag me
Please, please, please don't drag me
Please, please, please don't drag me down
Just like your tree, down by the water, baby I shall not move
Even after all the silly things you do
Please, please, please don't drag me
Please, please, please don't drag me
Please, please, please don't drag me down
The song "Flake" by Ben Harper and Jack Johnson is a mellow, introspective tune about a man who is interested in a woman who may not reciprocate his feelings. The first verse sees the singer explaining how this woman has given him a second chance after he let her down. However, he recognizes that she doesn't believe him and he's struggling to prove his sincerity to her. The chorus "It seems to me that maybe, it pretty much always means no. So don't tell me, you might just let it go" expresses the singer's fear of not hearing what he wants to hear from this woman.
In the second verse, the singer is contemplating whether the woman is interested in him, or if she is just trying to be polite. He notes that it's difficult to know what someone is really thinking, and sometimes it's easier to simply take rejection for granted. Additionally, the singer acknowledges the woman's complicated personal life, which presents a barrier for a potential romance between them.
The final verse sees the singer accepting the possibility that he and this woman may not be compatible, and she may not be interested in him. The repeated refrain of "please don't drag me down" highlights the singer's fear of being hurt and his desperation for her to spare his feelings. Overall, "Flake" is a poignant exploration of the complexities of romantic attraction and the fear of rejection.
Line by Line Meaning
I know she said, it's alright
I am aware that she forgave me
You can make it up next time
I have a second chance to make it right
I know she knows, it's not right
I understand that she knows I did wrong
There ain't no use in lying
It's pointless to try and deceive her
Maybe she thinks I know something
Perhaps she believes I am hiding something
Maybe, maybe she thinks it's fine
She might be okay with my mistake
Maybe she knows something I don't
She could be aware of something I am not
I'm so, I'm so tired, I'm so tired of trying
I am exhausted from attempting to make things right
It seems to me that maybe
From my perspective, it appears that
It pretty much always means, no
Most of the time, it signifies a negative response
So don't tell me, you might just let it go
Do not say you will forget about it if you won't
And often times we're lazy
Frequently we lack motivation
It seems to stand in my way
It appears to be an obstacle for me
'Cause no one, no not, no one
Because nobody likes
Likes to be let down
To be disappointed
I know she loves the sunrise
I am aware that she enjoys watching the sunrise
No longer sees it with her sleeping eyes
She is no longer asleep to enjoy it
And I know that when she said, she's gonna try
I understand that she will do her best
Well, it might not work because of other ties and
But it might not have a favorable outcome due to other commitments
I know she usually has some other ties
She normally has obligations elsewhere
And I wouldn't wanna break 'em, nah, I wouldn't wanna break 'em
I would not want to interfere with those commitments
Maybe she'll help me to untie this, but
Perhaps she will help me with this situation
Until then well, I'm gonna have to lie to her
In the meantime, I will have to deceive her
The harder that you try baby, the further you'll fall
The more effort you put in, the greater the failure if it occurs
Even with all the money in the whole wide world
Even with an abundance of funds
Please, please, please don't pass me
I beg you not to leave me behind
Please, please, please don't pass me
I implore you not to abandon me
Please, please, please don't pass me by
Please do not overlook or ignore me
Everything you know about me now, baby you gonna have to change
You will have to alter your perception of me
You goin' to call it, by a brand new name
You will refer to it differently from now on
Please, please, please don't drag me
Please do not pull me down with you
Please, please, please don't drag me
Please do not bring me down
Please, please, please don't drag me down
Please do not cause me to fail
Just like your tree, down by the water, baby I shall not move
Similar to the tree you admire, I will not budge
Even after all the silly things you do
Despite your foolish actions
Please, please, please don't drag me
Please do not drag me down with you
Please, please, please don't drag me
Please do not bring me down
Please, please, please don't drag me down
Please do not cause me to fail
Lyrics © Bubble Toes Publishing
Written by: Jack Hody Johnson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind