That's Incentive
Death Cab for Cutie Lyrics


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You see nothing to be adored, when obsession takes it's toll
You can't place you in between the pages of fashion magazines
Paper cuts from turning pages, just like a bad dream
Is it this or that or me that makes you owe? what you can't defeat

Boiled over burning clean toward the flesh blocks? in your knees
It's a lesson that just might keep suppressing appetites
Paper cuts from turning pages, just like a bad dream
Is it this or that or me that makes you owe? what

And I live this life just to bear these scars
Will the hurt subside, if you decide?
That's it's me and you this time
Is it you that always... is it you that decides

And I live this life just to bear these scars
Will the hurt subside, if you decide?




And I live this life just to bear these scars
Will the hurt subside, if you decide?

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Death Cab for Cutie's song "That's Incentive" explore themes of identity, self-doubt, and the pressures of societal expectations. The opening lines suggest that the singer feels overlooked and unimportant, as though there is nothing worthy of adoration in their life. This feeling of insignificance is compounded by the pressures of obsession, which take a toll on their mental and emotional wellbeing. The reference to fashion magazines suggests that the singer feels inadequate compared to the idealized images they see in media, and that they are unable to fit into these narrow definitions of beauty and success.


The repetition of the line "paper cuts from turning pages, just like a bad dream" creates a sense of discomfort and unease, as though the singer is stuck in a cycle of self-doubt and self-criticism. The line "Is it this or that or me that makes you owe? what you can't defeat" further explores the idea of feeling like a failure or not measuring up to external expectations. The question is directed both at the singer themselves and at an unnamed "you," perhaps representing societal pressures or the expectations of others.


The chorus, with its repetition of the lines "And I live this life just to bear these scars / Will the hurt subside, if you decide?" further emphasizes the idea of struggling with one's identity and the pain that comes with feeling like you don't measure up. The use of the word "decide" suggests that perhaps some control or agency lies with the singer, and that they can choose to confront and overcome their feelings of inadequacy.


Overall, "That's Incentive" is a poignant exploration of the pressures of societal expectations and the toll that obsession and self-doubt can take on one's emotional wellbeing.


Line by Line Meaning

You see nothing to be adored, when obsession takes it's toll
When you become obsessed with something, it becomes difficult to appreciate anything else


You can't place you in between the pages of fashion magazines
You don't feel like you fit in with society's idea of perfection


Paper cuts from turning pages, just like a bad dream
Small things can hurt just as much as big things, especially when they happen repeatedly


Is it this or that or me that makes you owe? what you can't defeat
Is it external circumstances, the choices you make, or something within yourself that makes you feel powerless and defeated?


Boiled over burning clean toward the flesh blocks? in your knees
You feel like you're boiling over with emotions that are causing physical pain


It's a lesson that just might keep suppressing appetites
Going through difficult times can teach us to suppress our desires in order to avoid further pain


And I live this life just to bear these scars
Life can be hard and leave us with lasting emotional wounds


Will the hurt subside, if you decide?
Can you choose to let go of the pain and move on, or will it continue to haunt you?


That's it's me and you this time
This time, we're in this together and won't give up


Is it you that always... is it you that decides
Do you have control over your own life and the choices you make, or are you at the mercy of external forces?




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: BENJAMIN GIBBARD, CHRISTOPHER WALLA

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Frank


on I Will Follow You Into The Dark

This song sucks