Since 2014, the five-piece has gained ground for their earnest approach to songwriting, melding together the ferocious riffs of pop punk’s latest wave with the tenacious vulnerability of indie rock. The marriage is one shared by many bands, but on Opportunities - their latest EP earning a re-release via No Sleep Records - the courtship entangles itself in new territories, mostly in those characterized by cavernous percussion, hooks so buoyant they bob up and down, and guitar and synth interplay that belong to a much older, bolder band.
The future is full of other excuses to keep moving, and for Hot Mulligan, they’re easily jumping at the chance to speed up.
Jimmy Neutron Had a Dog So Why Can't I Have a Friend?
Hot Mulligan Lyrics
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the truth is that I can't spend enough
Fix my social distrust
with something pumping gas instead of blood
Hours are nothing to automaton something
Agree with me please
don't act like I'm shunning
connections and friends for simple synapses
Now that we're unable to pretend we are stable
I am building my better friends from the scraps that I find in my basement
Now that we're unable to pretend we are stable
I am building my better friends from the scraps that I find in my basement
It's beginning to talk and it said that I didn't try enough
That I should just give up
Then it left with most my stuff
Blueprints all said, "Fail first. Try again."
Just like you said, "The first time you'll fuck up, but always you'll try again."
Now that we're unable to pretend we are stable, (I wish I was stable again)
I am building my better friends from the scraps that I find in my basement
Now that we're unable to pretend we are stable, (I wish I was stable again)
I am building my better friends from the scraps that I find in my basement
If this is what you call human
this is what I call desperate
If this is what you call human
this is what I call desperate
If this is what you call human
well this is what I call desperate
If this is what you call human
well this is what I call desperate
well this is what I call desperate
You gave me all these blistered fingers
over metal shards and oiled fixtures
Fuck you and fuck me even harder
Tell me why'd I even bother
You gave me all these blistered fingers
over metal shards and oiled fixtures
Fuck you and fuck me even harder
Tell me why'd I even bother
Now that we're unable to pretend we are stable, (I wish I was stable again)
I am building my better friends from the scraps that I find in my basement
Now that we're unable to pretend we are stable, (I wish I was stable again)
I am building my better friends from the scraps that I find in my basement
The lyrics to "Jimmy Neutron Had a Dog So Why Can't I Have a Friend?" by Hot Mulligan depict the struggles of building social connections and the pain of failed relationships. The singer is struggling to overcome their social distrust and is searching for friends who can help fill the void left by lost connections. They are attempting to build "better friends" from scraps found in their basement, seemingly referring to the remnants of past relationships. They feel that love doesn't work, and the people they have been with are proof of that.
The singer has come to the realization that they can no longer pretend to be stable and that they are desperate for human connection. They express their frustration with someone who caused them pain, saying "Fuck you and fuck me even harder, tell me why'd I even bother." The song ends with the singer continuing to build their better friends from the pieces they find.
Overall, the lyrics of the song convey a sense of loneliness and the difficulties of building and maintaining relationships. The singer is struggling to trust others and is using the remnants of past relationships to try and create new ones.
Line by Line Meaning
The bill can't be too much
I can't afford to pay too much for socializing
the truth is that I can't spend enough
I don't have enough money to fix my social issues
Fix my social distrust
Help me overcome my lack of trust in people
with something pumping gas instead of blood
with something mechanical instead of emotional
Hours are nothing to automaton something
I don't mind spending a lot of time with a machine
Agree with me please
Please understand my point of view
don't act like I'm shunning
Don't treat me like an outsider
connections and friends for simple synapses
I prefer electronic connections over personal connections
Love doesn't work, and you're proof of that happening
I don't believe in romantic love, and you're an example of why
Now that we're unable to pretend we are stable
Now that we can't pretend to be okay
I am building my better friends from the scraps that I find in my basement
I am trying to create better relationships with whatever resources I have
It's beginning to talk and it said that I didn't try enough
I feel like the machine I'm using for companionship is judging me for not trying hard enough
That I should just give up
The machine is suggesting that I should stop trying to make friends
Then it left with most my stuff
The machine took some of my possessions and left
Blueprints all said, "Fail first. Try again."
The instructions for building a better relationship say to expect failure and keep trying
Just like you said, "The first time you'll fuck up, but always you'll try again."
Just like you said, failure is expected but perseverance is key
If this is what you call human
If relying on machines for companionship is considered human
this is what I call desperate
I consider it to be a desperate measure
You gave me all these blistered fingers
You caused me physical pain while building something that didn't work
over metal shards and oiled fixtures
From working with sharp metal objects and greasy machinery
Fuck you and fuck me even harder
I blame both of us for the failure of the relationship
Tell me why'd I even bother
Questioning why I even tried to create a better friendship
Contributed by Sebastian R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.