Mixtape
Brand New Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

I got a twenty-dollar bill
That says no one's ever seen you without makeup.
You're always made up.
And I'm sick of your tattoos
and the way you always criticize the Smiths.
and Morrissey.

And I know that you're a sucker for anything acoustic.
But when I say let's keep in touch,
I really mean I wish that you'd grow up.
This is the first song for your mix tape.
It's short just like your temper,
But somewhat golden like the afternoons
We used to spend before you got too cool.

I got a twenty-dollar bill
that says no one's ever seen you without makeup.
You're always made up.
And I'm sick of your tattoos
And the way you don't appreciate Brand New
And me.

And I know that you're a sucker for anything acoustic.
But when I say let's keep in touch,
I hope you know I mean I wish that you'd grow up
This is the first song for your mix tape
And it's short just like your temper
But somewhat golden like the afternoons
We used to spend before you got too cool.





Yeah, but I wish you were my shadow (repeat 4x)

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Brand New's song Mixtape speaks about a former lover who the singer wants to let go of. The singer emphasizes how the woman always seems to be wearing makeup and is critical of others, particularly alternative musicians The Smiths and Morrissey. The singer implies that the woman is not genuine and possibly even fake. The singer then reflects on how the woman has a weak spot for acoustic music, but also that he wishes she would mature and grow up.


The song's refrain talks about how he wants the woman to be his shadow. This line is particularly interesting as he is referencing something that usually follows or mimics the actions of another. In this context, it could suggest that he wants to keep tabs on the woman, but also that he is struggling to let go of her.


The song's title "Mixtape" is a throwback to when people would create playlists from cassettes or CDs to share with others. It was a way to express oneself and a way to showcase their music taste. With this in mind, the song could be interpreted as the singer's way of sending a message to the woman through song. The short and somewhat melancholy tune mirrors his emotionally withdrawn character, and the fact that it is the "first song" on the "mixtape" adds to the overall implications of the song.


Line by Line Meaning

I got a twenty-dollar bill
I am confident enough to bet that no one has ever seen you without makeup


That says no one's ever seen you without makeup.
You always wear makeup and never allow anyone to see your bare face.


You're always made up.
You always wear makeup and never allow anyone to see your bare face.


And I'm sick of your tattoos
I'm tired of looking at your tattoos


and the way you always criticize the Smiths.
I'm tired of hearing you criticize the Smiths


and Morrissey.
And Morrissey too.


And I know that you're a sucker for anything acoustic.
I understand that you really like acoustic music


But when I say let's keep in touch,
When I say we should keep in touch,


I really mean I wish that you'd grow up.
What I really mean is that I hope you mature.


This is the first song for your mix tape.
This is the first song for the mixtape you are making.


It's short just like your temper,
It's brief, much like your temper.


But somewhat golden like the afternoons
However, it is a little bit special and reminiscent of the good times


We used to spend before you got too cool.
We used to have such good times together before you changed.


Yeah, but I wish you were my shadow (repeat 4x)
I sincerely wish that you were always with me, following me around like a shadow.




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BRIAN LANE, GARRETT TIERNEY, JESSE LACEY, VINCENT ACCARDI

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

Tim luke

I got a twenty-dollar bill
That says no one's ever seen you without makeup.
You're always made up.
And I'm sick of your tattoos
and the way you always criticize the Smiths.
and Morrissey.

And I know that you're a sucker for anything acoustic.
But when I say let's keep in touch,
I really mean I wish that you'd grow up.
This is the first song for your mix tape.
It's short just like your temper,
But somewhat golden like the afternoons
We used to spend before you got too cool.

I got a twenty-dollar bill
that says no one's ever seen you without makeup.
You're always made up.
And I'm sick of your tattoos
And the way you don't appreciate Brand New
And me.

And I know that you're a sucker for anything acoustic.
But when I say let's keep in touch,
I hope you know I mean I wish that you'd grow up
This is the first song for your mix tape
And it's short just like your temper
But somewhat golden like the afternoons
We used to spend before you got too cool.

Yeah, but I wish you were my shadow (repeat 4x)



All comments from YouTube:

Divya Tekwani

This song will always be one of those songs that literally takes you back to naive times but in a nice way

Aaron Murphy

Yes, this. So many dumb decisions i made, and i wouldn't change one of them.

beata sienkiewicz

I used to listen to this when I was angsty and young and I still feel compelled to listen to it every few years although my music taste has changed a lot. This type of music will always have a place in my heart, blah blah blah

Tyson Jones

Ahhhhhh Nostalgia, it's good to see everyone didnt "Get too cool" cheers

Paul Payne

Yep place in my heart too - as long as people still criticise The Smiths... and Morrissey

meister_pancake

Couldn't have put it better myself

Christy Johnson

💗

songsthatarecatchy

They evolved. But still this is punk and attitude. And dammit even as adults sometimes we need to rebel.

2 More Replies...

Huskerdude 27

As a long islander, and a major Brand New fan... I find this to be one of my favorite albums. Brand New is great and they have many phenomenal albums, but this album summed up my entire youth and was loved by everyone I grew up with. Its incredible, maybe more simplistic than the later works of the band but definitely amazing.

MM Sizzlak

Holy crap you do EXIST! I thought it was alone...I have NEVER met another person whose favorite album was this one... It's mine... When I hear this album, my youth comes back to me so vividly it's damn near embarrassing to realize I felt so deeply about something that, in the grand scheme of things, was miniscule and just another part of life...but I can recall moronic, sophomoric bullshit I used to put myself and others through... I had never known such lows, I'd never endured such crippling highs as I did then... All while this played--loudly with subs and the whole 9 yards and buffered so it wouldn't skip--in the background... My sister hates this album and could not stand this song due to it being played whenever I was in that mood, which was often... In the diner that is my life I hung out and ate my fill...I was stupid, emotional, childish and it took a piece of me but man I lived it so I don't take it personal

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