The Joke
Brandi Carlile Lyrics
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With your quiet voice and impeccable style
Don't ever let them steal your joy
And your gentle ways, to keep 'em from running wild
They can kick dirt in your face
Dress you down, and tell you that your place
Is in the middle, when they hate the way you shine
I see you tugging on your shirt
Let 'em laugh while they can
Let 'em spin, let 'em scatter in the wind
I have been to the movies, I've seen how it ends
And the joke's on them
You get discouraged, don't you, girl?
It's your brother's world for a while longer
We gotta dance with the devil on a river
To beat the stream
Call it living the dream, call it kicking the ladder
They come to kick dirt in your face
To call you weak and then displace you
After carrying your baby on your back across the desert
I saw your eyes behind your hair
And you're looking tired, but you don't look scared
Let 'em laugh while they can
Let 'em spin, let 'em scatter in the wind
I have been to the movies, I've seen how it ends
And the joke's on them
Let 'em laugh while they can
Let 'em spin, let 'em scatter in the wind
I have been to the movies, I've seen how it ends
And the joke's on them
Ooh, ooh
The song "The Joke" by Brandi Carlile is an uplifting anthem about standing up against the bullies and societal norms that seek to keep you down. The opening lines of the song describe a person who is feeling nervous and insecure about their appearance and personality. However, the singer reminds the listener that their gentle nature is not something to be ashamed of, but rather something to be celebrated despite what others may say. Carlile encourages the listener to continue shining, even if others try to quash their spirit or crush their unique and authentic self-expression.
The second verse of the song shifts to address women specifically, acknowledging the additional challenges and pressures they face in a patriarchal world. The line "It's your brother's world for a while longer" specifically refers to the societal expectation of male leadership and dominance, which can make it difficult for women to find their place and achieve success. However, the song asserts that it is possible to persevere and succeed despite the odds, and that even in the darkest moments, the joke is ultimately on those who seek to bring others down.
The chorus of the song, "let 'em laugh while they can, let 'em spin, let 'em scatter in the wind," reinforces the idea that although others may try to tear you down, their power is ultimately limited, and their attempts to bring you low will ultimately only serve to make them look foolish. The repeated refrain "I have been to the movies, I've seen how it ends" suggests that the singer understands the larger patterns of society and how the arc of progress inevitably bends towards justice and empathy.
Overall, "The Joke" is a powerful and uplifting song that encourages listeners to stay true to themselves and keep fighting, even in the face of adversity. It is a reminder that societal norms and expectations are ultimately illusory, and that the true strength comes from embracing one's own unique authenticity and refusing to be silenced or oppressed.
Line by Line Meaning
You're feeling nervous, aren't you, boy?
You're feeling anxious and apprehensive because you're different from the norm, aren't you, boy?
With your quiet voice and impeccable style
You stand out with your soft-spoken voice and unique style because you're not following the crowd.
Don't ever let them steal your joy
Don't ever allow people to rob you of your happiness.
And your gentle ways, to keep 'em from running wild
Your kind and compassionate nature keeps people from going overboard.
They can kick dirt in your face
People can degrade you and humiliate you, but don't let it bring you down.
Dress you down, and tell you that your place
They can belittle you and inform you of your role.
Is in the middle, when they hate the way you shine
They want you to conform to their rules when they're envious of your individuality.
I see you tugging on your shirt
I notice you self-consciously pulling your shirt down.
Trying to hide inside of it and hide how much it hurts
You're attempting to conceal your feelings and how much they're affecting you.
Let 'em laugh while they can
Let them mock and make fun of you for now.
Let 'em spin, let 'em scatter in the wind
Let them spread rumors and cause chaos for now.
I have been to the movies, I've seen how it ends
I've observed how the story usually concludes
And the joke's on them
And the people who mocked and ridiculed you will be the ones who lose in the end.
You get discouraged, don't you, girl?
You feel disheartened, don't you, girl?
It's your brother's world for a while longer
Your brother possesses more privileges and control in the world right now.
We gotta dance with the devil on a river
We have to deal with hardship and difficulty with determination.
To beat the stream
To overcome the obstacles and emerges victorious.
Call it living the dream, call it kicking the ladder
Depending on how you look at it, it might be considered a dream or a refusal to play along.
They come to kick dirt in your face
People come to disgrace you and knock you down.
To call you weak and then displace you
They criticize and dismiss you as feeble, then remove you from your position.
After carrying your baby on your back across the desert
After enduring hardship and suffering, as if you had trekked the desert with a child on your back.
I saw your eyes behind your hair
I noticed your eyes peeking through your hair.
And you're looking tired, but you don't look scared
You appear exhausted, but not frightened.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Brandi M. Carlile, David W. Jr. Cobb, Phillip John Hanseroth, Timothy Jay Hanseroth
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Rock Feed
One of the best live performances in the history of the Grammys.
Jay douglas
@Mike Barer meh. that wasn't that good. I'm just not into Benicio Bryant's style
Bret Kindell
62 years old and gave only missed 1 Grammy ever. this was so powerful. 20 emotions inside me going nuts. ha. oeace
Tricia
Right on Time this year is equally as great. Brandi rarely gives a bad performance 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾💕
marcos chin
yes. easily.
N O
No doubt
yettobseen
I’m 57 soon to be 58. Gay man, and obviously gay from and early age as well. No song has EVER stroked my soul, my very essence as this one. And no matter how many times I hear it I’m left not just in tears but emotionally drained. Something so stunningly beautiful almost make me believe in god. That is a gift that I hope people honestly absorb and face. I know we all walk our own path, but our 🏳️🌈 path has be defined for us to long, which is why this song resonates. Rich or poor black or white and every corner of our earth, our experiences are so similar. I’m so proud of us as a people (because we are a people) we’re on the cusp of our freedom. But there’s still ones that wish bad things, so we go on, and one of our greatest strengths is our perseverance.
Brian O
@Kelly Thornburg exactly the same ❤️
Michael B
@Lawrence C I never let them steal my joy either. But for so many, that's not the case.
yettobseen
@Kelly Vela the greater power that some refer to as god has always been with me and I never have to question or worry. Sadly people can spend their life looking for something that’s been with me from their first breath. It’s unfortunate that most lose that connection because they’re lead astray by others and not listen to their heart.