The Jerk
Joyce Manor Lyrics

The lyrics of Joyce Manor's song, The Jerk, seem to express the conflicting emotions and uncertainty experienced in a relationship. The first line, "the sand, your shoes, your point of view," indicates the singer's attempt to see things from their partner's perspective but finding it difficult or impossible to fully understand. The next line, "erase your face in a dumb cartoon," suggests that the partner may be presenting a false or childish version of themselves. The line "well I saw The Jerk, but that stuff don't work" suggests that the singer has tried to use humor, possibly in the way that Steve Martin does in the film The Jerk, to ease the tension but it hasn't been effective.

The chorus, "I wanna see what's going on over your shoulder but it all goes wrong," indicates a longing to connect with the partner but the constant failure to do so. Additionally, the line "don't say goodbye say you're not sure" indicates a fear of losing the relationship but also a reluctance to fully commit. The singer acknowledges that "anything could ever come between the two of us" but also admits "I would say the same thing."

The second verse describes a specific location, "the place with cakes and eight ball juice," where the singer has previously experienced a sense of being lost and needing to start again. They encounter "some farmyard friends" but feel disconnected from them, stating "I'm not like you." This may indicate a feeling of being different or out of place in the relationship.

Overall, the song seems to convey a sense of frustration and confusion within the relationship. The singer desires to understand their partner better and connect with them, but also struggles with fear and uncertainty. The lyrics suggest that while the relationship may not be perfect, the singer still values it and would like to see it continue.