The pre-chorus, "I've acquired quite a taste for a well-made mistake", suggests that the protagonist has learned to appreciate mistakes and the lessons they can bring. She is no longer afraid of making mistakes and wants to embrace them as part of her growth and exploration.
The chorus reflects the struggle between doing what society expects of us and doing what we truly want. The protagonist is torn between pleasing others and following her own desires and needs. The line "Almost always doing everybody good" suggests that she often puts others before herself, and the question "Why?" implies a sense of frustration and confusion about this pattern.
In the second verse, the protagonist expresses her desire to do the right thing but also resents feeling forced to explain herself to others. The repetition of the pre-chorus and chorus highlights the internal conflict of wanting to make mistakes and break free, but also feeling the pressure to conform and do what is expected.
Overall, "A Mistake" is a song about the struggle to balance personal desires and societal expectations, and the value of making mistakes as a means of growth and self-discovery.
Mistake
Fiona Apple Lyrics
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I'm gonna do it on purpose
I'm gonna waste my time
'Cause I'm full as a tick
And I'm scratching at the surface
And what I find is mine
And when the day is done and I look back
And the fact is I had fun
All the advice I shunned and I ran
Where they told me not to run
But I sure had fun
So I'm gonna fuck it up again
I'm gonna do another detour
Unpave my path
And if you wanna make sense
Whatcha lookin' at me for?
I'm no good at math
And when I find my way back
The fact is I just may stay
Or I may not
I've acquired quite a taste
For a well-made mistake
I wanna make a mistake
Why can't I make a mistake?
I'm always doing what I think I should
Almost always doing everybody good
Why?
Do I wanna do right?
Of course
But do I really wanna feel I'm forced to answer you?
Hell no
I've acquired quite a taste
For a well-made mistake
I wanna make a mistake
Why can't I make a mistake?
I'm always doing what I think I should
Almost always doing everybody good
Why? oh oh oh
Fiona Apple's "A Mistake" seems to be about the value of making mistakes and the satisfaction that can come from taking risks and exploring our own desires. In the first verse, she expresses a desire to waste her time, to scratch at the surface of things and find what is truly hers, even if it means disregarding the advice of others. The chorus reinforces this sentiment, with Fiona proclaiming that she wants to make mistakes and that she has "acquired quite a taste for a well-made mistake."
In the second verse, she speaks to the pressure she feels to always do what is "right" and "good" for everyone, but questions why she should feel forced to answer to anyone else. There seems to be a tension for her between following her own impulses and desires and fulfilling the expectations of others. By the end of the song, she seems to have resolved to continue making mistakes and following her own path, whether or not others understand or approve.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm gonna make a mistake
I plan on making a conscious decision that could lead to an unfortunate outcome
I'm gonna do it on purpose
I am intentionally seeking out this mistake
I'm gonna waste my time
I'm going to put effort into something that ultimately does not serve an important purpose
'Cause I'm full as a tick
I am completely satisfied and content with life as it is right now
And I'm scratching at the surface
Despite this surface-level happiness, I have an underlying need to explore and experience more
And what I find is mine
Anything I discover in my journey belongs to me and me alone
And when the day is done and I look back
When reflecting on the day and the actions I've taken
And the fact is I had fun
I realize that despite any mistakes or detours, I enjoyed myself
Fumbling around
I may have been unsure or lost at times
All the advice I shunned and I ran
I purposely ignored suggestions and warnings from others
Where they told me not to run
I pursued paths that I've been told are not the right ones to take
But I sure had fun
Despite any consequences, I enjoyed the ride
So I'm gonna fuck it up again
I'm ready for another mistake or deviation from the norm
I'm gonna do another detour
I plan on taking another route that veers from the norm
Unpave my path
I'm willing to remove the established path beneath me
And if you wanna make sense
If anyone is trying to understand me
Whatcha lookin' at me for?
Why are you even bothering?
I'm no good at math
I'm not great at following the expected formula for success
And when I find my way back
Once I have completed my journey and return to a familiar place
The fact is I just may stay
There is a possibility that I will decide to stay in this familiar place
Or I may not
Alternatively, I might choose to continue my journey
I've acquired quite a taste
I have developed a liking for
For a well-made mistake
A mistake that is deliberate and suits my intentions is something I consider a good experience
I wanna make a mistake
I'm craving another experience like the one a well-made mistake provides
Why can't I make a mistake?
I feel like I'm not allowed to take risks and make mistakes, and I question why that is.
I'm always doing what I think I should
I tend to follow what others believe I should do
Almost always doing everybody good
I try to make choices that benefit those around me
Why?
I am questioning why I always follow the 'correct' path
Do I wanna do right?
Do I truly desire to always make the correct decision?
Of course
Yes, stability and security in life are desirable qualities
But do I really wanna feel I'm forced to answer you?
However, I don't want to feel obligated to explain my choices to anyone else
Hell no
I don't want anyone telling me what to do or how to live my life
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Fiona Apple Maggart
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind