Paleontology
Bowling Shoes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
That I will never be like you
Just me
Won′t ever be
A professor of paleontology
If I
Get so behind
I don't have a scientific mind
But I don′t and I won't ever
Be as quick or as clever
Want the honor
Wish I was stronger
Like him, like him
But I don't think I′ll get to that
I′ll be slightly anxious
A tad a bit cantankerous
Poison my relationships
Is that what I wanted
I'm sorry I even have to say this
This school of thought is not for me
And that′s weighing down on me
Wish I could maintain a little patience
It's far too late for me to be
The fossil MVP
Lost myself in a sea of doubt
Ill turn the lights
I wanna get out
I don′t know how
Lose myself in a sea of doubt
I wanna get out
I don't know how
Wish I was a scientist
I′m sorry I even have to say this
This school of thought is not for me
And that's weighing down on me
Wish I could maintain a little patience
It's far too late for me to be
The fossil MVP
Feeling sorry
Should I be sorry
I wanna know should I be sorry to you
I was anxious
Far too damn cantankerous
Should I be sorry to you
In "Paleontology," Bowling Shoes expresses the internal struggle of feeling inadequate and not living up to the expectations set upon them. The lyrics repeatedly express the desire to be like someone else, specifically a professor of paleontology, but the realization that they do not have the same level of intelligence or abilities. This leads to a sense of defeat and depression, highlighted by the line "Lost myself in a sea of doubt, I want to get out, I don't know how." The singer reflects on how these feelings have affected their relationships, poisoning them, and causing them to question whether this is what they actually wanted.
The song challenges the idea that everyone is meant for the same path and that not being able to achieve success in a specific area should not be a source of shame. The line "This school of thought is not for me, and that's weighing down on me" exemplifies this point. It's okay to recognize your limitations and to explore different paths that will make you feel more fulfilled.
Overall, "Paleontology" is a relatable and emotional song that showcases the struggle of not living up to societal expectations and coming to terms with finding a new path.
Line by Line Meaning
Its become so clear to me
I have finally realized
That I will never be like you
I have come to terms that I will never be like someone else
Just me
I am simply myself
Won′t ever be
I know I will not become
A professor of paleontology
An expert in the study of fossils
If I
In the event that I
Get so behind
Fall behind in my studies
I don't have a scientific mind
I lack the necessary intellectual capacity
Wish I did
I wish that I possessed
But I don′t and I won't ever
But I do not and I never will
Be as quick or as clever
Be as fast or intelligent
Want the honor
Desire the recognition
Wish I was stronger
Desire to possess greater strength
Like him, like him
Similar to someone else
But I don't think I′ll get to that
I doubt I will achieve that level
I′ll be slightly anxious
I will feel somewhat nervous
A tad a bit cantankerous
A little bit grumpy
Poison my relationships
Cause problems in my personal relationships
Is that what I wanted
Did I intend for that to happen?
I'm sorry I even have to say this
I am apologetic about expressing this sentiment
This school of thought is not for me
This type of thinking is not suitable for me
And that′s weighing down on me
And that feeling is causing me distress
Wish I could maintain a little patience
I wish I possessed more patience
It's far too late for me to be
It is too late for me to become
The fossil MVP
The best in the field of paleontology
Lost myself in a sea of doubt
I am overwhelmed by uncertainty
Ill turn the lights
I will try to change the situation
I wanna get out
I want to escape my current situation
I don′t know how
I am unsure how to go about it
Wish I was a scientist
I desire to be a scientist in this particular field
Feeling sorry
Feeling regretful
Should I be sorry
Is it appropriate for me to be apologetic
I wanna know should I be sorry to you
I am asking if I should apologize to you
Far too damn cantankerous
Very grumpy
Writer(s): Tom Meyer, Ben Walker, Sam Nazaretian, Jeremiah Bermel, Jake Lutter
Contributed by Jordyn B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.