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.
The Hammer Guy Is at It Again
Hot Mulligan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To carry broken bodies back from suicidal- tendencies
So take my breath, it′s what you'll get
Another second to regret
The times you took and kept my everything
It′s never been my selflessness
My car is not a taxi service
Cry into your pillow for the people who don't want you anymore
It was the perfect place to finally come- through
Opportunities at funerals that aren't meant- for you
You picked your place as the widow to a- stranger
Shoot back your pride with pity as a chaser
And drunkenly drive yourself home
I hope you end up all alone
I know you just fell out of love
Soak up the feeling and know that it′s what you deserve
And maybe if you wanted to mend what was broke
Then I′d understand where your empathy goes
The light in your chest is no longer exposed
The cold of your heart freezes ice to the roads
You know I'm broke
Each train of thought feels meaningless
If Bible School has taught you all the qualities you could improve
The cross around your neck has all but lost the purpose meant for you
So try and see yourself as what you are
That′s righteous to yourself
As though your body isn't full of hell
You′ll break over the pictures
Where your beauty once meant anything to me
In that church was the last time I saw you
I thought maybe you'd fix me
That′s not how these things work
It was the perfect place to finally come through
Opportunities at funerals that aren't meant for you
You picked your place as the widow to a stranger
Shoot back your pride with pity as a chaser
And drunkenly drive yourself home
I hope you end up all alone
I know you just fell out of love
Soak up the feeling and know that it's what you deserve
It was the perfect place to finally come through
Opportunities at funerals that aren′t meant for you
You picked your place as the widow to a stranger
Shoot back your pride with pity as a chaser
And drunkenly drive yourself home
I hope you end up all alone
I know you just fell out of love
Soak up the feeling and know that it′s what you deserve
The lyrics to "The Hammer Guy Is at It Again" by Hot Mulligan are about not being able to save someone who is dealing with suicidal tendencies or who has just fallen out of love. The singer is relaying the message that they want to help, but they can't be the ambulance that carries broken bodies back from the brink of suicide. The song talks about the frustration of the singer when they see someone they care about not taking care of themselves, constantly making mistakes, and not learning from them. The chorus is about opportunities at funerals and how they aren't meant for people like the singer.
The song takes a turn when the singer talks about how the person they're talking about isn't actually trying to mend anything that's broken. They're not taking responsibility for their actions, and they're not learning from their mistakes. The song ends with the singer wishing that the person they care about would see themselves as they are and become righteous to themselves, but they know that this might not ever happen.
Overall, the song is a powerful message about dealing with difficult people in life and the frustration that can come with trying to help them.
Line by Line Meaning
You wanted help, but I am not the ambulance
I am not capable of providing the level of support you need.
To carry broken bodies back from suicidal tendencies
I cannot rescue you from your desire to harm yourself.
So take my breath, it's what you'll get
I am willing to offer what little comfort I can provide.
Another second to regret
But ultimately, you will be left with nothing but remorse.
The times you took and kept my everything
You have taken so much from me without giving anything in return.
It's never been my selflessness
I have always been aware of your selfishness.
My car is not a taxi service
I am not at your beck and call, ready to provide rides whenever you need them.
Cry into your pillow for the people who don't want you anymore
You should mourn the loss of those who have abandoned you, not seek comfort from me.
It was the perfect place to finally come- through
The funeral was a prime opportunity to make a change.
Opportunities at funerals that aren't meant- for you
But you have no place at these events that are not really meant for you.
You picked your place as the widow to a- stranger
You have chosen to play a role that doesn't belong to you.
Shoot back your pride with pity as a chaser
Your self-pity is just a way to mask your pride and ego.
And drunkenly drive yourself home
You are making reckless choices that put yourself and others in danger.
I hope you end up all alone
I do not wish you ill, but I hope you are able to confront your problems independently.
I know you just fell out of love
Your actions are a result of your own heartbreak and disappointment.
Soak up the feeling and know that it's what you deserve
You must accept the consequences of your choices, even if they are painful.
And maybe if you wanted to mend what was broke
If you truly wanted to repair the damage, I would be open to hearing you out.
Then I'd understand where your empathy goes
I would be able to empathize with your situation and struggles.
The light in your chest is no longer exposed
You have lost touch with the positive qualities that once defined you.
The cold of your heart freezes ice to the roads
Your emotional coldness is spreading, affecting others who cross your path.
You know I'm broke
I am struggling, too.
Each train of thought feels meaningless
I am having a difficult time finding purpose and direction in my life.
If Bible School has taught you all the qualities you could improve
If religious teachings have failed to instill basic values of compassion and empathy, what hope is there for you?
The cross around your neck has all but lost the purpose meant for you
Even your religious symbols and beliefs have lost meaning and relevance in your life.
So try and see yourself as what you are
You need to view yourself in a more realistic and honest light.
That's righteous to yourself
You should aim to act in a morally upright manner, but do it for your own well-being, not to impress others.
As though your body isn't full of hell
You need to find a way to escape the negative forces that are consuming you.
You'll break over the pictures
Looking back at old memories will only bring you pain.
Where your beauty once meant anything to me
The qualities that once made you attractive to me have all but faded.
In that church was the last time I saw you
Our final interaction took place in a place of worship.
I thought maybe you'd fix me
I held onto the hope that you would be the solution to my problems.
That's not how these things work
I have come to realize that nobody else can fix me but myself.
Writer(s): Nathan Joseph Sanville, Christopher S Freeman, Garrett Ryan Brown, Ryan Michael Malicsi
Contributed by Gabriella J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.