Friends And Lovers
Incubus Lyrics


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I'm a ne'er do well
Runnin' off black and gold
It's high time I pulled over
And walked around a while

I've seen that porcelain shell
Erect some skeleton
And I feel like we'd walk well together
Because in the end, we are friends and lovers

If asked of me I would
Gobble them to bits
The things that wall us off from
Where we belong

What's wrong with you is good
For what's wrong with me
And I think maybe we should stick together
Because in the end, we are friends and lovers
We are friends and lovers

Abandon all the bold
We've got to pick
They only weigh us down and
We're better than that

If they all throw stones
Start a collection
Of everything we're not
And what's because
You should never have to defend
Being friends and lovers

Being friends and lovers




Oh oh oh oh oh
Being friends and lovers

Overall Meaning

The first line of the song, “I'm a ne'er do well,” implies that the singer is someone who is not really interested in conforming to societal norms. Throughout the song, he presents a rebellious attitude towards the “things that wall us off from where we belong.” The black and gold he speaks of may be a metaphor for the alluring yet destructive things that occupy our lives, that keeps us in a self-destructive cycle, thus the need to pull over and “walk around a while.”


The chorus is where the real meaning of the song starts to shine through. When he says, “Because in the end, we are friends and lovers,” he means that despite our differences and the things that separate us, we all have something in common. That’s what makes us friends and lovers. The singer seems to be drawn to someone who may be as rebellious as him and not afraid to go against the norm.


The message of the song then becomes quite straightforward - the world encourages us to be different and not get too close to each other, but in the end, we are all the same. Society highlights the differences between us, but what really binds us together is the things that we have in common.


Line by Line Meaning

I'm a ne'er do well
I'm someone who doesn't conform to society's expectations


Runnin' off black and gold
I'm chasing material possessions and wealth


It's high time I pulled over
I need to take a break and relax


And walked around a while
I need to gain a new perspective


I've seen that porcelain shell
I've observed that appearances can be deceiving


Erect some skeleton
Beneath the surface, we are all the same


And I feel like we'd walk well together
I sense a connection between us


Because in the end, we are friends and lovers
Our relationship is not defined by labels, but by our connection


If asked of me I would
I would do anything for you


Gobble them to bits
I would consume anything that stands in our way


The things that wall us off from
The obstacles that keep us apart


Where we belong
Together, with each other


What's wrong with you is good
Our differences make us stronger


For what's wrong with me
My flaws and imperfections


And I think maybe we should stick together
We'll face any challenge together


Abandon all the bold
Let go of our fears and doubts


We've got to pick
We must choose our battles wisely


They only weigh us down and
Our fears and doubts hold us back


We're better than that
We're stronger than our fears and doubts


If they all throw stones
If others criticize us


Start a collection
Keep a record of the things that make us unique


Of everything we're not
Our imperfections and flaws


And what's because
What makes us who we are


You should never have to defend
Our bond as friends and lovers needs no justification


Being friends and lovers
Our relationship is based on mutual respect and love


Oh oh oh oh oh


Being friends and lovers
Our love transcends all labels and expectations




Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Benjamin Lee Kenney, Brandon Charles Boyd, Christopher E Kilmore, Jose Anthony Ii Pasillas, Michael Aaron Einziger

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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