Reasons Why
Brand New Immortals Lyrics
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How bad it rots out your teeth
Until he takes a bite of your cake
All plastic and fake, and spoiled underneath
Stick figure: "Man With No Backbone"
Your brand new favorite toy
You'll teach but he'll never learn
And that brings you joy untold
Never grows old
Never gives out
Never goes by
Joy, you'll never hold
Don't even try
Cause it'll change with the seasons
And you'll be the reason why
Your halo is held on with duct tape
From taxed luck and gravity
Your wings are tattered to match
You're easy to catch
But harder to keep like joy
(chorus)
You say everything that he wants to hear
Shiny, empty, vapid and insincere
You take every liberty you can see
Til he's only left with the urge to flee
And I slip right through your grip and run just like joy
"Reasons Why" by Brand New Immortals is a poignant song about the perils of being phony while being in a relationship. At the outset of the song, the singer warns about how sweet talk may work until the partner realizes that they have got bad teeth, alluding to the shallow nature of relationships based on superficial facades. Gradually, the lyrics delve into how a lopsided relationship based on tricks and one-upmanship would never foster joy, love, or affection. The song aptly points out how the rush of joy is not eternal, and the facade-based relationship of convenience would only leave you hollow and joyless in the end. The chorus has a cautionary tale, asking the person not to expect joy from such arrangements, as they only change with the seasons, and you would be the reason why.
The second verse of the song points out how the person may be trying to replace their naturally occurring traits with something that is empty and vapid, akin to plastic and spoiled cake under the icing. The person's halo may be held with duct tape, indicative of how this artificial relationship is bound to fail if put to the test. The last few lines of the verse allude to how this false sense of joy may be easier to catch but harder to keep, which is a poignant observation on the inherently flawed nature of such toxic relationships. In conclusion, the song speaks of the repercussions of embracing a facade by being true to oneself, owning one's vulnerabilities, and nurturing healthy relationships based on mutual trust and respect.
Line by Line Meaning
Sweet talk will work til he finds out
Using flattery and compliments may be effective for a short time, but it won't last forever.
How bad it rots out your teeth
Sweet talk is like candy, it may taste good but it can have negative effects.
Until he takes a bite of your cake
Until someone gets to know the real you, they may be fooled by your façade.
All plastic and fake, and spoiled underneath
You may seem perfect on the outside, but on the inside, you have flaws and imperfections.
Stick figure: "Man With No Backbone"
Describing someone as having no backbone means they lack courage and strength.
Your brand new favorite toy
You may see this person as an object to play with or manipulate.
You'll teach but he'll never learn
You may try to control this person, but they will never truly understand or change for you.
You scream, he squirms
You may try to dominate or intimidate this person, but it only makes them uncomfortable.
And that brings you joy untold
Seeing this person fearful or helpless brings you pleasure and satisfaction.
Never grows old
The feeling of power and control you have over this person never fades.
Never gives out
Your desire for power and control will never diminish.
Never goes by
You will never tire of this game or lose interest in manipulating this person.
Joy, you'll never hold
True joy cannot be found through manipulating and controlling others.
Don't even try
You should not attempt to find joy through these means.
Cause it'll change with the seasons
Material pleasures and superficial happiness are fleeting and temporary.
And you'll be the reason why
You are the one creating this fake joy and causing it to disappear.
Your halo is held on with duct tape
You may try to appear angelic or divine, but the reality is held together with lies and deceit.
From taxed luck and gravity
Your attempts to create an illusion of perfection are being pulled down by the harsh realities of life.
Your wings are tattered to match
Your image of power and control is also damaged and weakened.
You're easy to catch
Others can see through your façade and see your true motives and intentions.
But harder to keep like joy
People may be initially interested in you, but true connections are difficult to form when based on manipulation.
You say everything that he wants to hear
You use flattery and deception to keep this person under your control.
Shiny, empty, vapid and insincere
Your words and promises are not genuine and have no substance.
You take every liberty you can see
You take advantage of this person's weaknesses and insecurities to assert your dominance.
Til he's only left with the urge to flee
This person realizes your true motives and seeks to escape your control.
And I slip right through your grip and run just like joy
Like true joy, this person cannot be held down or controlled by you forever and will eventually break free.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: BRENDAN O'BRIEN, DAVID RYAN HARRIS, JOHNNY COLT, KENNY D. CRESSWELL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind