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.
I Need a Life
Born Ruffians Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
So come help me up
& Stumbling around
Trying to fill my cup
It's half empty
Been that way all my life
So come pour some in
& Take me out tonight
The sun is shining but we stay inside
Oh but we go out at night
We stay in looking for a better life
Oh but we go out at night
We put up curtains, block out the light
Oh but we go out at night
& We stay in bed until we feel all right
Oh but we go out at night
I need meaning
I need a mission
I need a path
I need conviction
I need a life I've never had
I need much more good & much less bad
The sun is shining but we stay inside
Oh but we go out at night
We stay in looking for a better life
Oh but we go out at night
We put up curtains, block out the light
Oh but we go out at night
& We stay in bed until we feel all right
Oh but we go out at night
I found meaning
I found a mission
I found a lord
I found religion
I found something I never had
I'm not sure what but it's not half bad
& I'm glad
I'm so, so glad
Those party habits are gone & dead
I'm turning in my old sinful ways
For a dull new life so I can pray, pray, pray
The sun is shining but we stay inside
Oh but we go out at night
We stay in looking for a better life
Oh but we go out at night
We put up curtains, block out the light
Oh but we go out at night
& We stay in bed until we feel all right
Oh but we go out at night
I need a life
I've never had
I need so much more good, lord
& much less bad
The lyrics of Born Ruffians' song "I Need a Life" depict a struggle for purpose, direction, and fulfillment. The singer acknowledges their current state of dissatisfaction and seeks a change by asking for help: "I'm looking down, so come help me up." The metaphor of the cup being half empty represents the singer's negative outlook on life. They ask someone to help fill the cup to provide a better experience. The verses describe the dichotomy of staying inside versus going out at night, implying that the singer is stuck, trapped inside their own mind, yet desires to experience something beyond what they have at present. As the song progresses, the singer finds purpose through religion: "I found a lord, I found religion. I found something I never had. I'm not sure what but it's not half bad." The final plea to have "a life I've never had" highlights the singer's need for a significant change in their current situation to find fulfillment.
Overall, the song reflects on the longing for growth, purpose, and contentment. The singer seeks to fill a void they have experienced throughout their life. The song's tone is hopeful and uplifting as the singer reaches for change and something beyond what he's known.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm looking down
I'm feeling low and down on myself
So come help me up
I need someone to lift me up and help me feel better
& Stumbling around
I'm aimlessly wandering and unsure of what to do
Trying to fill my cup
I'm trying to fill the void within me and find happiness
It's half empty
I feel like something is missing in my life
Been that way all my life
I've always felt this way and can't seem to shake it
So come pour some in
I need someone or something to fill the emptiness in my life
& Take me out tonight
Let's go out and have fun, maybe that will help me feel better
I need meaning
I need to feel like my life has purpose and significance
I need a mission
I need something to work towards and aspire to
I need a path
I need direction and guidance in my life
I need conviction
I need unwavering belief in something to hold onto
I need a life I've never had
I need a completely new and different life that is fulfilling and satisfying
I need much more good & much less bad
I need positivity and happiness in my life, and less negativity and sadness
I found meaning
I have finally found purpose and significance in my life
I found a mission
I have something to work towards and aspire to
I found a lord
I have found faith and spirituality in a higher power
I found religion
I have found a set of beliefs and practices to follow
I found something I never had
I have found a new life that is completely different from my past
I'm not sure what but it's not half bad
I'm not exactly sure what I've found, but it seems to be a positive change in my life
& I'm glad
I'm happy with the new direction my life is taking
Those party habits are gone & dead
I have given up my old vices and destructive habits
I'm turning in my old sinful ways
I'm making a conscious effort to change and live a more virtuous life
For a dull new life so I can pray, pray, pray
I'm choosing a life of faith and spirituality, even if it's not as exciting or adventurous
I need a life
I still feel like something is missing in my life
I've never had
I still haven't found the life I'm looking for
I need so much more good, lord
I need even more positivity and happiness in my life
& much less bad
I need less negativity and sadness in my life
Contributed by Jacob O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
potassium49
I'm looking down
So come help me up
& Stumbling around
Trying to fill my cup
It's half empty
Been that way all my life
So come pour some in
& Take me out tonight
The sun is shining but we stay inside
Oh but we go out at night
We stay in looking for a better life
Oh but we go out at night
We put up curtains, block out the light
Oh but we go out at night
& We stay in bed until we feel all right
Oh but we go out at night
I need meaning
I need a mission
I need a path
I need conviction
I need a life I've never had
I need much more good & much less bad
The sun is shining but we stay inside
Oh but we go out at night
We stay in looking for a better life
Oh but we go out at night
We put up curtains, block out the light
Oh but we go out at night
& We stay in bed until we feel all right
Oh but we go out at night
I found meaning
I found a mission
I found a lord
I found religion
I found something I never had
I'm not sure what but it's not half bad
& I'm glad
I'm so, so glad
Those party habits are gone & dead
I'm turning in my old sinful ways
For a dull new life so I can pray, pray, pray
The sun is shining but we stay inside
Oh but we go out at night
We stay in looking for a better life
Oh but we go out at night
We put up curtains, block out the light
Oh but we go out at night
& We stay in bed until we feel all right
Oh but we go out at night
I need a life
I've never had
I need so much more good, lord
& much less bad
E R
its 2022 and im still looooving this song ❤✨
Darren Tan
Missed this band so much
It’s like finding my way home
polaropposites96
i discovered born ruffians last month and i couldn't be more pleased with the entirety of their album. incredible.
Samuel Powell
they have such a great call and response, its just made for chanting along, cant believe this is 12 years old now, my friend and I used to listen to this all the time in Canada, takes me back, the lyrics still have so much meaning to me, its a very special connection when music can flood you with memories, I wanna throw my friend some love as he's a music producer now and has just released a new track, please try searching Lonely Gimmick - Blue Ticked Influencer, you may be in for a surprise and he would love to hear your opinion
AmbiEO!
Their entire first album should’ve blown up way more than it did. Especially at the time. Though mid to late 2000s were an explosion for the alternative rock genre in popularity. It’s a crime the band didn’t become more featured.
Noble
I agree 100% it’s a shame there arent a lot of live performances of this album or music videos online
Sepo
The Born Ruffians deserve so much more credit than they are given
Brielle Haller
This has been one of my go to favorite jams for quite a few years, through times high and low. Thank you. You have no idea how many drunk dances I have made up to this song. It's the best, among others, obvi.
doors1010
these guys are so good live
Gordon Hagen
this song is WAY WAY WAY better live. and its still AMAZING. these guys are great! i went to school with one of them and am only getting into them now that i saw them open for Franz Ferdinand