Potential
Casey Bolles Lyrics


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I built myself up from broken parts
but an autoclave is a good place to start
the more I write, the more I feel like a fraud:
playing with fire, not praying to a god

They say hell is a place where the devil makes
something you love into something you hate
but I have grown happy in ruts of repetitive shame

But I've got good bones

I tore myself down into broken parts,
this well-oiled machine was a good place to start:
pep-talks wasted in prep school --
that ego-stroking cesspool

left me with spit-shine on these new shoes,
I never wore them right so I sing my blues:
Security is expensive,
Im on a conveyer belt to a life I don't want to live:

"Bootstraps," "the American dream,"
Well I've spent enough time with gravel in my knees
to know these streets aren't gold
they're asphalt and concrete

Your suffering is not unique,
trade comfort for sweat and trade blood in for ink
I've got good bones

Aesthetically, I cannot compete
My muscles have near atrophied
But I've got good bones





Potential

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Casey Bolles's song, Potential, describe a person who has built themselves up from broken parts but is still struggling with the feeling of being a fraud. The first verse refers to an autoclave, which is a device used to sterilize equipment, and highlights the idea of starting fresh and building oneself up. Despite this, the person feels like they are playing with fire and not praying to a god, which could suggest a lack of guidance or direction in their life.


The second verse talks about how the person has torn themselves down into broken parts but still managed to create a well-oiled machine to start again. They mention that their time in prep school was wasted on ego-stroking and that it left them feeling empty. The line "security is expensive" suggests that the person is sacrificing their happiness for the sake of stability.


The chorus repeats the phrase "I've got good bones" which can be seen as a metaphor for inherent strength and resilience. The bridge of the song mentions the American dream and how the streets aren't gold but are made of asphalt and concrete. This further emphasizes the idea that the person has come to realize that material possessions and success aren't everything.


Line by Line Meaning

I built myself up from broken parts
I rebuilt myself despite the damage


but an autoclave is a good place to start
but it takes heat and pressure to get there


the more I write, the more I feel like a fraud:
the more I create, the more I feel like a liar


playing with fire, not praying to a god
risking everything, rather than relying on a higher power


They say hell is a place where the devil makes
People say Hell is a place where demons eat at your soul


something you love into something you hate
Turning the things you love into the things you hate most of all


but I have grown happy in ruts of repetitive shame
I have found peace in the consistency of my sorrows


But I've got good bones
I may feel incomplete, but my foundation is solid


I tore myself down into broken parts,
I broke apart completely


this well-oiled machine was a good place to start:
this broken person only has up to go


pep-talks wasted in prep school --
encouragement gone to waste in an oppressive system


that ego-stroking cesspool
the toxic environment focusing on only one's ego


left me with spit-shine on these new shoes,
leaving me polished and false


I never wore them right so I sing my blues:
I never had the right reasons for being polished


Security is expensive,
Success has a high price


Im on a conveyer belt to a life I don't want to live:
I am on a path I do not want to take


"Bootstraps," "the American dream,"
The idea of achieving great things through hard work and motivation


Well I've spent enough time with gravel in my knees
I have undergone enough hardship


to know these streets aren't gold
to understand that not everything glitters


they're asphalt and concrete
they are unforgiving and unrelenting


Your suffering is not unique,
You are not alone in your struggles


trade comfort for sweat and trade blood in for ink
Give up ease for hard work and give up life for art


I've got good bones
I am only just beginning, but my foundation is solid


Potential
There is hope for growth and success in the future




Contributed by David F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Comments from YouTube:

@tylergarbage7971

I came back to listen to this after 6 years
Feels like it was yesterday

@21anchorman

saw this kid live, gotta say he always had a smile on his face, hes got a good heart. good sound too

@mushtaqsamim98

+21anchorman and good bones too?

@stevenragsdale6962

Saw him live a couple of days ago. He is amazing, puts so much passion in his live performances. He has a huge future.

@holdenhorvath1143

I get this "Say Anything/ The Spill Canvas" vibe from this guy. I love it, honestly. Gem for sure.

@coffeeshoplovers

Definitely has that old Say Anything vibe 👌🏼

@kiemp234

So slept on

@bagasasfriansyahpratama5015

LOVE the raw voice. Can't wait for another stuff

@dupbr13

I want more of this guy, awesome.

@BennyC023

This dude is too good to only have 6k views on his most popular video

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