Other 99
Big Audio Dynamite Lyrics


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Everything's not always great
Sometimes it's just fine
No one gets ten out of ten
Lucky if it's nine
No I ain't the greatest
Sure there's imperfections
And if you gave me a test
Might not pass the inspection
Everything's not always great
Sometimes it's just fine
I ain't with the 100 crowd
I'm with the 99

Nobody is perfect
Of this I am sure
I looked into the mirror
And I saw the floor

You can draw your own conclusion
But I'll tell you mine
I ain't with the 100 crowd
I'm with the 99

Nobody is perfect
That ain't no jive
No one gets ten out of ten
You gotta strive for five
I won't say that I'm the best
That you ever had
But the bit that has been good
Sure outweights the bad
Nobody is perfect
Tell you I don't mind
If you ain't in the 100 crowd
Join the 99
Got me some ambition
Just like all the rest
And I got a mission
But I'd settle for less

You can draw your own conclusion
But I'll tell you mine
I ain't with the 100 crowd
I'm with the 99
I ain't with the 100 crowd
I'm with the 99

Hey hey now
Everything's not always great
Everything's not always great
Sometimes it's just fine
Sometimes it's just fine
No one gets ten out of ten
Lucky if it's nine

Everything's not always great
Everything's not always great
Sometimes it's just fine
Sometimes it's just fine
No one gets ten out of ten
Lucky if it's nine
Hey hey now

Everything's not always great
Everything's not always great
Sometimes it's just fine
Sometimes it's just fine
No one gets ten out of ten
Lucky if it's nine

Everything's not always great
Everything's not always great
Sometimes it's just fine
Sometimes it's just fine




No one gets ten out of ten
Lucky if it's nine

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Big Audio Dynamite's song "Other 99" convey the message that not everyone can be perfect and that it's okay to be part of the majority rather than the minority. The first few lines indicate that there are times when things may not be excellent, but it's alright as not everybody can achieve perfection with a ten out of ten. Mick Jones, the writer of the song, acknowledges his imperfections and the fact that he may not pass an inspection by anyone he deems higher than himself. The chorus explains that he doesn't need to be part of the top one percent as he is perfectly okay with being included in the larger number of the ninety-nine percentile. The lyric "I looked into the mirror, and I saw the floor" conveys his realization that he is not perfect and needs to strive to be better.


The writer shares that everyone has their mission and ambition, and while he is not striving to be that top one percent (the hundred crowd), he is still working on his objectives and would be content if he achieves less than what he aspires for. We can not always be the best, and it's okay. This song conveys the message of being true to oneself and being comfortable with what you have rather than striving for perfection endlessly.


Line by Line Meaning

Everything's not always great
Nobody is perfect


Sometimes it's just fine
Of this I am sure


No one gets ten out of ten
That ain't no jive


Lucky if it's nine
You gotta strive for five


No I ain't the greatest
I won't say that I'm the best


Sure there's imperfections
Nobody is perfect


And if you gave me a test
Tell you I don't mind


Might not pass the inspection
If you ain't in the 100 crowd, join the 99


I ain't with the 100 crowd
I'm with the 99


Nobody is perfect
That ain't no jive


Of this I am sure
Everything's not always great


I looked into the mirror
You can draw your own conclusion


And I saw the floor
But I'll tell you mine


You can draw your own conclusion
You can draw your own conclusion


But I'll tell you mine
But I'll tell you mine


That you ever had
Tell you I don't mind


But the bit that has been good
Sure outweighs the bad


Tell you I don't mind
If you ain't in the 100 crowd, join the 99


Join the 99
If you ain't in the 100 crowd, join the 99


Got me some ambition
I got me some ambition


Just like all the rest
Just like all the rest


And I got a mission
And I got a mission


But I'd settle for less
But I'd settle for less


Hey hey now
Hey hey now


Everything's not always great
Nobody is perfect


Everything's not always great
Nobody is perfect


Sometimes it's just fine
Of this I am sure


Sometimes it's just fine
Of this I am sure


No one gets ten out of ten
That ain't no jive


Lucky if it's nine
You gotta strive for five


Everything's not always great
Nobody is perfect


Everything's not always great
Nobody is perfect


Sometimes it's just fine
Of this I am sure


Sometimes it's just fine
Of this I am sure


No one gets ten out of ten
That ain't no jive


Lucky if it's nine
You gotta strive for five


Everything's not always great
Nobody is perfect


Everything's not always great
Nobody is perfect


Sometimes it's just fine
Of this I am sure


Sometimes it's just fine
Of this I am sure


No one gets ten out of ten
That ain't no jive


Lucky if it's nine
You gotta strive for five




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DANIEL DONOVAN, DON LETTS, GREG ROBERTS, HERMAN EZEKIEL WILLIAMS, MICHAEL GEOFFREY JONES

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

Michael Mueller

As someone who struggles with perfectionism, I need to listen to this song once in a while as a reminder that it's okay to do something good instead of perfectly, the main thing is to do it instead of fail to take any action.

Avery Daymond

With the exception of e=MC & rush, here in America or at least where I grew up (Arkansas) I never heard any big audio dynamite songs on the radio. It's absolutely disgusting honestly because they had many songs better than the crap being played on the radio at the time. Thank you internet!

Tom Gould

The most underrated band ever

Ty Lally

Finest. Band ever.

Graham Young

Seems like a theme for the day at work I just had! After listening to this track I feel so much better! BAD...........

Paul Byrne

Saw them live in McGonagles Dublin this tune and 88 was just released.

ussling

Please, anyone, get a DeLorean with a functional Flux Capacitor and take me back to the 1980s.

Joseph Di Lorenzo

Pure truth, those lyrics.

sonic jet

Sounds like Prince Rasberry Beret :)

Paulina Arango Herrera

Yeah

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