What Do You Do With a B.A. in English? / It Sucks to Be Me
John Tartaglia Lyrics
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Four years of college and plenty of knowledge
Have earned me this useless degree
I can't pay the bills yet 'cause I have no skills yet
The world is a big scary place
But somehow I can't shake the feeling I might make
A difference to the human race
Morning, Brian
How's life?
Disappointing
What's the matter?
The catering company laid me off
Oh, I'm sorry!
Me too! I mean, look at me!
I'm ten years out of college
And I always thought, oh
What? No, it sounds stupid
Aw, come on!
When I was little I thought I would be
What? A big comedian on late night TV
But now I'm thirty-two and as you can see I'm not
Nope! Oh well, it sucks to be me
No, it sucks to be me
No, it sucks to be broke and unemployed
And turning thirty-three, it sucks to be me
You think your life sucks?
I think so
Your problems aren't so bad!
I'm kinda pretty and pretty damn smart
You are!
Thanks! I like romantic things like music and art
And as you know I have a gigantic heart
So why don't I have a boyfriend?
Fuck! It sucks to be me
Me too
It sucks to be me
It sucks to be me, it sucks to be Brian
And Kate
To not have a job!
To not have a date!
It sucks to be me
Hey, Rod, Nicky, can you settle something for us?
Do you have a second?
Ah, certainly
Whose life sucks more? Brian's or mine?
Ours! We live together
We're as close as people can get
We've been the best of buddies
Ever since the day we met
So he knows lots of ways to make me really upset
Oh every day is an aggravation
Come on, that's an exaggeration!
You leave your clothes out
You put your feet on my chair, oh yeah?
You do such anal things like ironing your underwear
You make that very small apartment we share a hell
So do you, that's why I'm in hell too!
It sucks to be me!
No, it sucks to be me!
It sucks to be me!
It sucks to be me!
Is there anybody here it doesn't suck to be?
It sucks to be me!
Why you all so happy?
Because our lives suck!
Your lives suck? I hearing you correctly?
Ha! I coming to this country for opportunities
Tried to work in Korean deli but I am Japanese
But with hard work I earn two master's degrees in social work!
And now I a therapist! But I have no clients!
And I have an unemployed fiance!
And we have lots of bills to pay!
It suck to be me! It suck to be me!
I say it sucka sucka sucka sucka sucka sucka
Sucka sucka sucka sucka suck!
It suck to be me
Excuse me?
Hey there
Sorry to bother you, but I'm looking for a place to live
Why you looking the way out here?
Well, I started at Avenue A
But so far everything is out of my price range
But this neighborhood looks a lot cheaper!
Oh, and look a 'for rent' sign!
You need to talk to the superintendent
Let me go him
Great, thanks!
Yo, Gary!
I'm comin' I'm comin'
Oh my God! It's Gary Coleman!
Yes I am! I'm Gary Coleman, from TV's different Strokes
I made a lotta money that got stolen by my folks!
Now I'm broke and I'm the butt of everyone's jokes
But I'm here the superintendent! On Avenue Q
It sucks to be you
You win!
It sucks to be you
I feel better now!
Try having people stopping you to ask you
What you talkin' 'bout, Willis? It gets old
It sucks to be you on Avenue Q
(Sucks to be me)
On Avenue Q
(Sucks to be you)
On Avenue Q
(Sucks to be us)
But not when we're together
We're together here on Avenue Q!
We live on Avenue Q! Our friends do too!
'Til our dreams come true
We live on Avenue Q!
This is real life!
We live on Avenue Q
You're gonna love it
We live on Avenue Q!
Here's your keys!
Welcome to Avenue Q!
The song "What Do You Do with a B.A. in English?/It Sucks To Be Me" from the musical Avenue Q is a satirical take on the confusion, disappointment, and struggles faced by young adults in their mid-20s who are trying to figure out their place in the world after graduating from college. The lyrics express a sense of uncertainty about the future and the growing realization that a degree in humanities might not lead to immediate employment opportunities or success. The characters in the song are all struggling with different aspects of adulting, from unemployment and financial insecurity to loneliness and unfulfilled dreams. However, their shared experiences, including of living in the same neighborhood, create a sense of community and support.
The song is a commentary on the millennial experience and speaks to the social and economic concerns facing young people, including student debt, underemployment, and housing insecurity. It emphasizes the importance of friendship, shared experiences, and a sense of humor in overcoming the challenges of early adulthood. The song uses humor and sarcasm to highlight the absurdity of societal expectations and cultural norms around success, career, and relationships.
Line by Line Meaning
What is my life going to be?
I am feeling lost and uncertain about my future.
Four years of college and plenty of knowledge
I have completed my education and gained a lot of knowledge over the past four years.
Have earned me this useless degree
Despite my knowledge, my degree seems to be worthless and not helpful in finding a job.
I can't pay the bills yet 'cause I have no skills yet
I am not able to pay my bills because I lack the necessary skills and experience to get a job.
The world is a big scary place
I am fearful of the unknown and the challenges that the world presents.
But somehow I can't shake the feeling I might make
Despite my fears, I hold on to a glimmer of hope that I may be able to make a difference.
A difference to the human race
I hope to contribute in some way to society and have a positive impact on the world.
Disappointing
I am feeling let down and unhappy with my current situation in life.
The catering company laid me off
I was fired from my job at the catering company.
Oh, I'm sorry!
I express sympathy and regret for my friend's unfortunate experience.
No, it sounds stupid
I feel embarrassed to share my childhood dreams, as they now seem silly and unrealistic.
Fuck! It sucks to be me
I am angry and frustrated with my current situation in life, feeling like it is tough to be me.
It sucks to be me, it sucks to be broke and unemployed
I feel like my current state of being broke and unemployed is unbearable and difficult to cope with.
You think your life sucks?
I feel like my situation in life is worse off than yours.
So why don't I have a boyfriend?
I express frustration with not being able to find a romantic partner despite wanting one.
It sucks to be me, it sucks to be Brian
Both I and Brian are feeling unhappy and dissatisfied with our lives.
Whose life sucks more? Brian's or mine?
I am comparing my life to Brian's, trying to determine whose situation is worse.
It sucks to be me!
Both Brian and I agree that our current situations are unbearable and difficult to cope with.
It sucka sucka sucka sucka sucka sucka
I am using exaggerated language and sounds to express dissatisfaction and frustration with my current state of being.
You need to talk to the superintendent
I direct my friend to speak with the superintendent to inquire about a place to live.
But I'm here, the superintendent! On Avenue Q
Gary Coleman identifies himself as the superintendent of the building on Avenue Q.
It sucks to be you
Gary feels that it is tough to be my friend in the situation they're in.
We live on Avenue Q!
The singer and their friends reside in the neighborhood of Avenue Q.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: BOBBY LOPEZ, JEFF MARX, ROBERT JOSEPH LOPEZ
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind