Another Wasted Day
Late For Life Lyrics


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Just another wasted day
Another day of school
Staring at the clock
And I'm playing pocket pool

I know I'm getting older but I'm not getting wise
With the teaching blabbing on I try not to close my eyes
Where do I go now? Who am I to be?
Thrown in the pile with the other casualties
Of underachievers, pocketbook stealers
Potato peelers, and dopamine dealers

Just another wasted day
A day I won't get back
Sipping eight ball, shooting dice, and smoking crack
I got it bad now, I'm living on the street
Dumpster food in my stomach and broken glass on my feet

Where do I go now? Who am I to be?
Thrown in the pile with the other casualties
Of underachievers, pocketbook stealers
Potato peelers, and dopamine dealers

Don't worry about me
I'll be okay
Even though you remind me constantly




That I'll be nothing, just you wait and see
You radicalistic going nowhere certainty

Overall Meaning

The song "Another Wasted Day" by Late For Life is about the feeling of being stuck in a routine, particularly one that is unfulfilling and unproductive. The opening lines indicate that the singer is trapped in the monotony of school, feeling like they are wasting their time. The reference to "pocket pool" implies that even in this unengaging environment, the singer is finding ways to pass the time that are not necessarily constructive.


The second verse takes a darker turn, suggesting that the sense of purposelessness has escalated to the point of addiction and homelessness. The line "I know I'm getting older but I'm not getting wise" feels particularly poignant in this context, suggesting that the singer has not found their way out of this cycle despite the passage of time.


The chorus repeats the question "Where do I go now? Who am I to be?" suggesting a sense of lostness and uncertainty. The reference to being "thrown in the pile with the other casualties" implies a lack of agency, as though the singer is simply being swept along by forces beyond their control.


Overall, the song feels like a commentary on the struggles of young people who are trying to find their place in the world, but who are often confronted with obstacles that make it difficult to feel like they are making progress.


Line by Line Meaning

Just another wasted day
A day that has been a complete waste of time and energy.


Another day of school
A day spent in attending classes and following a daily routine in the institution of education.


Staring at the clock
Looking at the time repeatedly in anticipation of the day to end soon.


And I'm playing pocket pool
Engaging in an idle, aimless activity without any goal or meaning to pass time.


I know I'm getting older but I'm not getting wise
Although age is increasing, the person isn't gaining any intelligent, practical learning from their surroundings and experiences.


With the teaching blabbing on I try not to close my eyes
Despite the teacher's long, boring lectures, trying their best to keep themselves alert so as to not miss out on any valuable information.


Where do I go now? Who am I to be?
Questioning one's purpose and direction in life - feeling lost and confused about what next to do or achieve.


Thrown in the pile with the other casualties
Being grouped together with other individuals who also didn't reach their potential and succumbed to their failures.


Of underachievers, pocketbook stealers, potato peelers, and dopamine dealers
Mentioning different categories of people who are not respected in society for their lack of success, criminal tendencies, low-paying jobs, and addiction problems.


A day I won't get back
A realization that the time spent on this day won't be regained and has gone to waste.


Sipping eight ball, shooting dice, and smoking crack
Indulging in harmful and deadly addictions to deal with the pain of being unsuccessful and not fulfilling their desires.


I got it bad now, I'm living on the street
Being homeless and deprived of basic necessities such as food, clothing, and shelter.


Dumpster food in my stomach and broken glass on my feet
Eating from garbage containers and walking on foot with injuries from sharp, dangerous materials and substances.


Don't worry about me
Assuring others that despite the hardships and struggles, they will overcome them eventually and cope with their problems on their own.


I'll be okay
Being optimistic about a better future and freedom from the current circumstances.


Even though you remind me constantly
Despite the negative comments and discouragement from others around them.


That I'll be nothing, just you wait and see
The lack of hope and faith that anyone will succeed, leading them to faithlessness in themselves as well.


You radicalistic going nowhere certainty
The realization that society and culture demand an unattainable standard of success and achievement, and those who don't meet this standard are deemed as failures, demotivating them completely.




Contributed by Lila S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Comments from YouTube:

@patrickrkruger

She is easily my favorite current folk singer. I listen to her albums every week. Genius of banjo and arrangements. I love her religious songs and I'm an atheist. ❤❤❤❤❤❤ So glad she's getting this attention. Very much deserved.

@sambowman91

She's a national treasure.

@chrisbarry9345

I never heard of her and I don't want to speak negatively about her because it seems like she's trying to create music that is deeper and on emotional themes but I have to ask... Are the studio recordings better than this at least? It seems like she can sing but this live rendition is just not engaging in any way

@dave3459

She has such a powerful voice.

@hazmatman3120

Am I the only one who immediately envisioned the opening credits of the next 007 film? Great music and lyrics! Wow... and what a chilling performance... just fantastic!

@valerieroche

I was thinking it sounded like the main track for a soundtrack to a movie… very cinemagraphic…

@virginiamiller4890

Thank you, Michael, for bringing Rhiannon to my attention. I can't believe I've never heard her before, and you can bet that I am doing a crash course into her work and sharing it with everyone I know!!!! Thanks again, Michael, you're killing it this week!!!!

@mikejackson2228

She is a shining light like nothing I've heard in twenty years.

@shawnsullivan9547

Y'all check her out with the Carolina Chocolate Drops. I don't know if they are still together but I had the amazing opportunity to catch them at a small concert hall in North Florida a few times. Phenomenal performance and a great history lesson on the music origins and the instruments they played

@RaineW

She also is part of Our Native Daughters.

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