Lambchop is an American alt-country band from Nashville, Tennessee, the cap… Read Full Bio ↴Lambchop is an American alt-country band from Nashville, Tennessee, the capital of country music. Originally called Posterchild, the band (which formed in 1986) cannot easily be classified into a genre and certainly not into that of traditional country music. The collective around frontman Kurt Wagner has a fluid membership, at times including as many 18 musicians, and is frequently associated with alternative country. Lambchop’s music combines wryly ironic lyrics that are complex in form and content with harmonious tunes and soulful background vocals. It is indebted to folk and country as much as to the smooth soul of Barry White, Curtis Mayfield or Marvin Gaye and can be seen as a fine exemplification of Kris Kristofferson’s famous line: “country music is the white man’s soul”.

It's Not Alright
Lambchop Lyrics

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Medical alert but it doesn't really hurt
Now there's nothing we can do
It's already on its way
This time you didn't wait to call
Didn't hesitate at all
Now there's nothing we can do
Only waiting it's already on its way

I remember feeling down
Whenever winter came around
And you gave me a hat
Put it on and let's go out
And we talked and talked again
Until the snow turned into rain
And in spite of all we said
I already want to know more than I do

And when you sighed it was so hard to hide
I saw the sign flashing in your eyes
It's not alright and it doesn't help to know
That I'm not the only one who feels the way it feels

Did you try and bury it inside
Did you hide I do it all the time
The day's arrived it seems like such a crime

To conceal the heart I have
The heart I have

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Lambchop's It's Not Alright describe a situation where the singer and another person receive medical news that is not good, possibly a terminal diagnosis. A medical alert is mentioned, indicating a serious health condition or emergency. Despite the news, there's nothing they can do to change the prognosis. The sense of helplessness is palpable, with the phrase "already on its way" being repeated twice in the song. This could be interpreted as referring to the inevitable march of time towards the end of life.

The lyrics then take a nostalgic turn in the next verse, as the singer remembers a time when they were given a hat by the other person during winter. The hat serves as a metaphor for a ray of hope during a dark, cold time. They go out and talk until the snow turns into rain, indicating a change in the mood or atmosphere. However, despite the pleasant conversation, there's a sense of wanting to know more, possibly about the other person's true feelings or situation.

The chorus, "It's not alright and it doesn't help to know, that I'm not the only one who feels the way it feels," reinforces the idea that the situation is not ideal but that they are not alone in it. The third verse continues on this theme, with questions about whether the other person tried to bury their emotions or conceal their heart. The phrase "it seems like such a crime" implies that the singer believes it's wrong to hide one's true self, especially in light of the serious news they have just received.

Overall, the lyrics to It's Not Alright portray a complex mix of emotions, including helplessness, nostalgia, hope, and a desire for truth and authenticity. The combination of a serious medical diagnosis and the focus on emotional honesty creates a poignant and thought-provoking song that lingers in the mind long after it's over.

Line by Line Meaning

Medical alert but it doesn't really hurt
It's a warning, but it doesn't physically hurt

Now there's nothing we can do
The situation is out of our control

It's already on its way
The problem is already coming

This time you didn't wait to call
In contrast to previous times, you acted quickly this time

Didn't hesitate at all
You acted courageously and without any doubts

Only waiting it's already on its way
Now, all we can do is wait for the problem to arrive

I remember feeling down
I recall feeling sad

Whenever winter came around
During the winter season

And you gave me a hat
You gave me a hat to wear

Put it on and let's go out
Put the hat on and let's leave the house

And we talked and talked again
We kept talking for a long time