Out of Mind
Good Riddance Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Forget the shadows of experimental bliss
And all the efforts to consolidate our pride
For we can fight just as well
We can send them all to hell
With all the pomp and production of a tidewater bell
We are the ciphers of old and we'll do as we're told
So long as units are sold throughout the night
So many lines in the sand that we can't understand
Revert to closing the ranks on every shortsighted plan

[Chorus]
It's just society, anxiety
Sometimes it's like the story never ends
It's heresy, hypocrisy
And through our ignorance we suffer our revenge
So quick to throw the only truth we've ever known so far away

Too many times we've turned our backs on all the crimes
And passed it off as borrowed time that's not our own




But with the gravity of greed in all the lies we intercede
We take the pressure off the seat of those who revel in defeat

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Good Riddance's song "Out of Mind" speak to societal issues and the pressure for individuals and corporations to conform and sell products. The opening lines suggest that experimental and innovative ideas are cast aside in favor of prideful consolidation. The band then asserts that they are willing to fight and create a spectacle, but ultimately are beholden to selling units. They criticize the arbitrary lines in the sand that people draw and their inability to comprehend the bigger picture, leading to shortsighted plans that need to be reverted.


The chorus emphasizes the cyclical and enduring nature of societal problems. The repetition of certain issues, like anxiety, heresy, and hypocrisy, demonstrate the human tendency to repeat mistakes rather than learn from them. The line "through our ignorance we suffer our revenge" suggests that society's lack of awareness leads to its own downfall. The final lines criticize complacency and apathy in the face of injustice, with Good Riddance asserting that those who benefit from defeat will continue to do so without pressure to change.


Overall, "Out of Mind" is a commentary on societal norms and pressures, and the difficulty of creating change within that framework. It reveals the band's frustration with the system and their desire to break free from it.


Line by Line Meaning

Forget the shadows of experimental bliss
Let go of our idealistic dreams and desires


And all the efforts to consolidate our pride
Stop trying to establish our superiority over others


For we can fight just as well
We are capable of standing up for ourselves


We can send them all to hell
We can defeat our enemies and come out victorious


With all the pomp and production of a tidewater bell
We can make a grand show of our strength


We are the ciphers of old and we'll do as we're told
We are like anonymous, obedient followers of tradition


So long as units are sold throughout the night
As long as our products sell, we are content


So many lines in the sand that we can't understand
There are too many divisions and conflicts we can't comprehend


Revert to closing the ranks on every shortsighted plan
Let's come together and support even flawed strategies


It's just society, anxiety
Our problems stem from societal pressures and worries


Sometimes it's like the story never ends
Our struggles feel endless and never resolved


It's heresy, hypocrisy
Society's expectations and behaviors are contradictory and misguided


And through our ignorance we suffer our revenge
Our unwise choices lead to negative consequences for ourselves


So quick to throw the only truth we've ever known so far away
We easily abandon our core beliefs and principles


Too many times we've turned our backs on all the crimes
We've ignored numerous wrongs and injustices


And passed it off as borrowed time that's not our own
We justify our inaction by claiming it's not our responsibility


But with the gravity of greed in all the lies we intercede
Our own greed and dishonesty contributes to the problem


We take the pressure off the seat of those who revel in defeat
Our complacency benefits those who enjoy others' failures




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JAMES RANDALL FREUD

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found

More Versions