Easy Way Out
Elliot Smith Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
'Cause without an enemy your anger gets confused
And I got stuck on a side you know I never chose
But it's all about taking the easy way out for you, I suppose
There's no escape for you, except in someone else
Although you've already disappeared within yourself
The invisible man, who's always changing clothes
While I watch you making mistakes
I wish you luck, I really do
With the problem, with the puzzle
Whatever's left of you
I heard you found another audience to bore
A creative thinker who imagined you were more
A new body for you to push around and pose
It's all about taking the easy way out for you, I suppose
It's all about taking the easy way out for you, I suppose
In "Easy Way Out" by Elliot Smith, he sings about someone who constantly takes advantage of others until they feel used. This person seems to always need an enemy or someone to direct their anger towards in order to feel in control. The singer reveals that they got stuck on a side they never chose and are dealing with the consequences of this person's need for the easy way out. The easy way out meaning, they avoid any tough situation and choose to continue to harm others and make careless decisions.
The singer also reveals that there is no way out for this person except in someone else. This person has become invisible and lost themselves in the process. Elliot watches this person make mistakes and wishes them luck in solving their problems. He also mentions that this person has found a new body to push around and pose, revealing that they are using and manipulating someone new.
Overall, the song is about someone who continuously avoids taking responsibility for their actions and chooses the easy way out, which ultimately leads to hurting others. The lyrics speak to the cycle of leaving destruction in one's wake and never taking the time to reflect and make a change.
Line by Line Meaning
You'll take advantage 'til you think you're being used
You exploit others only until you feel used
'Cause without an enemy your anger gets confused
Your anger needs a target, or it becomes aimless
And I got stuck on a side you know I never chose
I'm caught in the middle, without choosing a side
But it's all about taking the easy way out for you, I suppose
You always choose the path of least resistance
There's no escape for you, except in someone else
You can only find relief by making others suffer
Although you've already disappeared within yourself
You've lost touch with reality and retreated within yourself
The invisible man, who's always changing clothes
You are like a shape-shifter, always changing to suit your needs
While I watch you making mistakes
I see you self-destructing but can't intervene
I wish you luck, I really do
I hope you find your way, even though it seems unlikely
With the problem, with the puzzle
Whatever obstacle you are facing
Whatever's left of you
Whatever remains of your former self
I heard you found another audience to bore
You have moved on to exploit someone new
A creative thinker who imagined you were more
Someone who believed in you despite all evidence to the contrary
A new body for you to push around and pose
Someone new to control, manipulate, and use
It's all about taking the easy way out for you, I suppose
You will always choose the path of least resistance, no matter who gets hurt
Contributed by Caleb M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.