Composed of founding members Andy Holtgreive and Billy Kenny, along with Job Grotsky, John "Ned" Niedzielski, Matt Fouts, and Reggie "R.J." Ness, DOMESTIC PROBLEMS' humble beginnings date back to the early '90s in the dormitories of Aquinas College in Grand Rapids.
Over the years, the band has toured the country many times over, sharing the stage with some of today's biggest stars: Barenaked Ladies, Train, Rusted Root, Ben Folds Five, Soul Coughing, The Verve Pipe (also from Grand Rapids), They Might Be Giants, Eve 6, Blues Traveler, Buddy Guy, Joe Walsh, and many more. Great songs include "Untitled," "My Only Love," "Ernie's Tragic Love Triangle," and "Summer in the Sandbox."
Where
Domestic Problems Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
so you can light a smoke
It's a matter of opinion,
it's a matter of a joke
A little voice inside you
tells you all about the shame
Come and join the dancing
of the crippled and the lame
*Chorus*
Where oh where have you gone
Where have you
Where oh where have you gone
You wish you could describe it,
all the anger that you feel
You think that it's been made up,
it just happens to be real
You try and learn the lesson's
that can be so hard to learn
See the fire go up in flames,
the flame that never burns
*Chorus*
Look a little closer
now you're hoping you might find
A little bit of fire,
gently pleasant and unkind
You're really not so different,
you're practically the same
Look a little closer
at the crippled and the lame
'Bridge'
Maybe it's a matter of a opinion
Maybe it's a matter of your taste
Somehow caught up in all this confussion
I cannot seem to remember your face
Reaching for a lighter
so you can light a smoke
It's a matter of opinion,
it's a matter of a joke
A little voice inside you
tells you all about the shame
Look a little closer
now you're hoping for the flame
The song "Where" by Domestic Problems talks about a feeling of emptiness and a search for something more in life. The opening lines describe the act of lighting a cigarette, which can be seen as a metaphor for trying to find a spark or a purpose. The lyrics mention that opinions and jokes vary from person to person, highlighting the subjective nature of life.
The lines "a little voice inside you tells you all about the shame" indicates a sense of guilt or self-doubt, possibly due to not finding fulfillment in life. The chorus "where oh where have you gone" repeatedly questions where the sense of purpose or direction has disappeared to. The second verse speaks of trying to understand and learn from the hardships of life, but it is difficult to do so. The flame that never burns could represent the desire for something that never quite materializes.
The bridge introduces the idea that perhaps it is all a matter of opinion and taste, and the confusion and inability to remember someone's face suggest a sense of disconnection from the world. The final lines of the song repeat the opening with a slight variation- "look a little closer now you're hoping for the flame" - perhaps indicating that the search for purpose and fulfillment continues, but there is a glimmer of hope for finding it.
Overall, the song "Where" conveys a sense of existential yearning and the struggle to find meaning in life.
Line by Line Meaning
Reaching for a lighter
In need of a lighter to light up a cigarette, a common habit associated with feeling anxious and stressed.
so you can light a smoke
Lighting up a cigarette as a coping mechanism for managing emotional turmoil.
It's a matter of opinion,
Perceptions of smoking vary, and the decision to smoke is subjective depending on personal attitudes and beliefs.
it's a matter of a joke
Some people view smoking as a harmless joke, while others consider it as serious health risk with dire consequences.
A little voice inside you
Internal dialogue that contributes to feelings of guilt, shame and blame associated with smoking as an addiction.
tells you all about the shame
Feeling ashamed about the addictive habit and the inability to control or quit the behavior.
Come and join the dancing
Join the club of those struggling with addiction and trying to cope with the problems that arise as a result.
of the crippled and the lame
Acknowledging that the addiction leaves the individual feeling disabled and helpless in their attempts to quit.
Where oh where have you gone
Questioning where the individual has disappeared as a result of addiction and its devastating consequences.
You wish you could describe it,
Struggling to articulate the intensity of emotions and the impact of addiction on one's life and relationships.
all the anger that you feel
Experiencing a mix of negative emotions, including anger, frustration, guilt, and hopelessness, as a result of addiction.
You think that it's been made up,
Trying to dismiss the negative impact of addiction by believing it to be a made-up scenario in their minds, rather than accepting reality.
it just happens to be real
Coming to a realization that addiction is not a figment of imagination but a real problem with destructive consequences.
You try and learn the lesson's
Attempting to learn from past mistakes and the negative consequences of addiction, but it's a challenging process.
that can be so hard to learn
The lessons learned from addiction are difficult to implement in real life, and relapse is often common.
See the fire go up in flames,
Observing intense emotions and behaviors spiral out of control, leading to self-destruction and further problems.
the flame that never burns
In spite of the intense emotional turmoil and negative consequences, addiction continues to be a prevalent problem, never burning out completely.
Look a little closer
Encouraging the individual to examine issues more closely, rather than ignoring or dismissing them, to gain a better understanding.
now you're hoping you might find
Feeling optimistic about finding a solution or a glimmer of hope for overcoming addiction.
A little bit of fire,
Hopeful for a spark of motivation or inspiration to leave the addiction behind and move towards recovery.
gently pleasant and unkind
Motivation can be both pleasant and unpleasant, requiring hard work, dedication, and sacrifice, but it's all worth it in the end.
You're really not so different,
Realizing that addiction is a common problem affecting many individuals, and that there is hope for recovery and a better life.
you're practically the same
Empathizing with others who are struggling with addiction and recognizing that everyone is on the same journey, facing similar challenges and obstacles.
Maybe it's a matter of opinion
Believing that addiction is subjective and that there are different perspectives on the problem and how to deal with it.
Maybe it's a matter of your taste
Personal taste, preference, and individual perception play a significant role in how one approaches addiction and recovery.
Somehow caught up in all this confusion
Confusion and uncertainty can make it difficult to approach addiction in a constructive and meaningful way.
I cannot seem to remember your face
Feeling lost and disconnected from one's own identity and sense of self as a result of addiction, making it difficult to recognize oneself in the mirror.
Contributed by Isaiah W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Charlotte cal
Awesome! This is charlotte You rock Mr. Kenny!!!!!!!!