See How Tame I Can Be?
Joyce Manor Lyrics
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But hey don’t worry about it I don’t care
Learning to do without it
Laying on the couch and staring at the wall like nothing at all
See how tame I can be; in the reflection I watch myself watching TV
And it’s too much to take and so I say to myself
“I never told you that I loved you because I don’t”
See how strange I can seem?
Look there we are, where we used to be
Of all things I will soon grow tired
Don’t stop by; no, you don’t have to be around tonight
If you’re feeling like it
Stand out in the hallway, fall into my arms because I want you
Can’t you tell at all?
The lyrics to Joyce Manor's song See How Tame I Can Be convey a sense of detachment and apathy from the perspective of the singer. While physically present, the singer seems emotionally absent, as evidenced by the opening lines "I'm right here, but hey don’t worry about it I don’t care". The singer seems to be going through the motions, "learning to do without it", as though they are resigned to their own numbness. The imagery of "laying on the couch and staring at the wall like nothing at all" reinforces this sense of inertia.
However, the singer seems to be aware of their own detachment, as they are "watching [themself] watching TV" in the reflection. The singer is also aware that this behavior is not typical of them, as they ask their listeners to "see how tame I can be" and "see how strange I can seem". The closing lines of the song, "Can't you tell at all?" suggest that the singer may be issuing a plea to connect, despite their perceived withdrawal.
Overall, the lyrics to See How Tame I Can Be convey a sense of emotional distance and the consequences of apathy, as well as the struggle to reconcile these feelings with the desire to connect with others.
Line by Line Meaning
I’m right here
I am physically present in this space
But hey don’t worry about it I don’t care
Please don't be concerned about me, I am indifferent
Learning to do without it
Adjusting to not having something or someone in my life
Laying on the couch and staring at the wall like nothing at all
Lying on the sofa, gazing at the wall, appearing carefree
See how tame I can be; in the reflection I watch myself watching TV
Observe how composed I can seem, watching myself as I watch television
And it’s too much to take and so I say to myself
Feeling overwhelmed, I speak to myself
“I never told you that I loved you because I don’t”
I never declared my love for you because I do not feel it
See how strange I can seem?
Witness my potential to come across as peculiar
Did I ever tell you about that one dream?
Do you recall me mentioning that specific dream?
Look there we are, where we used to be
Gaze over at where we were before
Of all things I will soon grow tired
Eventually I will become bored with everything
Don’t stop by; no, you don’t have to be around tonight
Please don't visit, it's unnecessary for you to be here tonight
If you’re feeling like it
However, you may come over if you feel inclined
Stand out in the hallway, fall into my arms because I want you
Stand in the hall and embrace me, as I desire your presence
Can’t you tell at all?
Is it not clear to you?
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
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