Map on a Wall
Lucy Dacus Lyrics


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Oh please, don't make fun of me,
of my crooked smile and my crowded teeth,
of my pigeon feet, of my knobby knees.
Well, I got more problems than not.

But I feel fine and I made up my mind
to live happily, feeling beautiful beneath the trees
above a ground that's solid at the core.
Oh please, don't make fun of me.
Oh you know I get frightened so easily
when I'm all alone and the floorboards creak.
It's those noises in the dark.

But I am alive and I made up my mind
to live fearlessly, running wild beneath the trees
above a ground that's solid at the core.

Send my regards to the north my friends.
I am built for the heat, I regret to admit.
My fear of freezing keeps me on my feet
and so far my whole life's one long lucky streak.
They say you should take the credit when it comes,
but I believe in haunted wood.

Oh please, don't make fun of me.
Oh I'll try my best to tell it like it is,
but I'll bite my tongue and I'll close my lips
when nobody wants to hear it.

But here we are and something about it doesn't feel like an accident.
We're all looking for something to adore
and how to survive the bending and breaking.

I've walked on two legs since I was a child,
but when did I realize that some ways out,
past the horizon for thousands of miles
there are people like me, walking on legs like mine?

Coming closer and farther away.
Coming to me and from my embrace.
Hoping good comes from good
and good comes from bad anyway.

Oh please, don't make fun of me
with my heart of gold and my restless soul.
Oh please, don't make fun of me.
This smile happens genuinely.

If you want to see the world, you have to say goodbye
cause a map does no good hanging on a wall.




If you want to see the world, you have to say goodbye
cause a map does no good hanging on a wall.

Overall Meaning

Lucy Dacus's "Map On A Wall" is a powerful confession of self-doubt, insecurity, and the search for acceptance. The song's opening lines start with an emotional plea to not judge or make fun of the singer's physical attributes such as her crooked smile, crowded teeth, pigeon feet, and knobby knees. The lyrics portray a protagonist who is riddled with self-doubt and self-consciousness about her appearance. Despite feeling self-conscious about her physical appearance, the singer has made up her mind to live happily, feeling beautiful under the trees above ground that is solid at the core. The song also speaks of the importance of finding strength in oneself to live fearlessly and run wild under the trees.


In the second verse, the song mentions the singer's fear of the unknown and how she gets frightened quickly. However, she has made up her mind to be brave and live fearlessly, hoping to find solid ground amidst the bending and breaking. The song also mentions the singer's unexplained affinity for 'haunted wood'. As the song progresses, it becomes apparent that the singer is searching for something more profound in life, something to adore, to embrace, and perhaps find acceptance. The song's closing lines are a call to live life fully, to explore beyond the comfort of our maps and embrace the unknown fully.


Line by Line Meaning

Oh please, don't make fun of me
I feel insecure about my appearance, and I don't want to be ridiculed for my imperfections.


of my crooked smile and my crowded teeth
My smile isn't perfect and my teeth are overcrowded, which makes me self-conscious.


of my pigeon feet, of my knobby knees
My feet are pigeon-toed and my knees are knobby, which are both physical traits that I don't like about myself.


Well, I got more problems than not.
I have more issues and challenges than not, but I'm doing my best to cope with them.


But I feel fine and I made up my mind to live happily, feeling beautiful beneath the trees above a ground that's solid at the core.
Despite my imperfections and challenges, I am choosing to be content and happy, finding beauty in nature and stability in life.


Oh you know I get frightened so easily when I'm all alone and the floorboards creak. It's those noises in the dark.
I am easily scared, especially when it's dark and I'm alone, and I'm sensitive to noises and sounds around me.


But I am alive and I made up my mind to live fearlessly, running wild beneath the trees above a ground that's solid at the core.
Despite my fears, I am choosing to live boldly and bravely, finding freedom and joy in nature and life.


Send my regards to the north my friends. I am built for the heat, I regret to admit. My fear of freezing keeps me on my feet and so far my whole life's one long lucky streak. They say you should take the credit when it comes, but I believe in haunted wood.
I am better suited for warm climates, and my fear of the cold keeps me from taking risks in life. However, I've been fortunate so far and have had good luck. Although some say I should take credit for my success, I believe in the role of fate or destiny.


Oh I'll try my best to tell it like it is, but I'll bite my tongue and I'll close my lips when nobody wants to hear it.
I will be honest when speaking my mind, but I will also be prudent and refrain from speaking when it's not appropriate or welcomed.


But here we are and something about it doesn't feel like an accident. We're all looking for something to adore and how to survive the bending and breaking.
I feel that there's a reason why we are where we are now, and that there's a search for meaning and purpose in life. We're all trying to find something or someone to admire, while also learning to cope with life's challenges and hardships.


I've walked on two legs since I was a child, but when did I realize that some ways out, past the horizon for thousands of miles, there are people like me, walking on legs like mine?
Although I've walked on two legs my whole life, I've only recently realized that there are many others like me in the world, living and walking miles and miles away.


Coming closer and farther away. Coming to me and from my embrace. Hoping good comes from good and good comes from bad anyway.
Life and relationships are constantly changing, with people coming closer and moving away. I hope to be a source of positivity and inspiration, no matter the situation or circumstances.


Oh please, don't make fun of me with my heart of gold and my restless soul. Oh please, don't make fun of me. This smile happens genuinely.
I have a gentle and kind heart, and I'm always looking for new experiences and challenges. I don't want to be made fun of for my sincerity and authentic smile.


If you want to see the world, you have to say goodbye cause a map does no good hanging on a wall.
To truly experience the world, you have to be willing to leave your familiar surroundings and venture out. Simply looking at a map won't be enough to satisfy your curiosity and desire for adventure.




Contributed by Jordan P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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