About as Helpful as You Can Be Without Being Any Help At All
Dan Mangan Lyrics

The song "About as Helpful as You Can Be Without Being Any Help At All" by Dan Mangan is a reflective piece on the challenges of life and the importance of perseverance through adversity. The opening lines of the song, "Both feet together, slowly progressing, always in time" suggest that the singer is moving forward with determination, despite the obstacles in his path. He cautions against getting caught up in insignificant details ("Don't count the feathers, just count the wings"), emphasizing the need to focus on the bigger picture and keep moving forward.

The second verse describes a challenging situation in which the singer is "thrown in the boat" and cast out to sea. Sharks lurk beneath the surface, threatening to devour him, yet he remains undaunted. He even taunts the sharks by dangling his leg into the water. When the situation becomes dire, he sets himself on fire, using himself as a torch to light the way until he reaches safety. This image of self-destruction and rebirth is a powerful metaphor for the struggle to survive and the need to adapt in the face of adversity.

The final verse returns to the theme of perseverance, with the singer reflecting on the fact that everything is constantly changing. He acknowledges that it can be easy to forget this fact and get stuck in a rut, but he encourages himself to keep moving forward. The repeated refrain of "I almost forgot it, but then I remembered" underscores the importance of staying focused and maintaining a positive attitude, no matter what challenges come your way.