Everybody Cares Everybody Understands
Elliott Smith (album) Lyrics
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Yes everybody cares about you
Yeah and whether or not you want them to
It's a chemical embrace that kicks you in the head
To a pure synthetic sympathy that infuriates you totally
And a quiet lie that makes you want to scream and shout
So here I lay dreaming looking at the brilliant sun
Raining it's guiding light upon everyone
For a moment's rest you can lean against the banister
After running upstairs again and again
From wherever they came to fix you in
But always fear the city's finest follow right behind
You got a pretty vision in your head
A pencil full of poison lead
And a sickened smile illegal in every town
So here I lay dreaming looking at the brilliant sun
Raining its guiding light upon everyone
Here I lay dreaming looking at the brilliant sun
Raining its guiding light upon everyone
You say you mean well, you don't know what you mean
Fucking ought to stay the hell away from things you know nothing about
The lyrics of "Everybody Cares Everybody Understands" by Elliott Smith delve into the complexities of mental health and the way that society responds to it. The opening lines are an ironic statement because despite the fact that everyone seemingly "cares" and "understands," they often don't know how to truly help someone in crisis. The chemical embrace mentioned refers to medication, which can be both helpful and infuriating for those who need it. The quiet lie that makes you want to scream and shout could also be interpreted as the stigma surrounding mental illness, where people pretend to care but still hold negative beliefs about those who suffer from it.
The second verse touches on the idea that despite people's best intentions, they may not have the skills or resources to help others in need. The city's finest refers to police officers, who may be called to intervene in situations that require mental health expertise but may end up escalating the situation instead. The sickened smile could refer to a self-destructive behavior or attitude that someone with mental illness may exhibit. The use of the word "illegal" implies a sense of rebellion or outsider status.
The final stanza is a blunt statement directed at those who claim to "mean well" but lack the understanding or empathy necessary to truly help. It can be frustrating for those who struggle with mental illness to constantly be told what they "ought" to do by people who don't understand what they're going through.
Overall, "Everybody Cares Everybody Understands" is a powerful commentary on the challenges that come with navigating mental illness and the often ineffective ways that society tries to address it.
Line by Line Meaning
Everybody cares, everybody understands
Everyone seems to care and understand what you're going through
Yes everybody cares about you
It's true that people care about you
Yeah and whether or not you want them to
Even if you don't want their help or attention, they'll still give it to you
It's a chemical embrace that kicks you in the head
Their well-meaning gestures can end up hurting you instead
To a pure synthetic sympathy that infuriates you totally
Their sympathy might feel fake or forced, which only frustrates you more
And a quiet lie that makes you want to scream and shout
Their attempts to console you may feel like a lie, compelling you to lash out
So here I lay dreaming looking at the brilliant sun
In this moment of repose, the sun seems to offer a guiding light for everyone
Raining it's guiding light upon everyone
The sun is providing a guiding light for everyone
For a moment's rest you can lean against the banister
You can take a brief respite and lean against the stair railing
After running upstairs again and again
Perhaps you're exhausted from constantly trying to escape or fix your problems
From wherever they came to fix you in
Others are trying to help you, but it almost feels like they're trapping you in a situation you can't control
But always fear the city's finest follow right behind
You can't even find solace in being alone, as you worry someone might come after you, like the police
You got a pretty vision in your head
Although you're struggling, you might have a hopeful dream of the future
A pencil full of poison lead
Your wishful thinking might be misplaced or destructive
And a sickened smile illegal in every town
Even if you're trying to put on a brave face, it might be masking something dark or wrong
So here I lay dreaming looking at the brilliant sun
Again, the sun seems to offer guidance and hope
Raining its guiding light upon everyone
Once again, the sun is providing its light for everyone
You say you mean well, you don't know what you mean
Even if people are trying to help, they might not understand your situation or what you're truly feeling
Fucking ought to stay the hell away from things you know nothing about
If someone can't comprehend what you're going through, it's probably better if they stay out of it altogether
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: STEVEN P. SMITH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind