Bow Out
Eels Lyrics


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Everett-P Boo

A lot of what she said and much of what she did
I don't doubt that she meant well while drifting and wounded
But it's a game she plays, a game I'd never win
Those days aren't coming back to change the state I'm in.

In the darkness I forgot that the game was all about
Making up reality and jealousy and doubt
I bow out.

Everything I am or what I used to be
Is not part of the hollow shell of a man that you see
All the time unsure, all my days a waste
Never knowing where I stood much less which way I face.

In the darkness I forgot that the game was all about




Making up reality and jealousy and doubt
I bow out.

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Eels' song "Bow Out" are about someone who has been hurt and betrayed by a woman who was once close to them. The lyrics suggest that she may have been well-meaning, but ultimately she played a game that always left the singer on the losing side. The game involved creating a false reality and sowing seeds of jealousy and doubt, which made it impossible for the singer to ever feel secure in their relationship with her.


The singer has now reached a point where they feel like they are just a hollow shell of a man, and all their days have been wasted. They no longer recognize themselves, and they feel lost and directionless. The repeated refrain "I bow out" expresses a sense of defeat and resignation, as if the singer has given up on ever finding happiness or fulfillment in this relationship.


Overall, the lyrics to "Bow Out" paint a picture of someone who has been worn down by a toxic relationship, and has decided that it's time to walk away and start over.


Line by Line Meaning

A lot of what she said and much of what she did
I believe that she had good intentions, but ultimately her words and actions led to me feeling lost and hurt.


I don't doubt that she meant well while drifting and wounded
It's possible that she was struggling herself, even though she was unintentionally causing me pain.


But it's a game she plays, a game I'd never win
She seems to enjoy playing games and manipulating situations, which is not something I'm interested in or capable of doing successfully.


Those days aren't coming back to change the state I'm in.
I've experienced a lot of pain and confusion because of her, but the past cannot be changed and I need to focus on healing and moving forward.


Everything I am or what I used to be
I feel like I've lost my sense of self and identity because of the emotional toll that this situation has taken on me.


Is not part of the hollow shell of a man that you see
Despite feeling like I'm not myself anymore, I know that I am more than just this empty and broken version of myself that she may see.


All the time unsure, all my days a waste
I've been constantly second-guessing myself and feeling lost and unproductive because of how this situation has affected me.


Never knowing where I stood much less which way I face.
I've been so confused and hurt by her actions that I don't even know where I stand or what direction to take in my life.


In the darkness I forgot that the game was all about
I lost sight of the fact that this situation was all about her playing games and causing drama, rather than something genuine or meaningful.


Making up reality and jealousy and doubt
She was using deception and manipulation to create a false version of reality, causing me to feel jealous and doubtful of everything around me.


I bow out.
I am choosing to remove myself from this situation and all of the pain and confusion that it has brought into my life.




Contributed by Cameron W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Comments from YouTube:

movAX13h

I love this song so much. Can we have the lyrics here or on the eels website? Please!

Zaphod Toasty

You bow out and we all call encore!!

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