steps
Good Riddance Lyrics


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When I beat my head against the wall of convention
The blood I taste is everyone's
I fought a battle thought unpopular
For stakes nobody seems to see
Nobody sees but me

one step forward
Two steps back
Come on and try me

my pain is the pain of children
My heart is burning with their shame
When mother cries all day
I'll wipe those tears away
You can't grow up healthy in a house of

for every father holding back the angry fire until five
When it festers on the drive




His boss has shamed him to tears
He should "take it like a man" but he never had a man to tell him

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "Steps" by Good Riddance captures the anguish and frustration of being an outsider in a world that tends to reward conformity. The opening line refers to the futility of challenging conventional norms, particularly those that are widely accepted but flawed. The singer metaphorically depicts the physical and mental toll of such resistance by referencing the blood he tastes as everyone's. This reinforces the idea that change is a collective effort and that one person's struggle for a better society affects everyone else.


The second verse references the singer's struggle to fight for a cause that nobody seems to care about or understand. It takes courage and conviction to go against the grain, but it often comes at the cost of being isolated and ostracized. The repeated line "nobody sees but me" suggests that the singer feels invisible and unheard but persists in his fight anyway. The chorus, "one step forward, two steps back, come on and try me," reinforces the idea of resilience and determination in the face of obstacles.


The third verse shifts the focus to the pain and suffering of others, particularly children. The singer empathizes with their struggles and feels their shame deeply. He also recognizes the impact of toxic masculinity and absentee fathers on children's well-being. The line "you can't grow up healthy in a house of" implies that certain things, such as love and support, are essential for children to thrive. The final line of the song "he never had a man to tell him" suggests that positive role models are crucial for young men to grow up emotionally healthy and well-adjusted.


Line by Line Meaning

When I beat my head against the wall of convention
I try to break free from societal norms, but it's painful and difficult


The blood I taste is everyone's
The pressure to conform affects everyone and causes harm


I fought a battle thought unpopular
I struggle to stand up for what's right, even if it's not popular


For stakes nobody seems to see
The consequences of not challenging the status quo are not immediately obvious


Nobody sees but me
The pain and struggle of resistance is often unseen and unrecognized


One step forward
Making progress towards overcoming obstacles


Two steps back
Facing setbacks and challenges during the struggle


Come on and try me
Encouragement to others who might be facing similar challenges


My pain is the pain of children
I empathize with the suffering of those who are vulnerable and ignored


My heart is burning with their shame
I feel a deep sense of anger and sadness on behalf of those who are marginalized


When mother cries all day
The pain and sadness of mothers is often overlooked


I'll wipe those tears away
I want to offer comfort and support to those who are hurting


You can't grow up healthy in a house of
The harm caused by dysfunctional families and abusive situations


For every father holding back the angry fire until five
The toxic culture of toxic masculinity and emotional suppression


When it festers on the drive
Bottled-up emotions can have dangerous consequences


His boss has shamed him to tears
The pressure to be successful at work and meet societal expectations can be overwhelming


He should "take it like a man" but he never had a man to tell him
The damaging effects of gender stereotypes and absent male role models




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Spirit Music Group, Songtrust Ave
Written by: MAURICE ERNEST GIBB, ROBIN HUGH GIBB, BARRY ALAN GIBB

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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