Dag Nasty(1985 - 1991)
Dave Smalley - vocals on #19
Peter Cortner - vocals on #26
Brian Baker - guitar
Roger Marbury - bass on #19
Doug Carrion - bass on #26
Colin Sears - drums
Throwing Darts
Dag Nasty Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I didn't know I had to pass your fucking test
You're throwing darts
But what a price I'm paying for all the stupid thing you're saying
You write in cheap shots everyday
Did you think I won't hear what you say?
It's pathetic - you never got the point
I shouldn't let my nose get out of joint
This is serious, it's not a game
Poured it on, and still you say we're lame
A sad state we're in
We worked so hard to make this real
I didn't think that you came with the deal
Faceless, nameless, safe behind a screen
But did you ever stop to think what words could mean?
It's pathetic - you never got the point
I shouldn't let my nose get out of joint
This is serious, it's not a game
Poured it on, and still you say I'm lame
It might be stupid, might be naive
But there are some things we can all believe
Throwing darts again
Throwing darts again
And I know to you I'm just a name but I wonder if you'd feel the same
Everything I stand for, you never got
So here I am with my heart exposed, take your best shot
Just put me up against the wall
Take off my blindfold
Put on yours
Line up - fire
You're throwing darts again and again and again
In Dag Nasty’s song, Throwing Darts, the lyrics describe the frustration and anger of being the target of online criticism and bullying. The words are directed at those who hide behind their screens and write cheap shots about the singer or band. The song’s opening line, “So sorry you think I’m not the best,” is a sarcastic retort to the unnamed critic who has judged them. The singer didn't know he needed to pass an unnamed "test" of the critic. He continues to lash out with, “What a price I’m paying for all the stupid things you're saying, you write in cheap shots every day. Did you think I wouldn't hear what you say? It's pathetic- you never got the point.” Here he is conveying his understanding that people will say negative things about him and the band, but that they are missing the point of their music. The singer is incensed with how the critic’s words can impact his life with the line, “I shouldn't let my nose get out of joint, this is serious not a game.” The line highlights how the band worked hard to make their music, and this is not a game to them.
The lyrics continue to express frustration and a sense of betrayal with the line “We worked so hard to make this real, I didn't think that you came with the deal.” This line conveys how an artist can feel betrayed when people criticize them online. They spend years creating and making music, and then people who they don't even know start criticizing them. The singer then shifts from a state of frustration to defiance, saying “Take your best shot…you're throwing darts again and again and again.” This last line sounds like a challenge to the online bully, telling them to bring their worst and keep trying because the singer has no intention of backing down.
Line by Line Meaning
So sorry you think I'm not the best
I apologize that you don't consider me to be the best
I didn't know I had to pass your fucking test
I was unaware that I needed to meet your standards
You're throwing darts
You're criticizing me harshly
But what a price I'm paying for all the stupid thing you're saying
I'm suffering the consequences of your hurtful words
You write in cheap shots everyday
You frequently use low blows against me
Did you think I won't hear what you say?
Did you believe that your words wouldn't reach me?
It's pathetic - you never got the point
It's sad that you still don't understand the issue
I shouldn't let my nose get out of joint
I shouldn't let you upset me
This is serious, it's not a game
This is a serious matter, not a joke
Poured it on, and still you say we're lame
We've put in a lot of effort, but you still insult us
A sad state we're in
We're stuck in a depressing situation
We worked so hard to make this real
We put a lot of effort into making this a reality
I didn't think that you came with the deal
I didn't expect you to be a part of this situation
Faceless, nameless, safe behind a screen
You hide behind a screen without revealing your identity
But did you ever stop to think what words could mean?
Have you considered the meaning behind your words?
It might be stupid, might be naive
It may seem foolish or inexperienced
But there are some things we can all believe
There are certain things that we can all accept
Throwing darts again
Critiquing again
And I know to you I'm just a name but I wonder if you'd feel the same
I'm aware that to you I'm just anonymous, but I wonder if you'd still insult me if you knew me personally
Everything I stand for, you never got
You don't comprehend my values or beliefs
So here I am with my heart exposed, take your best shot
I'm being vulnerable, so go ahead and say your worst
Just put me up against the wall
Just confront me directly
Take off my blindfold
Make me aware of what's really happening
Put on yours
Consider my perspective
Line up - fire
Confront me head-on
You're throwing darts again and again and again
You continue to criticize me repeatedly
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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