Leech
Incubus Lyrics


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Does it make you envy?
Does it make you proud?
To tuck the world into a paper bag
This body's state of "I'm OK, you're not OK"
Yes, men, too, could be on the rag

I'm over my head I need a pick-me-up
Its easy to get high when you're standing on our backs, man
Would anything ever be good enough for you?
Stand on your own, hold your water if you can

The ride's over, did you enjoy yourself?
The ride's over, fair thee well
The ride's over, did you enjoy yourself?
The ride's over, fair thee well
Not on my time

It isn't fair to mention, but it awes the crowd
Your fictional, plastic alibi
So take another hit, steal another line
Did you ever meet a leech who was good at goodbyes?

When you were down I always picked you up
Why didn't I recognize that everything was never fine?
I'm kicking myself that I shared spit with you
So fuck yourself
And fuck this bleeding heart of mine

The ride's over, did you enjoy yourself?
The ride's over, fair thee well
The ride's over, did you enjoy yourself?
The ride's over, fair thee well
Not on my time

When you were down I always picked you up
Why didn't I recognize that everything was never fine?
I'm kicking myself that I shared spit with you
So fuck yourself and fuck this bleeding heart of mine

The ride's over, did you enjoy yourself?
The ride's over, fair thee well
The ride's over, did you enjoy yourself?
The ride's over, fair thee well





The ride's over

Overall Meaning

"Leech" is a song by Incubus that encompasses themes of betrayal, resentment, and disillusionment towards a former friend or lover. The lyrics suggest that the persona in the song felt used and taken advantage of because they always picked the other person up when they were down without receiving the same in return. The line "not on my time" could imply that the persona is taking revenge on the other person by refusing to give them any more attention, especially when they needed it.


The persona questions whether the other person feels envious or proud of themselves for being able to put up a front and pretend that everything is okay even when it's not. They also acknowledge that men too can be emotionally unstable and have mood swings like women do while on their period. This could imply that the persona is trying to relate to the other person's emotional struggles, but it never resulted in a two-way relationship.


The chorus "the ride's over, did you enjoy yourself, fair thee well" signifies the end of the friendship or relationship, and the persona is letting go of any lingering feelings of hope or optimism for a better future. They are finally standing up for themselves and telling the other person to "fuck off" and leaving the past behind.


Line by Line Meaning

Does it make you envy?
Do you feel envious?


Does it make you proud?
Do you feel proud?


To tuck the world into a paper bag
To hide the flaws and issues of the world


This body's state of "I'm OK, you're not OK"
The body's state of superiority complex


Yes, men, too, could be on the rag
Men can also be emotionally unstable


I'm over my head I need a pick-me-up
I am overwhelmed and need some form of motivation or encouragement


Its easy to get high when you're standing on our backs, man
It is easy to take advantage of others for your own benefit


Would anything ever be good enough for you?
Are you ever satisfied?


Stand on your own, hold your water if you can
Be independent and take responsibility for your actions


The ride's over, did you enjoy yourself?
The experience is over, did you have fun?


The ride's over, fair thee well
The experience is over, goodbye


Not on my time
It will not happen during my time or under my watch


It isn't fair to mention, but it awes the crowd
It is not fair to bring it up, but it impresses the audience


Your fictional, plastic alibi
Your fake excuse


So take another hit, steal another line
To continue to indulge in negative behavior, to copy others


Did you ever meet a leech who was good at goodbyes?
Have you ever encountered someone who takes advantage of others and can easily move on?


When you were down I always picked you up
I was always there for you when you were struggling


Why didn't I recognize that everything was never fine?
Why did I not see that things were not okay?


I'm kicking myself that I shared spit with you
I regret ever being involved with you


So fuck yourself
Expressing anger and frustration towards someone else


And fuck this bleeding heart of mine
And the emotions that I am feeling


The ride's over, did you enjoy yourself?
The experience is over, did you have fun?


The ride's over, fair thee well
The experience is over, goodbye


The ride's over, did you enjoy yourself?
The experience is over, did you have fun?


The ride's over, fair thee well
The experience is over, goodbye


The ride's over
The experience is over




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BEN KENNEY, BRANDON BOYD, BRANDON CHARLES BOYD, CHRISTOPHER KILMORE, CHRISTOPHER E KILMORE, JOSE PASILLAS II, JOSE ANTHONY II PASILLAS, MICHAEL EINZIGER, MICHAEL AARON EINZIGER

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