Tame
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 "Tame" by Joyce Manor convey a sense of disengagement and detachment from the world around the singer. The first few lines establish that the singer is physically present but emotionally distant, indifferent to the actions of those around them. The line "learning to do without it" suggests that this detachment is a conscious choice, perhaps as a way of protecting oneself from emotional pain.
The next stanza seems to suggest that the singer is struggling with feelings of boredom and apathy. They are stuck on the couch, literal and metaphorical, doing nothing and feeling nothing. The line "see how tame I can be" is an assertion of this lifeless state, as if they are testing just how little they can engage with their surroundings.
However, the last few lines of the song suggest an attempt at reconnection. The singer urges someone not to stop by, but then appears to retract that statement, expressing a desire for them to "fall into [their] arms because I want you." It's unclear whether this is genuine or simply a fleeting impulse, but it does suggest that the singer may not be as numb as they initially seemed.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm right here.
I am physically present in this place and time.
But hey don't worry about it I don't care.
Please do not concern yourself, as it does not bother me.
Learning to do without it.
Adapting to survive without something that was once important.
Laying on the couch and staring at the wall like nothing at all.
Being unresponsive and idle, devoid of thought or emotion.
See how tame I can be; in the reflection I watch myself watching TV.
Observe how docile I am, as if all I can do is passively watch myself watching television.
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."
As the level of intimacy becomes unbearable, I realize that I never loved you and confess my feelings to myself.
See how strange I can seem?
Notice how peculiar I can be perceived as by others.
Did I ever tell you about that one dream?
Have I disclosed to you about that particular dream I had?
Look there we are, where we used to be.
Gaze upon the location where we once were located together.
Of all things I will soon grow tired.
Everything I encounter will inevitably become stale and weary to my senses.
Don't stop by; no, you don't have to be around tonight.
Please refrain from visiting or spending time with me tonight.
If you're feeling like it.
Only if you desire to.
Stand out in the hallway, fall into my arms because I want you.
If you stand outside in the hallway, I will embrace you because I desire you.
Can't you tell at all?
Do you not perceive my intentions or yearning?
Contributed by Jayce A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.