It debuted a style Johnson would employ regularly throughout his career. Although the guitar sounds laid-back, and his reputation as a relaxed surfer is legendary, he’d combine innocent acoustic guitar riffs with very potent emotions.
This track was the first of two singles from his debut record, and it went platinum in the UK.
Flake
Jack Johnson Lyrics
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You can make it up next time
I know she knows, it's not right
There ain't no use in lying
Maybe she thinks I know something
Maybe, maybe she thinks it's fine
Maybe she knows something I don't
I'm so, I'm so tired, I'm so tired of trying
It seems to me that maybe
It pretty much always means, no
So don't tell me, you might just let it go
And often times we're lazy
It seems to stand in my way
'Cause no one, no not, no one
Likes to be let down
I know she loves the sunrise
No longer sees it with her sleeping eyes
And I know that when she said, she's gonna try
Well, it might not work because of other ties and
I know she usually has some other ties
And I wouldn't wanna break 'em, nah, I wouldn't wanna break 'em
Maybe she'll help me to untie this, but
Until then well, I'm gonna have to lie to her
It seems to me that maybe
It pretty much always means, no
So don't tell me, you might just let it go
And often times we're lazy
It seems to stand in my way
'Cause no one, no not, no one
Likes to be let down
It seems to me that maybe
It pretty much always means, no
So don't tell me, you might just let it go
The harder that you try baby, the further you'll fall
Even with all the money in the whole wide world
Please, please, please don't pass me
Please, please, please don't pass me
Please, please, please don't pass me by
Everything you know about me now, baby you gonna have to change
You goin' to call it, by a brand new name
Please, please, please don't drag me
Please, please, please don't drag me
Please, please, please don't drag me down
Just like your tree, down by the water, baby I shall not move
Even after all the silly things you do
Please, please, please don't drag me
Please, please, please don't drag me
Please, please, please don't drag me down
The song "Flake" by Jack Johnson features lyrics that explore the complex emotions surrounding a relationship that might be approaching its end. The singer is tired of trying and the woman in question seems distant despite assuring him that everything is alright. The repeated refrain "It seems to me that maybe, it pretty much always means no" suggests that the relationship has soured, and that the woman in question isn't interested in moving forward.
The lyrics suggest that despite wanting to salvage things, the singer is resigned to the fact that the problems in the relationship are insurmountable. Lines like "maybe she'll help me to untie this, but until then, well, I'm gonna have to lie to her" illustrate the singer's frustration with the situation. The refrain "please, please, please don't drag me down" underscores this feeling of being trapped and wanting to break free.
Overall, "Flake" is a song that captures the nuanced emotions surrounding a relationship that might be coming to an end despite efforts to save it.
Line by Line Meaning
I know she said, it's alright
I understand her words as she said it's fine
You can make it up next time
I should try again in the future
I know she knows, it's not right
Even if she's pretending, she knows it's not okay
There ain't no use in lying
There's no point in lying to oneself or to each other
Maybe she thinks I know something
She might believe that I understand something she doesn't
Maybe, maybe she thinks it's fine
Perhaps she thinks it's acceptable but still unsure
Maybe she knows something I don't
She might have knowledge that I do not have
I'm so, I'm so tired, I'm so tired of trying
I'm exhausted from trying so hard to please her
It seems to me that maybe
I feel like there's a chance that
It pretty much always means, no
It usually implies rejection or disapproval
So don't tell me, you might just let it go
Do not give me a false hope
And often times we're lazy
We tend to procrastinate or not put in much effort
It seems to stand in my way
It hinders my progress
'Cause no one, no not, no one
No one likes being let down or disappointed
Likes to be let down
I know she loves the sunrise
She finds pleasure in watching the dawn
No longer sees it with her sleeping eyes
She missed the sunrise cause she's asleep
And I know that when she said, she's gonna try
I'm aware when she made an effort
Well, it might not work because of other ties and
Her commitment to someone else can thwart her efforts
I know she usually has some other ties
She's typically involved with someone else
And I wouldn't wanna break 'em, nah, I wouldn't wanna break 'em
I don't want to interfere with her relationship
Maybe she'll help me to untie this, but
She might lend me a hand and fix it
Until then well, I'm gonna have to lie to her
Until that happens, I'll need to deceive her
The harder that you try baby, the further you'll fall
Trying too hard can lead to failure and disappointment
Even with all the money in the whole wide world
Money can't buy everything, including happiness or love
Please, please, please don't pass me
Don't abandon me or leave me behind
Please, please, please don't pass me
Please, please, please don't pass me by
Everything you know about me now, baby you gonna have to change
You'll have to reconsider your views regarding me
You goin' to call it, by a brand new name
You'll see me differently, probably more negatively
Please, please, please don't drag me
Don't pull me back or lower my status
Please, please, please don't drag me
Please, please, please don't drag me down
Just like your tree, down by the water, baby I shall not move
Just like a sturdy tree by the stream, I won't be displaced
Even after all the silly things you do
I won't budge even after all the nonsense you put me through
Please, please, please don't drag me
Please, please, please don't drag me
Please, please, please don't drag me down
Lyrics © Bubble Toes Publishing
Written by: Jack Hody Johnson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind