Save The Children
Good Riddance Lyrics


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Not the one to live or die alone
Or keep a chain around the telephone
If there's a fortune at my fingers it'll be a crime
Struck down on the dirty floor
Ten locks on the cellar door
I haven't slept for weeks and I'm doing fine

In a better world I'd save the children overseas
In another life I'd play a meaner brand of god
Such good intentions never standing in the fore
And I swear it's me never letting go

You can't fail if you've never tried
Crouched down from the view outside
Foot steps in time with a ticking heart
So tired of the endless days




Payback for my selfish ways
Feels like I've lost before I even start

Overall Meaning

The song "Save The Children" by Good Riddance touches upon several themes, with its lyrics exploring the idea of feeling powerless and trapped. The opening lines of the song describe how the singer is not suited to living by himself or being restricted to just a phone chain. The use of the word 'fortune' suggests that the singer may have access to resources or money, but this is not enough for him. The lyrics convey a sense of frustration and unfairness at his circumstances, as though he is confined to a dirty, hopeless space with no room for growth or change.


The lines in the chorus of the song suggest that the singer wants to do more with his life and have a greater impact on the world, particularly in overseas countries, but he feels inhibited by his own limitations. He talks about 'good intentions' but how they never seem to make it to the forefront of his own reality. The singer expresses a desire to hold on to his current situation, as he feels as though he cannot fail if he does not try. In the final lines of the song, the singer seems to accept his own fate, acknowledging that he has lost before even starting.


Overall, the lyrics convey a sense of inescapable hopelessness, with the singer feeling trapped by his own life circumstances and societal expectations. The song highlights the importance of breaking free from our own limitations in order to make an impact in the world, but also acknowledges how difficult this can be.


Line by Line Meaning

Not the one to live or die alone
I don't want to be alone in life or at the time of death


Or keep a chain around the telephone
I don't want to hold myself back from experiencing life by being glued to my phone


If there's a fortune at my fingers it'll be a crime
If I don't use my money for the greater good, it will be like committing a crime


Struck down on the dirty floor
It feels like I have been knocked down to my knees


Ten locks on the cellar door
I have locked myself away and I feel trapped


I haven't slept for weeks and I'm doing fine
Even though I haven't had proper rest in weeks, I am still surviving


In a better world I'd save the children overseas
I wish I could help children in need in other parts of the world where war and poverty exists


In another life I'd play a meaner brand of god
If I had a chance to start over, I would change the way things are in the world


Such good intentions never standing in the fore
Despite having good intentions, I can't seem to make them come to life


And I swear it's me never letting go
I am determined to not give up on my aspirations


You can't fail if you've never tried
If you haven't tried, then you won't have failed either


Crouched down from the view outside
I am too scared to face what the world has to offer


Foot steps in time with a ticking heart
I am nervous and scared as I take each step


So tired of the endless days
I am weary of the same old routine every day


Payback for my selfish ways
Life is making me pay for my self-centered behavior


Feels like I've lost before I even start
I feel like I have already failed even before I have begun




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS

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