Th… Read Full Bio ↴Cory Wells is a singer-songwriter from Redondo Beach, California.
The cover of Wells’ debut album, THE WAY WE ARE, features the Los Angeles-based singer/songwriter perched atop a rusted-out vintage car, calling to mind dusty folk music. Songs like the set-opening “Distant” and “Keiko,” imbued by seemingly effortless musicianship and wistful nostalgia, go a long way toward reinforcing this sonic predilection.
But there’s more to Wells than what you’ll find on the surface. The songwriter grew up playing metal before discovering Dashboard Confessional’s seminal MTV Unplugged 2.0 live album, a record that set him on a hard left turn to creating a more well-worn, earnest style. Even so, he injects the desperation and power of his heavy music background into every note of THE WAY WE ARE – not necessarily in sound, but in spirit.
Across the album’s 12 songs, Wells plays the role of shapeshifter: Just when you’ve got him figured out, he unleashes new musical elements – a ferocious scream (“Walk Away”) that eventually gives way to soaring falsetto (“Cement”), stirring acoustic guitar that crescendos into fiery full-band fare. The ghosts of new-era emo torchbearers (including Dashboard’s Chris Carrabba, a contributor on “Fall Apart”) are alive and well in his lush beds of acoustic-based rock, but Wells isn’t actively summoning them. Rather, he’s a decidedly patient songwriter, waiting for the right time to pair a searing lyric with the throat-shredding vocal performance it demands.
Avoid the Blame
Cory Wells Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And I′ll play your game
And my demands for all the trouble that you've caused
Just take my pain right from my veins
And even if you could, you′d probably fake it, just in case
Can't make it any other way
When reflections can be so deceiving
You′ve been dragging me down
And I've been waiting around for
So long
Look at the damage you have done
I bet you think you′ve won
Just say my name
'Cause I played your game
And I did my best
It was just too little and too late
You push me away
It′s just the price I pay
And I can't afford it but I think I′ll try anyway
Can't make it any other way
When reflections can be so deceiving
And I've been drowning here and you′re still breathing
And You′ve been dragging me down
And I've been waiting around for
So long
Look at the damage you have done
You pray for someone else to come along
And I′ve been waiting here safe from her
And I try to promise you that I won't ever fade
And you just ignore my calls
Avoid the blame
(Fuck)
I bet you think you′ve won
And I bet you think you've won
And I bet you think you′ve won
Look at the damage you have done
Fuck
And I bet you think you've won
I bet you think you've won
You′ll be pleased to know you′ve won
In the song "Avoid the Blame" by Cory Wells, the lyrics address relationship troubles and feelings of betrayal. The singer says that if the person they are addressing says their name, they will play their game even though this person has caused them trouble. They ask for the pain to be taken away and acknowledge that even if it is possible, it may be faked. The line "Can't make it any other way" highlights their desperation and willingness to do anything to make things work.
The chorus repeats the phrase "When reflections can be so deceiving" which could be interpreted as questioning whether the reflection of the relationship they had was what it appeared to be. The person they are addressing has been dragging them down and caused damage, but they feel that they've lost and the other person has won. The final line "Avoid the blame" expresses the singer's resignation and acceptance of their fate.
Line by Line Meaning
Say my name
Address me, call me by my name
And I'll play your game
I'll follow your rules or wishes
And my demands for all the trouble that you've caused
Requesting compensation for the problems you have caused
Just take my pain right from my veins
Remove my suffering from deep within me
And even if you could, you'd probably fake it, just in case
Hypothetically, if you could do it, you might pretend or lie about it anyway, as a precaution
Can't make it any other way
Cannot accomplish this goal by any other means
When reflections can be so deceiving
When self-examination or introspection can lead to false conclusions
I've been waiting here and you're still leaving
I have been patiently waiting, but you're still departing or rejecting me
You've been dragging me down
You have been lowering my spirits, causing me distress or hardship
And I've been waiting around for
I have been waiting for an unspecified time period
So long
For a very long time
Look at the damage you have done
Observe the negative effect or harm that you have caused me
I bet you think you've won
I'm sure you believe you have emerged victorious or succeeded
It was just too little and too late
My efforts or actions were insufficient and came too long after the fact
You push me away
You repel or distance me
It's just the price I pay
It's the cost or consequence of my involvement with you
And I can't afford it but I think I'll try anyway
I cannot withstand the expense, but I'll give it a shot regardless
And I've been drowning here and you're still breathing
I have been struggling and suffering while you are unaffected and thriving
You pray for someone else to come along
You hope or beg for another person to appear or replace me
And I try to promise you that I won't ever fade
I attempt to assure you that I will not disappear or become less involved
And you just ignore my calls
You simply overlook or disregard my attempts to communicate
Avoid the blame
Refuse to accept responsibility or fault for the situation
I bet you think you've won
I'm certain you believe you have emerged victorious or succeeded
Fuck
An exclamation of frustration or anger
You'll be pleased to know you've won
You will be happy to learn that you have succeeded or achieved your goal
Writer(s): Cory Wells
Contributed by Keira O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@prabhattiwari7322
Say my name and I'll play your game
And my demands for all the trouble that you've caused
Just take my pain right from my veins
And even if you could, you'd probably fake it, just in case
Can't make it any other way
When reflections can be so deceiving
I've been waiting here and you're still leaving
You've been dragging me down
And I've been waiting around for so long
Look at the damage you have done
And I'll bet you think you've won
Just say my name, 'cause I played your game
And I did my best
It was just too little and too late
You push me away, it's just the price I pay
And I can't afford it, but I think I'll try anyway
Can't make it any other way
When reflections can be so deceiving
And I've been drowning here and you're still breathing
And you've been dragging me down
And I've been waiting around for so long
Look at the damage you have done
You pray for someone else to come along
And I've been waiting here, safe from harm
And I try to promise you that I won't ever fade
And you just ignore my calls
Avoid the blame
Fuck
And I'll bet you think you've won
And I'll bet you think you've won
And I'll bet you think you've won
Look at the damage you have done
Fuck
And I'll bet you think you've won
I'll bet you think you've won
Then you'll be pleased to know you've won
@annelisaglidewell7604
Just discovered Cory Wells tonight. New fav artist hands down. Been on repeat all night.
@cassandradesern4044
Annelisa Glidewell facts !!!!
@Annaheartsu1
Yo.... I recently discovered him and I usually put all his songs on repeat. Lol
@burstfireacademy4495
I wanted to thank you. After infidelity in my marriage he helped me tell my wife how I felt threw his songs in a way that allowed me to remove my personal anger. Thank you. Very much.
@firstnamelastname4705
Did you sing it too?
@MUSICismylover77
Love
@hannahleeewing9046
I feel like this doesn't have as many likes as it should. Just wanted to let you know that this is one of my favorite songs!!! I love the hurt in your voice and when you say "FUUUUUHHHHK" 😂😝❤ Love you Cory!!! Keep screaming for me please!!!❤😂
@arthurwanderstheworld
cory wells is everywhere right now !! <33
@AmberMeade
Saw him last night, after never hearing of him. Absolutely incredibly. Goosebumps through every song. I met him afterwards, what a humble soul. You’ve got another fan, Cory.
@Jay-bq2qj
Just saw him tonight before TJT played. Definitely a fan now.