Back to School
Deftones (White Pony 2000) Lyrics


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So run
Right
Right back to school
Check it

Look back I sift through all the cliques
Roaming' the halls all year, making me sick
While everyone's out tryin to make the cut
What?

And when you think you know me right I switch it up
Behind the walls smokin' cigarettes and sippin' vodka
I profess to catch a cab, ain't no one can stop us
Give me a break about some other mess

What were you?
Act like it's everything you got

Push back the square
Now that you need her but you don't
So there you go
'Cause back in school
We are the leaders of it all

Stop that, quit! All that, quit!
Who ruined it? You did! Now grab a notebook and a pen
Start taking notes, I'm being everyone who's on the top
You think we're on the same page - but, oh we're not!
I'll be the man, watch your backpack and the pencils
Just like he now flippin it, why you just keep it simple?
You just can't go wrong rocking' the clothes
Coppin' the stance
'Cause really is everything that you got

Push back the square
Now that you need her but you don't
So there you go!
'Cause back in school
We are the leaders of it all
So
Transpose
Or stop your lies
It's what you do
Transpose
Or stop your lies
So run

So why don't you run, so why don't you run
So why don't you run back to school
So why don't you run, so why don't you run

(All you are) now I'm on the next page
(All you are) it's time to close the book up
(All you are) I'm on the next page
(All you are) close the book up now

Push back the square
Now that you need her but you don't
So there you go!
'Cause back in school
We are the leaders of all

(We are) we are the leaders (of all)

(We are) we are the leaders (of all)

So run
Why don't you rush, why don't you run




Why don't you run back to school
Why don't you rush, why don't you run

Overall Meaning

The song Back to School by the Deftones is all about the experience of growing up and going to school. The lyrics talk about the different cliques that exist in high school and how they can make a person feel sick. They also talk about the feeling of being on the outside looking in, but then suddenly being accepted and welcomed into the group. The song seems to be calling on people to be true to themselves and not to try and fit in with any one particular clique or group.


The lyrics are also about the different ways that people can present themselves to the world. The song talks about smoking cigarettes and sipping vodka behind the walls, but also professing to catch a cab and not caring what anyone thinks. This could be seen as a message to be true to yourself, even if it means doing things that might be frowned upon by others.


Line by Line Meaning

So run
Begin moving quickly


Right
A confirmation of the previous statement


Right back to school
Return to the educational institution


Check it
Pay attention to this information


Look back I sift through all the cliques
Reflecting on my past experiences and the various groups of people I interacted with


Roaming' the halls all year, making me sick
Wandering through the school building for an entire year, causing me discomfort


While everyone's out tryin to make the cut
While others are attempting to meet certain qualifications or standards


What?
An expression of confusion or disbelief


And when you think you know me right I switch it up
When someone believes they have a good understanding of me, I intentionally behave differently


Behind the walls smokin' cigarettes and sippin' vodka
Concealed from public view, I smoke cigarettes and drink vodka


I profess to catch a cab, ain't no one can stop us
I claim to want to take a taxi and nobody can prevent me


Give me a break about some other mess
Stop talking to me about irrelevant topics


What were you?
An inquiry into someone's previous actions or behavior


Act like it's everything you got
Behave as if you have nothing else and this is your only chance


Push back the square
Challenge the established norms or expectations


Now that you need her but you don't
Although you require her assistance, you are no longer in possession of it


So there you go
That's the way it is


'Cause back in school
During my time in school


We are the leaders of it all
We were the individuals in charge of everything


Stop that, quit! All that, quit!
Stop that behavior immediately


Who ruined it? You did! Now grab a notebook and a pen
You were the one who caused the problem, so take responsibility and prepare to take notes


Start taking notes, I'm being everyone who's on the top
Begin writing down my words of wisdom, as I offer advice on how to be successful


You think we're on the same page - but, oh we're not!
Although you believe we have mutual understanding, we do not


I'll be the man, watch your backpack and the pencils
I will be a leader and oversee your possessions


Just like he now flippin it, why you just keep it simple?
Just like the current trend of being different, why don't you stick with what is easy?


You just can't go wrong rocking' the clothes
There are no bad choices when it comes to clothing


Coppin' the stance
Adopting a certain posture or attitude


'Cause really is everything that you got
Because your appearance is all you have to offer


Transpose
Switch the order or position


Or stop your lies
End the act of being untruthful


It's what you do
This is your typical behavior


So run
Begin moving quickly


Why don't you rush, why don't you run
An urgent recommendation to expedite your pace


Now I'm on the next page
I have moved on to a different subject or situation


It's time to close the book up
It's time to bring this to a conclusion


We are the leaders of all
During our time in school, we held power and authority




Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ABRAN CUNNINGHAM, CHI CHENG, CHINO CAMILO MORENO, STEPHEN CARPENTER

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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