In many of her songs, she incorporates humor into a narrative, some tracks ultimately becoming catchy anecdotes. Generally, her songs are unconventionally folk-like, using horn arrangements not found in tracks recorded by mainstream artists. Sobule also uses both satire and experience to sing about sexuality, depression, war, abandonment, and creed.
Nothing To Prove
Jill Sobule Lyrics
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Under the tree while listening to London Calling or something like that
Twenty-three years later, I'm here at a meeting
Trying to impress someone at a dying record company
But I got nothing to prove
And in walks in this sullen girl who looks like she's nineteen, or wants to be
Her hair dyed black and her biker boots
She looks at me like I'm some square or I'm her mother
Well, fuck you, kid; I've got nothing to prove
Nothing to prove
Nothing to prove
Once I was as miserable as you
Nothing to prove
Nothing to prove
I got nothing to prove
Here I am in Los Angeles
I came here two years ago
And everyone's young and beautiful, and their skin's so smooth
And everyone's in the industry, and I hate when they use that word
And when they say they're in the industry, I say, "Oh, are you in steel?"
Well, I got nothing to prove
Nothing to prove
Nothing to prove
Once I was as miserable as you
Nothing to prove
Nothing to prove
I got nothing to prove
Later that week I saw that same girl shopping at the Trader Joe's
She was with a big bomb blonde, and I wondered if it was her girlfriend
And to my surprise, she ran up to me and smiled and said, "I loved our meeting"
Well, I was wrong about her
But usually I'm right
Well, I've got nothing to prove
Nothing to prove
Nothing to prove
Once I was as miserable as you
Nothing to prove
Nothing to prove
I got nothing to prove
The song "Nothing to Prove" by Jill Sobule is a reflection on age and experience in the music industry. The lyrics show the songwriter's frustration with trying to impress people in the industry who are much younger than her. She describes the feeling of being looked down upon by a sullen young woman who she assumes wants to be like her. She then reflects on how she used to have the same look as the girl, but now she has nothing to prove.
The song is a statement of acceptance and self-assurance despite the odds against her. She acknowledges that she was once as miserable as the young woman but has now found peace in knowing that she has nothing to prove. She also takes a dig at the industry, which is mainly made up of young and beautiful people, by questioning their use of the word "industry."
The song highlights the cultural shift in the music industry, where age and experience are often overlooked in favor of youth and looks. Sobule uses her experience to show that age and experience can be positive factors, and one does not need to prove anything to anyone.
Line by Line Meaning
I remember laying down, it was 1983
Reflecting on a moment in time from the past.
Under the tree while listening to London Calling or something like that
Recounting what was being listened to while reflecting on that past moment.
Twenty-three years later, I'm here at a meeting Trying to impress someone at a dying record company
Fast forwarding 23 years and providing context for the present situation.
But I got nothing to prove
Expressing confidence in not needing to impress anyone.
And in walks in this sullen girl who looks like she's nineteen, or wants to be Her hair dyed black and her biker boots Well, I did that look so many years ago
Describing the appearance of the girl and drawing parallels from personal experience.
She looks at me like I'm some square or I'm her mother Well, fuck you, kid; I've got nothing to prove
Reacting to the girl's judgmental look and asserting confidence in oneself.
Nothing to prove Nothing to prove Once I was as miserable as you Nothing to prove Nothing to prove I got nothing to prove
Repeating the chorus to reinforce the message of not needing to prove oneself to anyone.
Here I am in Los Angeles I came here two years ago And everyone's young and beautiful, and their skin's so smooth And everyone's in the industry, and I hate when they use that word And when they say they're in the industry, I say, "Oh, are you in steel?" Well, I got nothing to prove
Reflecting on one's current location and expressing disdain for superficiality while asserting once again that they don't need to prove anything to anyone.
Later that week I saw that same girl shopping at the Trader Joe's She was with a big bomb blonde, and I wondered if it was her girlfriend And to my surprise, she ran up to me and smiled and said, "I loved our meeting" Well, I was wrong about her But usually I'm right Well, I've got nothing to prove
Encountering the same girl from earlier and realizing that she was not who she had initially judged her to be, which prompts further reflection on the theme of not needing to prove oneself to others.
Contributed by Camilla K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.