Thirteen
Bowling for Soup Lyrics


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Pinch my arm because I'm dreamin'
Better get me out of here
Once again my head is screamin'
Gotta get her off my mind

She's stayin'
And I'm prayin'
That she doesn't know what's on my mind
When she's around
She's stayin'
Complaining
Cause she doesn't know what's on my mind
When she's around

Suddenly I've got this feeling
I can't stop it anymore
Wake me again I'm dreamin'
Gotta get this off my mind

She's stayin'
And I'm prayin'
That she doesn't know what's on my mind
When she's around
She's stayin'
Complaining
Cause she doesn't know what's on my mind
When she's around

Pinch my arm because I'm dreamin'
Better get me out of here
Once again my head is screamin'
Gotta get her off my mind

She's stayin'
And I'm prayin'
That she doesn't know what's on my mind
When she's around
She's stayin'
Complaining




Cause she doesn't know what's on my mind
When she's around

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Bowling for Soup's song "Thirteen" revolve around the theme of unrequited love. The singer is clearly infatuated with someone who doesn't seem to feel the same way, and he's struggling to get her off his mind. The opening lines, "Pinch my arm because I'm dreamin', better get me out of here, once again my head is screamin'," suggest that he's in a state of disbelief or shock, like he can't believe this is happening.


The singer's thoughts turn immediately to the girl he's pining over. He's hoping that she doesn't know how he feels, but he also seems frustrated that she doesn't seem to be picking up on his signals. He's praying that he can keep his emotions under wraps when she's around, but he's also annoyed that he has to put up this front. The lines, "She's stayin' and I'm prayin', that she doesn't know what's on my mind when she's around, she's stayin', complaining, 'cause she doesn't know what's on my mind when she's around," illustrate this conflict.


Towards the end of the song, the singer seems to realize that he can't keep his feelings bottled up forever. He's got this feeling that he can't ignore anymore, and he's desperate to find a way to express himself. The repetition of the lines, "Wake me again, I'm dreamin', gotta get this off my mind" suggests that he's stuck in this cycle of yearning and hoping, but he's not sure how to break out of it.


Overall, "Thirteen" is a heartfelt and relatable song about the pain of unrequited love. It captures the frustration and confusion that often come with feeling drawn to someone who doesn't feel the same way.


Line by Line Meaning

Pinch my arm because I'm dreamin'
I am hoping that this situation is not real


Better get me out of here
I need a way out of my current situation


Once again my head is screamin'
I am obsessing and cannot stop thinking


Gotta get her off my mind
I need to stop thinking about this person


She's stayin'
The person I am thinking about is present


And I'm prayin'
I am hoping that they do not know my true feelings


That she doesn't know what's on my mind
I do not want this person to know how I feel


When she's around
My feelings are strongest when in their presence


Complaining
I am frustrated with my situation


Cause she doesn't know what's on my mind
I am afraid of being rejected


Suddenly I've got this feeling
My emotions are overwhelming me


I can't stop it anymore
I am unable to control my feelings


Wake me again I'm dreamin'
I am hoping to wake up from this reality




Contributed by Charlie R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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