Vices
Brand New Lyrics


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Far away from any road
Froze my heart in solitude
Where your passerby can see
Our life's highway guard within
Knowing when our last does fail
Thy compassion shall prevail
Father with thee, let me be
On life's highway, God with thee

We need vices
We need vices
Where's all my hope and my marriage license? (Where's my hay?)

Those days are dead (forgive me)
Those days are dead (forgive me)
Those days are dead (forgive me)
We need vices at fifteen thousand degrees

She said goodbye to the ground she said goodbye to the ground
She said goodbye to the ground
And jumped

Our good Creator (oh no)
The dog in the manger
Where is my shrink and my mind's eraser? (we sing a sad song)

That forest burned (do you see smoke?)
That forest burned (a halo)
That forest burned
We need ten years on rewind so we can return

She said goodbye to the ground she said goodbye to the ground
She said goodbye to the ground she said goodbye to the ground
She said goodbye to the ground
And jumped

We need vices
We need vices
We have neither the plans nor disguises

Those days are dead (forgive me)
Those days are dead (forgive me)
Those days are dead (forgive me)
We need vices and wheels to the funeral gate

She said goodbye to the ground she said goodbye to the ground




She said goodbye to the ground
And jumped

Overall Meaning

In "Vices" by Brand New, Jesse Lacey sings about the need for vices in life. He describes a place secluded from the world where he's frozen in solitude, and his passenger can see their life's highway guard within. He mentions that when someone's last try fails, thy compassion (presumably God's compassion) shall prevail. Lacey asks Father to let him be on life's highway with God. The verses are melancholic and speak of loss and pain, suggesting that vices, such as alcohol or drugs, might numb those feelings. He repeats the chorus expressing the need for vices and asks where all his hope and marriage license are. He acknowledges that those days are gone and sings about needing vices at fifteen thousand degrees.


He sings about a forest fire burning, asking if we see smoke, and that they need ten years on rewind to go back. The haunting melody and repetitive lyrics create a sense of desperation and loss that only a nostalgic perspective can bring. The song culminates in a heart-wrenching moment where he describes a person saying goodbye to the ground before they jump. The song captures the pain of loss and the need to numb the hurt through vices.


Line by Line Meaning

Far away from any road
Feeling isolated and disconnected from society.


Froze my heart in solitude
Emotionally hardened due to a lack of human interaction or companionship.


Where your passerby can see
Despite being alone, still in a public or exposed location.


Our life's highway guard within
A protective barrier that shields from external harm or negativity.


Knowing when our last does fail
Aware that personal safety is not guaranteed.


Thy compassion shall prevail
Believing in a higher power that will provide emotional support and understanding.


Father with thee, let me be
Offering oneself to a higher power for guidance and protection.


On life's highway, God with thee
Trusting in a higher power to accompany and guide one's journey throughout life.


We need vices
Acknowledging the need for activities or habits that provide comfort or release from stress.


Where's all my hope and my marriage license? (Where's my hay?)
Questioning the loss of optimism and commitment in one's life.


Those days are dead (forgive me)
Admitting the end of a previous way of life.


We need vices at fifteen thousand degrees
Desiring an intense or extreme form of escapism or pleasure.


She said goodbye to the ground she said goodbye to the ground
A repeated phrasing that follows a woman's tragic suicide.


Our good Creator (oh no)
Expressing disappointment or dissatisfaction with a higher power.


The dog in the manger
Metaphor for someone who selfishly prevents others from enjoying something they cannot or will not utilize themselves.


Where is my shrink and my mind's eraser? (we sing a sad song)
Searching for a means of mental relief or escape.


That forest burned (do you see smoke?)
Referencing a natural disaster or traumatic event that has caused significant destruction and chaos.


That forest burned (a halo)
Finding a fleeting, almost religious significance in the destruction.


We need ten years on rewind so we can return
Longing for a chance to undo past mistakes and choices.


We have neither the plans nor disguises
Lacking strategies or methods to cope with life's uncertainties and disappointments.


We need vices and wheels to the funeral gate
Suggesting the need for indulgence and reckless behavior even in the face of death.




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: JESSE LACEY

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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