The Knowledgeable Hasbeens
Cursive Lyrics

The lyrics of Cursive's song The Knowledgeable Hasbeens focus on the inner turmoil and self-doubt of the singer. The repeated line "knock the wind right out" creates a sense of suffocation and frustration. The singer feels unable to breathe due to their own hypocrisy and self-selling. The line "who's your scapegoat now?" is a direct challenge to somebody who had previously relied on them for this role. This could be interpreted as someone who had used the singer to deflect blame or guilt from themselves but can no longer do so.

As the song progresses, the singer continues to express their uncertainty about their position in life. They mention their knees feeling weak, and feeling trampled through the grind. This suggests that they feel like they have been walked over or discarded by others. Despite this, they mention that they feel like they may still have a role to play in something, even if it seems like a long shot. However, they struggle to find purpose or a reason to carry on with their current situation. They mention the possibility of starting over with something like waiting tables, although this could be seen as a resignation to something less significant.

The song's introspective lyrics are set to a lamenting melody with a feeling of frustration and resignation. The slow tempo and building instrumentation emphasize the weight of the lyrics. Overall, the song expresses the feelings of self-doubt and uncertainty that can arise when someone feels like they do not belong or are not appreciated.