Dear John
Buck Lyrics


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I, I am unfrail; catch you by the tail
I'll put a letter in the mail that says "dear john"

I could care less about your happiness
You made this bed, you made this mess so lap it up

Down in the hollow witching for water, I cussed and I cussed but it didn't help a bit
You, you walk around just like you own this town
Well, I hate to let you down but you're extinct

You do what you can; take it like a man
Another chip upon your shoulder, son of a gun

Down in the hollow witching for water, I cussed and I cussed but it didn't help a bit

The one who got away, the one who wouldn't say "daddy do it to me one more time!"
The one who lived to tell, the one who broke your spell
It's all just smoke and mirrors, monkeyshine

Down in the hollow witching for water, I cussed and I cussed but it
Didn't help a bit





Dear john

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Buck's song "Dear John" depict a narrator who is seeking revenge against someone who was once significant in their life, most likely a former lover or friend. The singer starts by declaring that they are strong enough to catch the other person by the tail, implying that they are not easily manipulated. They then state that they will send a letter to the other person that simply says "Dear John," a clear reference to the commonly used phrase in breakup letters.


The singer then reveals their lack of concern for the other person's happiness and blames them for the difficult situation they are currently in. The line "You made this bed, you made this mess so lap it up" suggests that the other person has brought their current troubles on themselves. The chorus of the song features the singer expressing anger towards the other person, saying that they have a sense of entitlement and that they are no longer relevant ("you're extinct").


The verse about "witching for water" suggests that the singer is currently in a difficult situation and is struggling to find a way out. The final verse includes references to someone who "wouldn't say 'daddy do it to me one more time'" and someone who "broke your spell," which implies that the other person had a hold on the singer in some way. Despite this, the singer realizes that it was all just an illusion ("smoke and mirrors, monkeyshine"). The song closes with the singer repeating the phrase "Dear John," emphasizing the finality and closure of their decision to move on.


Line by Line Meaning

I, I am unfrail; catch you by the tail
I am strong and capable, and I will catch you in your deceit


I'll put a letter in the mail that says "dear john"
I will end our relationship and communicate it through a letter


I could care less about your happiness
Your happiness is not my concern or priority


You made this bed, you made this mess so lap it up
You are responsible for the consequences of your actions, so deal with it


Down in the hollow witching for water, I cussed and I cussed but it didn't help a bit
I tried desperately to find a solution to our problems, but it was futile


You, you walk around just like you own this town
You exude arrogance and entitlement


Well, I hate to let you down but you're extinct
Your dominance and power are fading away


You do what you can; take it like a man
Accept your hardships and challenges, and deal with them maturely


Another chip upon your shoulder, son of a gun
You continue to carry your baggage and grudges, and it's holding you back


The one who got away, the one who wouldn't say "daddy do it to me one more time!"
You lost someone important, who refused to submit to your authority


The one who lived to tell, the one who broke your spell
Someone defied your manipulation and escaped your grasp


It's all just smoke and mirrors, monkeyshine
Your tactics and illusions are meaningless and ineffective


Dear john
Goodbye and farewell




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS

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