Read Full Bio ↴Reg Vermue, a.k.a. Gentleman Reg, is a Canadian indie singer-songwriter.
Members of Royal City and The Constantines regularly appear as Vermue's supporting band on his solo recordings. He has regularly performed with The Hidden Cameras and Final Fantasy, aswell as contributing vocals on the Final Fantasy LP 'Has A Good Home'.
Don't Bring Me Down
Gentleman Reg Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Still all is dark but I'm on my way
What is it that I just left worn out
Thought that I understood
I just can't
I just can't
Strewn across the floor are my thoughts broken
Spun around too much it's a shame I'm no dancer
I just might tumble to my face
To my face
Don't bring me down, boy
I needed you
A life afraid and wasted while I get us through
I'll hold this pair in place so resemblance is fine
I won't take shotgun seats or wait in line
Don't bring me down, boy
I needed you
A life afraid and wasted while I get us through
I'll hold this pair in place so resemblance is fine
I won't take shotgun seats or wait in line
Noticing all the new creases in the mirror
Realizing for once the true expression on my face
Why did I throw back all that doubt in my head
I'm not the happy boy I used to be
Used to be
Don't bring me down, boy
I needed you
A life afraid and wasted while I get us through
I'll hold this pair in place so resemblance is fine
I won't take shotgun seats or wait in line
The lyrics to Gentleman Reg's song "Don't Bring Me Down" contain a deeply personal and introspective exploration of the singer's emotional state. The first verse starts with the singer feeling somewhat lost and uncertain, trying to move forward through the dark despite feeling worn out and bewildered. The second verse features a metaphor of the singer's thoughts strewn across the floor, broken and no longer perfectly in place. This could represent the singer's state of mind and mental health, which have been negatively impacted by some series of events or circumstances. The singer admits to feeling like he might "tumble to [his] face", highlighting an underlying feeling of vulnerability and self-doubt.
The chorus of "Don't Bring Me Down" is the most memorable part of the song, and it serves as a rallying cry for the singer's inner strength and resilience. The singer isn't asking for anyone else to fix his problems - instead, he says he "needed you", but it's not quite clear who this "you" refers to. It could be a specific person, or it could be a metaphorical representation of something else entirely, such as a sense of purpose, hope, or direction. The singer declares that he won't take "shotgun seats or wait in line", signaling a determination to take control of his own life and move it in the direction he wants rather than being passive or submissive.
Overall, "Don't Bring Me Down" is a captivating and emotionally resonant song that captures the struggle of grappling with difficult emotions while trying to maintain a sense of self-worth and direction. The raw honesty and vulnerability of the lyrics are complemented by the simple yet effective melody and instrumentation, providing a poignant backdrop for the singer's journey of self-discovery.
Line by Line Meaning
Held out my hand this morning
Starting a new day with an open mind
Still all is dark but I'm on my way
Despite darkness, moving forward with hope
What is it that I just left worn out
Questioning what caused fatigue and exhaustion
Thought that I understood
Believed to have comprehended the situation
I just can't
Unable to comprehend or move forward
Strewn across the floor are my thoughts broken
Feeling scattered and disoriented mentally
Once I did think they were all perfectly in place
Previously felt organized and rational
Spun around too much it's a shame I'm no dancer
Overwhelmed and unable to cope with uncertainty
I just might tumble to my face
Fear of failure or embarrassment
Don't bring me down, boy
Asking someone to not add to the feeling of defeat
I needed you
Dependent on someone else's support
A life afraid and wasted while I get us through
Living in fear and lacking direction
I'll hold this pair in place so resemblance is fine
Holding things together to maintain appearance
I won't take shotgun seats or wait in line
Refusing to be passive or complacent
Noticing all the new creases in the mirror
Recognizing physical signs of stress and aging
Realizing for once the true expression on my face
Becoming aware of one's genuine emotions
Why did I throw back all that doubt in my head
Questioning why negative thoughts were entertained
I'm not the happy boy I used to be
Feeling a loss of happiness or contentment
Contributed by Maria F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.