The Party
John S. Hall Lyrics


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Tell me what the hell you're thinking
Every night it's heavy drinking
Every night a new companion
Is that what you're supposed to do
And I might talk about the whiskey
And that doesn't make it true
Life's not always a party
Sometimes you're just blue
You called it quits so I'm leaving
Leaving my whole world behind
I'm the one who should be reeling
Oh and you opened my eyes
Tell me what the hell you're thinking
Every night it's heavy drinking
Every night a new companion
Is that what you're supposed to do
And I might talk about the whiskey
And that doesn't make it true
Life's not always a party
Sometimes you're just blue
Bar looks the same on a Wednesday
As it did the night before
I tried your life every which way
Now here I am staring through the bushes
Waving at a past life
Tell me what the hell you're thinking
Every night it's heavy drinking
Every night a new companion
Is that what you're supposed to do
And I might talk about the whiskey
And that doesn't make it true
Life's not always a party
Sometimes you're just blue
Now I don't talk about the whiskey
All those barrooms must have tricked me
And don't get me wrong
I still imbibe from time to time
Yeah I throw all my own parties
My friends all see what I see
And don't get me wrong
I'm still blue from time to time
Tell me what the hell you're thinking
Every night it's heavy drinking
Every night a new companion
Is that what you're supposed to do
And I might talk about the whiskey
And that doesn't make it true
Life's not always a party
Sometimes you're just blue
Life's not always a party
Sometimes you're just blue




Life's not always a party
Sometimes you're just blue

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of John S. Hall's song "The Party" seem to be a reflection on the self-destructive behavior that can come from excessive drinking and partying. The singer of the song seems to be questioning the choices of someone close to them who engages in heavy drinking and sleeping around with different companions every night. The singer notes that while discussing whiskey might be a common topic of conversation within this lifestyle, it doesn't necessarily make it a true reflection of life. The last three lines of the song repeat the sentiment that life is not always a party, and sometimes you can find yourself feeling blue.


Throughout the song, we sense that the singer's relationship with the person engaging in destructive behavior is strained. The line "You called it quits so I'm leaving, leaving my whole world behind" suggests that perhaps the two had been in a romantic relationship, but the party lifestyle became too much. Additionally, the line "I tried your life every which way, now here I am staring through the bushes" seems to indicate a desire to keep an eye on the person they care about, even if they can no longer be involved in their lifestyle.


Line by Line Meaning

Tell me what the hell you're thinking
Asking the person to explain their actions and thoughts


Every night it's heavy drinking
Drinking in excess every night


Every night a new companion
Having a new romantic partner every night


Is that what you're supposed to do
Questioning the appropriateness of their behavior


And I might talk about the whiskey
Admitting that he previously talked about alcohol, but that doesn't justify the other person's actions


And that doesn't make it true
Saying that talking about something doesn't necessarily make it real or true


Life's not always a party
Acknowledging that life isn't always fun and enjoyable


Sometimes you're just blue
Meaning that sometimes life can be sad and depressing


You called it quits so I'm leaving
Saying that since the relationship ended, he is leaving everything behind and moving on


Leaving my whole world behind
Feeling like he has to start from scratch and leave his old life behind


I'm the one who should be reeling
Feeling that he should be the one who is upset


Oh and you opened my eyes
Acknowledging that the other person made him see things he didn't see before


Bar looks the same on a Wednesday
Pointing out that nothing changes, even on a different day of the week


As it did the night before
Saying that everything looks the same as it did the previous night


I tried your life every which way
Saying that he tried to understand the other person's behavior from various perspectives


Now here I am staring through the bushes
Feeling like an outsider looking in on the other person's life


Waving at a past life
Feeling like the past is gone and can't be changed


Now I don't talk about the whiskey
Saying that he has stopped discussing alcohol


All those barrooms must have tricked me
Feeling like he was misled by the atmosphere of bars and clubs


And don't get me wrong
Making a point to clarify that he isn't against drinking and partying


I still imbibe from time to time
Admitting that he still drinks occasionally


Yeah I throw all my own parties
Saying that he creates his own happiness


My friends all see what I see
Saying that his friends share his positive outlook on life


And don't get me wrong
Clarifying once again that he isn't against partying or drinking


I'm still blue from time to time
Admitting that he still feels down occasionally


Life's not always a party
Reiterating that life isn't always happy


Sometimes you're just blue
Emphasizing that there are times when life can be sad and difficult




Lyrics © O/B/O DistroKid
Written by: Gregory Hall

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@jotteria79

"the promise of the party almost made everyone's living conditions bearable" real talk here

@skoolbus

Does anyone know what Kramer sampled for this? I asked him and even he doesn't know.

@SanchoSanchoSancho

I have this on cassette. When will Apple finally put out an Ipod with built in cassette player? Also I need a car record player for my Butthole Surfers albums.

@Adrian-fd4wf

I ne ed an :¶ ¶€ ®f or my co tt on pl an ta ti on .W he n will Microsoft Slavery finally be obvious?

@tonyorsini5255

Finally! Someone who listens to the Butthole Surfers! Everyone looks at me like I just landed on Earth (I actually landed 80 rulls ago) when I mention them.

@tonyorsini5255

Listen to King Missile?

@SanchoSanchoSancho

@Tony Orsini YesI do, and The Dead Milkmen, too.

@tonyorsini5255

@Chris McGhee NOW you're talking! While Metaphysical Graffiti didn't sell well, I loved Anderson, Walkman, Buttholes and How! Catchy as hell, with Gibby doing the vocs.

@MilkOfSuccess

@WandaLousideBaton Word. I can't find this anywhere. I'm gonna have to go BUY it... Ew.

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