The Deviates were a punk rock band from South Bay California. They formed i… Read Full Bio ↴The Deviates were a punk rock band from South Bay California. They formed in the winter of 1994 when their members were in their mid-teens and slowly built a following in the South Bay where Pennywise guitarist Fletcher Dragge got interested in them. The band's first album on Theologian Records label was produced by Dragge. They toured for three summers with the Vans Warped Tour before breaking up in 2004.

This Town
Deviates Lyrics

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I've tried so many times to leave this place, this town,
My life these streets are a map of my past, tomorrow
They'll tell me about last night
There's no odd news if there's any news at all, this place is boring,
This place sucks, this place is home, I've walked these streets 18 years,
My whole life, I know their names like mine, and I hate tonight
Where should we go from here, where will be next year, this city is changing
But it's all the same, we've been here, done that, seen this, and trashed that

I can't take another day, I hate tonight I say this seven nights a week
I hate tonight, I hate this fucking town, everywhere I go and everything I see
I try to shrug it away, I try to sleep it away, I try to drink it away
I want to keep it away, there's nothing left to see, it's a part of me
No, it's not a part of me. I've tried so many times to leave this
Place this town my life, the same problems always come my way,
It's getting harder to see

Guess I'll find my way home, I close my mind and the problems solved
If tomorrow comes, I'll push on through

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Deviates' song "This" evoke a sense of frustration and dissatisfaction with one's surroundings. The singer desires to leave their town, but also acknowledges that the streets and people in it hold a significant history for them. The repetitiveness of the city and its lack of change only adds to their restlessness. The singer tries to cope through various means such as sleeping, drinking, and avoiding their problems altogether. Ultimately, the solution is to "find [their] way home" and close their mind off to the issues.

The theme of the song is relatable to many people who may feel stuck in their own lives or environments. The emotional depth of the lyrics speaks to the internal struggles that can come with wanting to escape while feeling tied to the place and people that have shaped one's identity. The repetition of "I hate tonight" emphasizes the singer's desperate desire for change and escape.

Line by Line Meaning

I've tried so many times to leave this place, this town
Despite numerous attempts, I have been unsuccessful in leaving this location and its surroundings

My life these streets are a map of my past, tomorrow
I have spent my life here, and my memories are intertwined with the very streets I walk on

They'll tell me about last night
People in this town will gossip and share details about my activities from the previous evening

There's no odd news if there's any news at all, this place is boring
This town is devoid of excitement, and even if there is news, it is not out of the ordinary

This place sucks, this place is home, I've walked these streets 18 years
Despite my disdain for this town, it is my home, and I have lived here for 18 years, becoming intimately familiar with the streets

My whole life, I know their names like mine, and I hate tonight
I have known the names of these streets and their inhabitants for as long as I can remember, and tonight, I am filled with hatred

Where should we go from here, where will be next year, this city is changing
I am uncertain about my future and where I may go from here, but I do recognize that this town is evolving and transforming

But it's all the same, we've been here, done that, seen this, and trashed that
Despite changes, the overall character of the town has not altered, and its inhabitants are familiar with all it has to offer and have grown apathetic towards it

I can't take another day, I hate tonight I say this seven nights a week
My hatred for this town is so strong that I vocalize it every night of the week, and I cannot bear the thought of enduring another day here

I hate tonight, I hate this fucking town, everywhere I go and everything I see
My animosity towards this town is all-consuming, permeating every aspect of my existence, and I cannot escape it no matter where I go

I try to shrug it away, I try to sleep it away, I try to drink it away
I attempt to forget my distaste for this town through various means, such as sleeping or drinking, but it persists

I want to keep it away, there's nothing left to see, it's a part of me
I wish to repress my loathing, but it has become an essential part of my identity

No, it's not a part of me. I've tried so many times to leave this
While I have tried to accept this town as part of me, I ultimately reject it and yearn to escape its grasp

Place this town my life, the same problems always come my way
Regardless of where I go or what I do, I am plagued by the same issues that follow me due to my association with this town

It's getting harder to see
As time progresses, it becomes increasingly difficult for me to envision a future outside of this town

Guess I'll find my way home, I close my mind and the problems solved
Despite my struggles, I resign myself to returning home, hoping to temporarily forget my issues by shutting down mentally

If tomorrow comes, I'll push on through
In the hope of a new day, I vow to persevere and overcome my challenges

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: CHARLOTTE CAFFEY, JANE WIEDLIN

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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