Getting Away With It
James (1) Lyrics
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That's OK, we're insured
Are you aching for the grave?
That's OK, we're insured
We're getting away with it all messed up
Getting away with it all messed up
That's the living
Daniel's saving Grace
Hope he's a good swimmer
Daniel plays his ace
Deep inside his temple
He knows how to serve her
We're getting away with it all messed up
Getting away with it all messed up
That's the living
We're getting away with it all messed up
Getting away with it all messed up
That's the living
Daniel drinks his weight
Drinks like Richard Burton
Dance like John Travolta
Now
Daniel's saving Grace
He was all but drowning
Now they live like dolphins
We're getting away with it all messed up
Getting away with it all messed up
That's the living
We're getting away with it all messed up
Getting away with it all messed up
That's the living
We're getting away with it all messed up
Getting away with it all messed up
That's the living
Oh, getting away with it all messed up
Getting away with it all messed up
That's the living
Getting away with it
We're getting away with it
That's the living
That's the living
The lyrics to James (1)'s song "Getting Away With It" seem at first glance like they may be glamorizing self-destructive behavior. The repeated refrain of "Getting away with it all messed up" suggests that the singer is aware that they are doing something wrong or harmful, yet they continue to do it anyway. The lines "Are you aching for the blade? That's OK, we're insured" and "Are you aching for the grave? That's OK, we're insured" suggest that there may be some sort of insurance at play - perhaps life insurance or health insurance - that allows the singer to take risks without fearing the consequences.
However, the second half of the song complicates this picture somewhat. The character of "Daniel" is introduced, and his "saving Grace" is mentioned - it's unclear who or what this is, but it seems to have pulled him out of a difficult situation ("He was all but drowning"). Additionally, the lyrics suggest that he has found a path to redemption, or at least a less destructive way of living: "Now they live like dolphins". This idea of redemption is underscored by the final lines of the song, in which the repeated refrain of "Getting away with it all messed up" takes on a different meaning when followed by the line "That's the living". This could be interpreted as a recognition that everyone makes mistakes and sometimes behaves in ways that may not be healthy or productive, but that this is simply part of the human experience.
Line by Line Meaning
Are you aching for the blade?
Do you feel the urge to harm yourself with a sharp object?
That's OK, we're insured
Don't worry, if you injure yourself, we have insurance to cover it.
Are you aching for the grave?
Do you feel like ending your life?
We're getting away with it all messed up
We're managing to survive despite our problems and imperfections.
That's the living
This is what it's like to be alive in this world.
Daniel's saving Grace
Daniel has found someone or something that gives him hope and helps him cope with life.
She's out in deep water
His saving grace is in a difficult or dangerous situation.
Hope he's a good swimmer
He hopes that his saving grace can handle the challenges she faces.
Daniel plays his ace
Daniel uses his best strategy to take advantage of a situation or to help his saving grace.
Deep inside his temple
Daniel's innermost self or soul.
He knows how to serve her
Daniel understands how to help his saving grace and give her what she needs.
Daniel drinks his weight
Daniel drinks excessively.
Drinks like Richard Burton
Referring to the actor Richard Burton, who was known for his heavy drinking.
Dance like John Travolta
Referring to the actor John Travolta, who was known for his dancing skills.
Now
At this moment.
He was all but drowning
He was struggling to keep his head above water and was about to give up.
Now they live like dolphins
They are thriving and enjoying life, like dolphins swimming in the ocean.
Oh, getting away with it all messed up
Expressing a sense of relief and satisfaction that they are able to survive despite their problems and imperfections.
Getting away with it
Managing to survive despite challenges and difficulties.
We're getting away with it
See above.
That's the living
This is what it means to be alive, with all its challenges and joys.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DAVID JOHN BAYNTON-POWER, JAMES GLENNIE, MARK HUNTER, SAUL DAVIES, TIMOTHY BOOTH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@panosfloyd858
Why are James soo underrated? Their music fills you with joy and cheerfulness. Making meaningful and joyous music is extremely difficult like writing meaningful, joyous poetry or any other form of art. Our world is full of depression and those who fight against this monotony should be recognized and admired
@benzobrimzs
I don't think they are.
@Fwibos
Uh...clearly you haven't heard some of their early stuff. Lester Piggott is about suicide. They juxtapose happiness and despair in every one of their songs. Their most famous song is about mental illness.
They are a good band. But they aren't about being happy.
@paulbradnick786
They are only underrated to those who don't know...console yourself with the fact that you do.
@Maynke
James is like if music had character actors: you have heard them - a lot, possibly more than you realize, but you just don't know their name.
@raykennyisazarueda4293
I’m crying with you comment. Fuck
@thenuttynavigator
Beautiful.🤟💯It's 2022 now and I still love this tune. Very positive! ❤️
@VinkoBilic-ol7lr
KGB is little children compers to you😂😂😂😂😂😂
@veraluciadeandrade9044
2023❤, sempre ouço em deixa ❤
@rong2912
The video ruins the song