Misery
Dave's True Story Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

She drives a mint green el-dorado
She's given lectures at the Prado
She moves through air so easily
Leave a light on for misery

She got her Master's in Derision
She likes the big screen television
This makes for thrilling company
Leave a light on for misery, misery
Leave a light on for misery

They speak her name in Katmandu
They know her well in Ghana too
Break out the bowl but she won't stir
It's not her fault, it's not her fault
You're not like her

Her evening wear is understated
She thinks Foucault is overrated
She says she has big plans for me
Leave a light on for misery, misery
Leave a light on for misery

Watching the sunrise from Big Sur
The ocean holds no charms for her
Break out the bowl and she'll take two
It's not your fault, it's not your fault
She's just like you

She spans the globe like Coronado
Knows all the words to "Desperado"
She says she has big plans for me
Leave a light on for misery, misery




Leave the light on for misery, misery
Misery

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Dave's True Story's song Misery are a mix of satire and irony. The song seems to be about a woman who is well-traveled and educated, but also deeply unhappy and cynical. The opening lines describe her as driving a mint green El Dorado and giving lectures at the Prado, suggesting that she is well-off and cultured. However, the following lines reveal a darker side to her character, as she is described as having a Master's in Derision and liking the company of a big-screen television.


The chorus of the song repeats the line "Leave a light on for misery," suggesting that despite her apparent success, this woman is deeply unhappy and brings misery wherever she goes. The lyrics also reference places like Katmandu and Ghana, creating the impression that the woman has traveled extensively but has not found happiness anywhere. The song also includes references to philosophers like Foucault, suggesting that the woman is intellectual but perhaps also pretentious.


Overall, the lyrics to Misery paint a picture of a complex and troubled character who seems to be both privileged and unhappy, well-traveled but unable to find contentment anywhere. The repetition of the chorus reinforces the idea that the woman's presence brings misery, but the song also hints at the possibility that others might be like her or even contribute to her unhappiness.


Line by Line Meaning

She drives a mint green el-dorado
She has a lavish lifestyle and enjoys riding in a mint green El Dorado car


She's given lectures at the Prado
She is well-educated and accomplished enough to have given lectures at prestigious art institutes like the Prado


She moves through air so easily
She has a charming and effortless demeanor that makes it easy for her to move from place to place


Leave a light on for misery
She is a perpetually unhappy person, so leave a light on for her when she inevitably returns to her state of misery


She got her Master's in Derision
She has a degree in mocking or ridiculing others, which may be her way of coping with her own misery


She likes the big screen television
She indulges in materialistic comforts like watching a big screen TV


This makes for thrilling company
Her interest in consumerist pleasures may make her a fun companion in that regard


They speak her name in Katmandu, They know her well in Ghana too
She is known globally and people in different parts of the world recognize her by name


Break out the bowl but she won't stir, It's not her fault, it's not her fault, You're not like her
She may seem uninterested or apathetic at times, but it's not necessarily her fault - she may be struggling with her own issues, and it's important to remember that everyone is different


Her evening wear is understated
She dresses in a simple, modest way, even for formal events at night


She thinks Foucault is overrated
She does not hold deceased French philosopher Michel Foucault in high regard, possibly due to his philosophical ideas not resonating with her


She says she has big plans for me
She has an idea of what she wants for the artist's future, but it may not necessarily align with the artist's own desires


Watching the sunrise from Big Sur, The ocean holds no charms for her
Even beautiful natural sights like watching the sunrise from the coast of California's Big Sur or watching the ocean do not bring joy to her life


Break out the bowl and she'll take two, It's not your fault, it's not your fault, She's just like you
She may turn to substance use to cope with her misery, and it's not the singer's fault for identifying with her situation and similar struggles


She spans the globe like Coronado, Knows all the words to 'Desperado'
She has traveled extensively and has a wide range of knowledge, even in pop culture references like knowing all the lyrics to the Eagles' song 'Desperado'


Leave a light on for misery, misery
Overall, she is a sad person, and it's important to be compassionate and understanding towards her state of ongoing misery




Contributed by Colton K. 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

More Versions