Having spent a lifetime writing songs and performing with various bands across the country, Jeff has built a reputation as a strong frontman, captivating audiences of many age groups and musical tastes. Perhaps best known for his work with the now-defunct Dry Cell, Gutt can be seen and heard these days fronting Band With No Name (BWNN) and performing solo/duo gigs in the Detroit area. He also performs with a cover band Punch.
1992
Detroit, MI
www.jeffgutt.com
The Criminal
Jeff Gutt Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
if i tell would you not admit it
cause it kills me
to tell you what you already know
is there anything that you can hold on to
instead of just taring apart
in our most days all this was going to happen
in our most days i should have known somehow
yeah somehow
I'm still a criminal
did i hurt you
i can see where this is heading
cause it kills me to Think that you'll be all alone
i don't want to control you
i don't wanna take anything from you
i just don't have the heart
in our moat day all these was going to happen
in our most days i should have known somehow
i did not realise that you rush out this simple
yeah somehow
I'm still the criminal
in our most days all this was going to happen
in our most days i should know somehow
i did not realise that you rush out this simple
yeah somehow
I'm still the criminal
The criminal
the criminal
The lyrics of Jeff Gutt's song "The Criminal" express remorse and regret in a failing relationship. The repeating phrases "Did I hurt you?" and "It kills me" suggest a sense of guilt and sadness. The singer is faced with the realization that the relationship is falling apart despite their efforts, and they cannot seem to avoid causing pain. The lines "Is there anything that you can hold on to, instead of just tearing apart?" reveal the singer's desire to salvage something from the wreckage. However, they acknowledge their role in the demise of the relationship and accept the label of "criminal."
The chorus, "In our most days all this was going to happen, in our most days I should have known somehow," suggests that the problems in the relationship were evident from the beginning, but the singer chose to overlook them. When they say "I did not realize that you rush out this simple," it suggests the singer's naivety or ignorance – they didn't realize how quickly things could fall apart. Despite the sadness and regret in the lyrics, there is a sense of acceptance that the relationship has run its course, and the singer must accept the consequences of their actions.
Line by Line Meaning
did i hurt you
Asking if the singer caused pain to the listener
if i tell would you not admit it
Questioning if the listener would acknowledge the truth if the singer revealed it
cause it kills me
Expressing how painful the situation is for the singer
to tell you what you already know
Referring to the fact that the listener is aware of the situation, but the artist is having difficulty admitting it
is there anything that you can hold on to
Asking if there is any hope or positivity to grasp onto in the situation
instead of just taring apart
Expressing a desire to find a solution, rather than just breaking apart
in our most days all this was going to happen
Acknowledging that the situation was bound to occur at some point
in our most days i should have known somehow
Feeling regretful for not realizing the situation earlier
I did not realize that you rush out this simple
Admitting to not understanding the listener's intentions or desires
yeah somehow
Further emphasizing the artist's current confusion and lack of understanding
I'm still a criminal
Feeling guilt or responsibility for the situation, despite being unaware or confused about it
i can see where this is heading
Foreseeing how the situation will play out
cause it kills me to Think that you'll be all alone
Expressing concern for the listener's well-being, despite the difficult circumstances
i don't want to control you
Clarifying that the singer does not wish to manipulate or dominate the listener
i don't wanna take anything from you
Asserting that the singer is not trying to harm or diminish the listener
i just don't have the heart
Admitting that the situation is too emotionally taxing for the artist to handle on their own
in our moat day all these was going to happen
Reiterating that the situation was inevitable in some way
in our most days i should have known somehow
Further emphasizing the singer's regret for not realizing the situation earlier
I did not realise that you rush out this simple
Reflecting on a lack of understanding about the listener's behavior
yeah somehow
Again expressing confusion and uncertainty about the situation
I'm still the criminal
Feeling guilty or responsible for the situation, despite not being fully aware of it
The criminal
Repeating the title of the song to provide emphasis and closure
Contributed by Brooklyn Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.