Look What I Did are a self-described info punk band formed in 2001 in Nashville, Tennessee by singer, Barry Donegan and guitarist, Colby Shea. Miles McPherson (drums, currently playing with Kelly Clarkson) and Chris Bradley (bass) were added before the bands first public live performance in January 2002. The band live performances during that era often ended in animal thongs, a fistfight between members, and in some cases, a hospital trip for its vocalist.
In 2003, the band added a second guitar player, Aaron "Skeet" Childress, formerly of National Green, and relocated to Los Angeles, California. At this time they also released their first recording, an independently recorded, financed, and released LP, My First Time, on their own Clockrock Recordings. Despite its limited pressing, the record received many features from ezines such as theprp.com, loudside.com, Opuszine.com. Miles McPherson was not able to join the band in L.A., and Eli Green, now of HORSE the band filled in for some time. McPherson returned to the group in 2004.
In 2005, newly reformed Combat Records and producer, Brian Virtue (Jane's Addiction, theSTART) worked with the band to release Minuteman for the Moment on October 4, 2005. The band then relocated to Nashville, TN, and began heavy national touring with bands such as Ion Dissonance, Animosity, At All Cost, Dog Fashion Disco, Tub Ring and The Classic Struggle, Drop Dead, Gorgeous, Folly, and The Human Abstract.
In October of 2006, Jake Omen(drums, ex Year of Desolation) and Ty Coughlin(bass) joined the band, replacing McPherson and Shea. Chris Bradley took over the duties on guitar.
In early 2008 the band signed a deal with new label Modernist Movement. The album Atlas Drugged was released on February 9, 2010 via Modernist Movement Recordings. Atlas Drugged was also produced by Brian Virtue.
The band released Zanzibar III: Analog Prison in 2014 and Sympathy Porn in 2019 on So Say We All Records.
Lightningbugs
Look What I Did Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
If you love her so much why must you manipulate her
You've got the heart of a puppy with the soul of a chew toy
Your urge to collect her is frustrating to deal with
Your fingerprints on her it seems wrong to affect it
The lightning bugs don't want to play for you
ch..:
With no breathing holes
You egotistical son of a bitch
This is for your amusement
post.ch..:
But I do it, too,
Sometimes,
I do it too... yeah.
v2..:
(its only)Just beginning and I'm
Counting the seconds till the lightshow is over
Its not that her presence (i)s not completely distracting
Its just the tempation is a threat to my ethics
Br..:
I've created a problem
For everyone to empathise
And I don't know how to resolve it
I've created a problem
You might never would have realized
And I don't know how to resolve it
"you've created a problem..
Thank you, so much, Socrates
'cause I don't know how to resolve it
When the problem isn't listening
To me"
And would rather be
OUTRO:
(low)
In a Jar
With no breathing holes
Suffocating
How can good intentions be so GROSSLY misunderstood
(high/antirhythm)
Are you serious?
This is your actual life
Actually given to you
By actual God
And you want to spend it
Doing this?
Is there
Any sentient activity going on in your head?
This is your actual life
Actually given to you
By actual God
The song "Lightning Bugs" by Look What I Did is about manipulating someone you love and trying to control them for your own selfish reasons. The lyrics describe the frustration of feeling unable to completely stop someone from doing what they want, even when it may not be in their best interest. The singer compares this urge to manipulate to capturing lightning bugs in a jar, suffocating them with no means of escape.
The song suggests that both parties may struggle with this urge to control and manipulate, with the singer admitting that they too sometimes give in and contribute to the problem. The chorus emphasizes the selfishness behind this control, calling out the perpetrator as an "egotistical son of a bitch" who is doing it solely for their own amusement.
The bridge touches on the difficulty of resolving this problem, as even the person causing it may not fully understand their own motivations or how to let go of control. The outro presents a sense of frustration at how good intentions can become so grossly misunderstood, ultimately urging listeners to question how they want to spend their lives and if they truly want to waste it on such controlling behavior.
Line by Line Meaning
If you love her so much why must you manipulate her
Your actions show that you do care about her, so why are you using manipulative tactics?
You've got the heart of a puppy with the soul of a chew toy
You have a kind and loving heart, but you're vulnerable to being hurt and taken advantage of.
Your urge to collect her is frustrating to deal with
Your desire to possess her is causing difficulties and annoyance for others.
Your fingerprints on her it seems wrong to affect it
Your presence and touch on her feels invasive and uncomfortable.
The lightning bugs don't want to play for you
Nature and the world around you are not here to serve you and your desires.
In a jar
You have contained and restricted something that should be free.
With no breathing holes
You have not given it the necessary resources to thrive and survive.
You egotistical son of a bitch
You are selfish and only concerned with your own desires, no matter the cost to others.
This is for your amusement
You are treating something that deserves respect and care as an object to be used for your entertainment.
Sometimes
I too have acted in ways that put my own desires above others.
Just beginning and I'm Counting the seconds till the lightshow is over
I know that the excitement and temptation of something new is dangerous and needs to be managed carefully.
Its not that her presence (i)s not completely distracting Its just the tempation is a threat to my ethics
I am struggling with balancing my desire to be with her with my moral compass and sense of right and wrong.
I've created a problem For everyone to empathise And I don't know how to resolve it
My actions have caused difficulties and pain for those around me, but I do not know how to fix it.
When the problem isn't listening To me' And would rather be
I am struggling to communicate with those affected by my actions, and they would rather be free and independent.
In a Jar With no breathing holes Suffocating
The containment and restrictions I have imposed have caused suffocation and suffering.
How can good intentions be so GROSSLY misunderstood
Despite my positive intentions, my actions have caused harm and negative consequences I did not anticipate.
Are you serious? This is your actual life Actually given to you By actual God And you want to spend it Doing this?
Is this really how you want to live your life? You have been given a precious gift, and you are wasting it on selfish desires.
Is there Any sentient activity going on in your head?
Are you even aware of the consequences of your actions and the impact they have on others?
This is your actual life Actually given to you By actual God
Your life is a gift from a higher power, and you should be using it to do good and bring positivity to the world.
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
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