The reference is to how Ruffin tried to change the Temptations' name to “David Ruffin and The Temptations,” which Motown had done with “Diana Ross and The Supremes.” Ruffin overestimated his popularity and was fired from the group in 1968 when he alienated his band mates with his ego and histrionics. Although he was a very talented singer and performed lead vocals on many of The Temptations hits, the group went on without him and had several more hits; Ruffin died of a cocaine overdose in 1991. The song is a warning about the trappings of fame, and if Fall Out Boy kept the original title, they would have risked a lawsuit from Ruffin’s estate. Wentz’s lyrics lament the prospect of fame, and how it will change them.
Many mistakenly believe the original title was “I Loved You So Much More Before You Were a MySpace Whore”. It is actually a joke from Rolling Stones Magazine.
The song is introduced by the clicking of numerous cameras, the sound celebrities hear as they walk down the red carpet.
Our Lawyer Made Us Change the Name of This Song So We Wouldn't Get Sued
Fall Out Boy Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Take my advice ('cause we are bad news!)
We will leave you high and dry
It's not worth the hearing you'll lose
It's just past 8 and I'm feeling young and reckless
The ribbon on my wrist says, "do not open before Christmas"
We're only good for the latest trends
We're only good 'cause you can have almost famous friends
Besides, we've got such good fashion sense
Brothers and sisters, yeah, put these words down
Into your notebook (spit lines like these)
We're friends when you're on your knees
Make them dance like we were shooting their feet
It's just past 8 and I'm feeling young and reckless
The ribbon on my wrist says, "do not open before Christmas"
We're only liars, but we're the best (we're the best)
We're only good for the latest trend
We're only good 'cause you can have almost famous friends
Besides, we've got such good fashion sense
We're only liars, but we're the best
We're only good for the latest trend
We're only liars, but we're the best
We're only good for the latest trend
We're only good 'cause you can have almost famous friends
Besides, we've got such good fashion sense
The opening lines of "Our Lawyer Made Us Change The Name Of This Song So We Wouldn't Get Sued" by Fall Out Boy immediately set the tone for the song, warning listeners to put the record down and take their advice because they are "bad news." The band acknowledges that they will leave their listeners "high and dry," but also notes that it's not worth losing their hearing over it. The lyrics seem to be directed at both the listener and the music industry itself, with Fall Out Boy poking fun at the idea of being "liars" who are only good for helping people stay on the latest trends and rubbing elbows with "almost famous" friends.
The references to being "young and reckless" and the ribbon on the wrist that says "do not open before Christmas" indicate a sense of rebellion against authority and a desire to break rules. The lines "we're friends when you're on your knees" and "make them dance like we were shooting their feet" further emphasize this idea of being a troublemaker or rule-breaker, encouraging their listeners to take note and follow their lead.
Overall, the lyrics to "Our Lawyer Made Us Change The Name Of This Song So We Wouldn't Get Sued" come off as sarcastic and satirical, with Fall Out Boy poking fun at themselves and the idea of being a popular band in the music industry. The song seems to be an inside joke for the band and their fans, and while there may not be a deep underlying meaning to the lyrics, they express a sense of rebellion and irreverence that many music fans can relate to.
Line by Line Meaning
Brothers and sisters put this record down
Listen up, folks
Take my advice ('cause we are bad news!)
Believe me, we're trouble
We will leave you high and dry
We'll abandon you
It's not worth the hearing you'll lose
It's not worth getting in trouble over
It's just past 8 and I'm feeling young and reckless
I'm feeling wild and adventurous
The ribbon on my wrist says, "do not open before Christmas"
I have a reminder to wait for something special
We're only liars, but we're the best (we're the best)
We're not honest, but we're skilled at it
We're only good for the latest trends
We're only useful for what's popular
We're only good 'cause you can have almost famous friends
We're only worth knowing because we have connections
Besides, we've got such good fashion sense
But hey, we do dress well
Into your notebook (spit lines like these)
Write down our words (use them as inspiration)
We're friends when you're on your knees
We're only there for you when you're at your lowest
Make them dance like we were shooting their feet
Make people move to our beat, even if it hurts
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Andrew John Hurley, Joseph Mark Trohman, Patrick Martin Stump, Peter Lewis Wentz
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind