Dial a Cliché
Jazzanova Lyrics


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Further into the fog I fall
Well, I was just following you

When you said do as I do and scrap your fey ways
Dial a cliche
Grow up, be a man and shut your mealy mouth
Dial a cliche, dial a cliche
But the person underneath, where does he go?
Does he slide by the wayside or just die?
And you find that you've organized your feelings for people
Who didn't like you then and don't like you now

Yet you say do as I do and scrap your fey ways
Dial a cliche
Grow up, be a man and shut your mealy-mouth
Dial a cliche

The safe way is the only way




There's always time to change some
I've changed but I'm in pain

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Jazzanova Feat. Paul Randolph's song Dial a Cliche express the struggle of conformity and individuality. The singer follows someone, perhaps a mentor or a friend, who guides him to abandon his unconventional ways and to follow the norm. The person encourages him to grow up, be a man, and shut his mealy-mouth, and advises him to dial a cliche. The idea of dialing a cliche means resorting to common, easy, and trite expressions instead of expressing oneself in an original way. The singer ponders the fate of the person he used to be before submitting to the commonplace. He wonders if that person vanished or died, and he acknowledges that organizing his feelings for people who didn't like him then and don't like him now is not fulfilling. The chorus repeats the advice of growing up, being a man, and dialing a cliche, emphasizing the overpowering societal pressure to fit in.


The meaning behind Dial a Cliche is relevant in many aspects of modern life. Society often urges people to conform to established norms, causing individuals to abandon their unique traits and become ordinary. Similarly, pressures from peers and authority figures can lead to submitting to the "safe way," causing pain even when the change is necessary. The lyrics of the song convey a poignant message about the importance of individuality and authenticity, reminding listeners that conformity is not the only way to achieve success and happiness.


Line by Line Meaning

Further into the fog I fall
I am becoming more confused and uncertain


Well, I was just following you
I was relying on your guidance and leadership


When you said do as I do and scrap your fey ways
You instructed me to abandon my unconventional style and conform to society's norms


Dial a cliche
Recite a commonplace phrase without original thought or depth


Grow up, be a man and shut your mealy mouth
Act more mature and stop expressing your opinions in a weak and ineffective way


But the person underneath, where does he go?
What happens to my true identity and individuality?


Does he slide by the wayside or just die?
Does he fade into obscurity or disappear completely?


And you find that you've organized your feelings for people
You realize that you have put effort into caring about individuals who have never reciprocated those feelings


Who didn't like you then and don't like you now
People who rejected you before still reject you today


Yet you say do as I do and scrap your fey ways
You continue to push conformity despite the negative personal consequences it may have for me


The safe way is the only way
Choosing the most predictable and conventional path is the only option


There's always time to change some
It's never too late to make some changes in your life


I've changed but I'm in pain
I have made changes in my life, but the process has been emotionally difficult




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: STEVEN MORRISSEY, STEPHEN STREET

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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