Forest for the Trees
Danko Jones Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

All you want to be is insane
Wishing you were more than just plain
And when you try you try too hard it comes off fake

Many times I wanted to say
Plastic people like you will break
And soon enough it caught up and you went away
And if I...never see...you again
It'll be to soon to make amends
And if I...never see...you again
It'll be to soon to make amends

And if I...never see...you again
It'll be to soon to make amends
And if I...never see...you again
It'll be to soon to make amends

You like it when you make people wait
It's the only time you're calling the plays
Controlling nothing makes you execrate

Everybody knows you're in pain
We all know it stems from the shame
Because your actions called for a drastic fall from grace

And if I...never see...you again
It'll be to soon to make amends
And if I...never see...you again
It'll be to soon to make amends

You suck up life like you're a needle
Sticking in a vein for life
Keep up appearances when needed
You're used to changing overnight

I always wondered if you saw
What the rest of us could see
Every day's a final straw

Can't see the forest for the trees
(Can't see the forest for the trees)
Can't see the forest for the trees
(Can't see the forest for the trees)
Can't see the forest for the trees
(Can't see the forest for the trees)
Can't see the forest for the trees
(Can't see the forest for the trees)
Oh oh
(Can't see the forest for the trees)
Can't see the forest for the trees
(Can't see the forest for the trees)

And if I...never see...you again
It'll be to soon to make amends
And if I...never see...you again
It'll be to soon to make amends

And if I...never see...you again
It'll be to soon to make amends
And if I...never see...you again
It'll be to soon to make amends

And if I...never see...you again
It'll be to soon to make amends
And if I...never see...you again
It'll be to soon to make amends

And if I...never see...you again
It'll be to soon to make amends




And if I...never see...you again
It'll be to soon to make amends

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Danko Jones's song "Forest for the Trees" talk about a person who is constantly trying to be someone else, someone more than just plain. The person tries too hard, and their actions come off as fake. The singer acknowledges that he wanted to say that these plastic people will eventually break. And it did happen – the person the song talks about caught up and went away.


In the second verse, the lyrics suggest that the person likes to make people wait, and it is the only time they call the plays. The person is in pain, and everyone knows it stems from shame. The person's actions caused a fall from grace, and this is why they are in pain. The chorus repeats that if the singer never sees the person again, it'll be too soon to make amends.


The bridge refers to how the person sucks up life like they're a needle in a vein for life. They keep up appearances when needed and are used to changing overnight. The singer wonders if the person sees what everyone else sees, that every day is a final straw. The ending line states that the person can't see the forest for the trees, meaning they can't see the bigger picture, and this is why they are trapped in a cycle of trying too hard and never being satisfied.


Line by Line Meaning

All you want to be is insane
You have a desire to be crazy and out of control


Wishing you were more than just plain
You want to be extraordinary and stand out from the crowd


And when you try you try too hard it comes off fake
Your attempts to be different seem forced and disingenuous


Many times I wanted to say
I frequently felt the urge to speak my mind to you


Plastic people like you will break
People like you who lack authenticity and are fake will eventually fall apart


And soon enough it caught up and you went away
Your actions caught up with you and resulted in your departure


You like it when you make people wait
You enjoy having control over others by making them wait for you


It's the only time you're calling the plays
When you're making people wait is the only time you feel in control


Controlling nothing makes you execrate
Losing control makes you feel intense dislike and disgust


Everybody knows you're in pain
Others are aware that you're suffering emotionally


We all know it stems from the shame
People understand that your pain comes from feeling guilty or embarrassed


Because your actions called for a drastic fall from grace
Your behavior caused a severe loss of status or respect


You suck up life like you're a needle
You consume life greedily and recklessly


Sticking in a vein for life
You're addicted to this lifestyle and can't give it up


Keep up appearances when needed
You maintain a façade when necessary to hide your true self


You're used to changing overnight
You often alter your behavior or personality very quickly


Can't see the forest for the trees
You're too focused on small details to see the big picture


Oh oh
Vocalization indicating a moment of realization or understanding




Contributed by Christian M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found
Comments from YouTube:

Josh Griffith

This band continues to blow my mind with every song!

MsTLB23

freakin awesome!!gives me goosebumps!!!

ChuckERZ74

Love this song! One of many Danko favs.

Bertus1987

I can really enjoy this song!!

Custer

damn i love this song, Soooo unique ;D

emperorSbraz

every guitar+bass sounds should blend like this. :)

cooey17

Totally!!!! I just got on the wagon 2 days ago......holy fuck!!!! Been meaning to check 'em from constant endorsement from the boys at that metal show.....and finally did. Thank rock!!!! Danko RULES!!!!!!!!!! Didnt know he was a KISS fan, but had a feeling after first video i watched. I knew it!!! no wonder they rule!!!!!

Dennis Schnitzel

awesome !

rodney st george

love the guitar and wicket songs,,

Gert Larsen

how to get over a heartbreak... thx Danko..

More Comments