Born Ruffians released their first album under their current name in 2006. The self-titled EP was followed by the 2008 release of ”Red, Yellow & Blue”. Their sophomore album was critically well received, earning an Independent Music Awards nomination for Pop/Rock Album of the year. In 2010, Born Ruffians released their second full-length album, ”Say It”.
In April of 2013, the band released another LP, titled ”Birthmarks”, with Yep Roc and Paper Bag Records.
Barnacle Goose
Born Ruffians Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But I can't change
I don't want to be me anymore
& All of the tics & tocs & clicks of clocks
That tell the time tell me this is just a phase
& Everything every day
That's been scraping away
Can't come to form a thought except...
& All the thoughts I think I've saved
Here for days that remain
Just keep eating away
& I still can't sleep sing...
Why can't you tell me what I wanna hear
To help me get some rest
Oh my darling dear?
The songs of the birds
Don't bring calmness no more
Oh no, no they don't sing
& None of the girls seem to think you're cool
It's probably because you smell bad
A skin disease won't get you
Nowhere these days
It's true, it's sad but true
& Everything every day
That's been scraping away
At the side of my brain
Can't come to form a thought except...
& All of the thoughts I think I've saved
Here for days that remain
Just keep eating away
& I still can't sleep I sing...
We're going to make plans
We have plans to make plans
We're going to do it right
We've locked it in our sights
I'll la-dee-da & they can dum-dee-day
We'll tra-la-la all night and day we'll go far
& If I write enough
& think about it it'll happen
It's not as tough as mom said
As it so happens
Your analyst lied to you when
She told you the truth
About boys, fear, open sores
& Things that are simple
Like opening doors
& All the thoughts I think I've saved here
For days that remain
Just eat eat eat away
& I still can't sleep/sing
The song "Barnacle Goose" by Born Ruffians is a contemplative and self-reflective track about the struggles of self-acceptance and personal identity. The opening lines, "I'm frustrated with myself but I can't change, I don't want to be me anymore," express a deep dissatisfaction with one's own identity and the desire for change. However, the following lines about the "tics & tocs & clicks of clocks" suggest a resignation to the fact that this may just be a passing phase of life, and that perhaps the pressure to conform to societal norms and expectations is just an illusion.
The lyrics continue to explore the idea that the constant noise and distractions of everyday life are preventing the singer from forming coherent thoughts, but at the same time, they are also eating away at any potential for restful sleep or inner peace. The verses are littered with emotive and poignant lines, such as "none of the girls seem to think you're cool, probably because you smell bad," which reveal a deep sense of insecurity and self-doubt.
The chorus juxtaposes the chaotic thoughts and insecurities of the verses with the singer's desire for comfort and reassurance, asking "why can't you tell me what I wanna hear, to help me get some rest, oh my darling dear?" The song ends with a glimmer of hope and determination as the singer declares "we're going to make plans, we have plans to make plans, we're going to do it right, we've locked it in our sights." It suggests that even in the midst of insecurity and doubt, there is a persistent drive to move forward and find a sense of purpose and clarity.
Line by Line Meaning
& I'm frustrated with myself
I am feeling unhappy with my own actions and decisions
But I can't change
However, I am unable to transform
I don't want to be me anymore
I desire to be someone different from what I currently am
& All of the tics & tocs & clicks of clocks
The sounds of passing time
That tell the time tell me this is just a phase
The aforementioned sounds make me believe that my feelings are temporary
& Everything every day That's been scraping away At the side of my brain
The daily struggles that are causing me stress and anxiety
Can't come to form a thought except...
I am unable to focus or concentrate
& All the thoughts I think I've saved Here for days that remain Just keep eating away
The thoughts I have been holding onto are causing me distress
& I still can't sleep sing...
I am unable to rest or relax
Why can't you tell me what I wanna hear To help me get some rest Oh my darling dear?
I am seeking comfort and assurance from a loved one for peace of mind
The songs of the birds Don't bring calmness no more Oh no, no they don't sing
Even the sounds of nature do not bring any peace or comfort
& None of the girls seem to think you're cool It's probably because you smell bad
Others may not find me attractive because of how I smell
A skin disease won't get you Nowhere these days It's true, it's sad but true
Having a skin disease may be a hindrance to finding a romantic partner
& Everything every day That's been scraping away At the side of my brain
The daily struggles that are causing me stress and anxiety
Can't come to form a thought except...
I am unable to focus or concentrate
& All of the thoughts I think I've saved Here for days that remain Just keep eating away
The thoughts I have been holding onto are causing me distress
& I still can't sleep I sing...
I am unable to rest or relax
We're going to make plans We have plans to make plans We're going to do it right We've locked it in our sights I'll la-dee-da & they can dum-dee-day We'll tra-la-la all night and day we'll go far
We are determined to succeed and are optimistic about the future
& If I write enough & think about it it'll happen It's not as tough as mom said As it so happens
By focusing and working hard, I believe success is possible
Your analyst lied to you when She told you the truth About boys, fear, open sores & Things that are simple Like opening doors
Others may give advice that is not actually helpful or accurate
& All the thoughts I think I've saved here For days that remain Just eat eat eat away & I still can't sleep/sing
The thoughts I have been holding onto are causing me distress, and I am unable to relax
Contributed by Brody G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@user-ku7fr1ow4h
[LYRICS]
And I'm frustrated with myself
But I can't change
I don't want to be me anymore
And all of the tics & tocs & clicks of clocks
That tell the time tell me this is just a phase
And everything every day
That's been scraping away
At the side of my brain
Can't come to form a thought, except...
And all the thoughts I think I've saved
Here for days that remain
Just keep eating away
And I still can't sleep, sing...
Why can't you tell me what I wanna hear
To help me get some rest
Oh my darling dear?
The songs of the birds
Don't bring me calmness no more
Oh no, no they don't sing
And none of the girls seem to think you're cool
It's probably because you smell bad
A skin disease won't get you
Nowhere these days
It's true, it's sad but true
And everything every day
That's been scraping away
At the side of my brain
Can't come to form a thought
And all of the thoughts I think I've saved
Here for days that remain
Just keep eating away
And I still can't sleep I sing...
We're going to make plans
We have plans to make plans
We're going to do it right
We've locked it in our sights
I'll la-dee-da & they can dum-dee-day
We'll tra-la-la all night and day we'll go far
And if I write enough
And think about it it'll happen
It's not as tough as mom said
As it so happens
Your analyst lied to you when
She told you the truth
About boys, fear, open sores
And things that are simple
Like opening doors
And all the thoughts I think I've saved here
For days that remain
Just eat eat eat away
And I still can't sleep, sing...
@HairyVR
One of the most underrated Bands. this album is a 10/10
@zabrizzL
yes thank you I agree
@VKA00376
Right? Every song hits.
@noble394
A perfect album 10/10
@chadillak
After 8 years, very few songs come close to rivaling the energy and pure musicianship recorded on this track. An absolutely mind-blowing performance by BR.
@Trizzyboi123
easily the most refreshing sound I've heard in a while 🙌
@MelO-bh6rt
this song is like everything i’m going through rn. quarantine was really tough and i drifted away from a lot of friends. and it’s just a sort of am in a state of optimistic loneliness thinking it’ll be okay and that we’ll make plans. this song has rlly been helping me sort out my emotions
@frenchdontspeakenglish622
Barnacle Goose : a song with a non classical structure, which remains in the lead and that makes you want to sing. That's very rare to put together these three points that's why I consider this song as the best of this century !
@gainzbrah726
Great song, on a vibe listening journey to better know what my girl loves to listen to. It’s helped me see things you can’t really see with your eyes. About her
@alexnaz5977
Is this a perfect album?
Answer:Yes!