It Is What It Is
M.L.B Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Some backstreet scene outside a bar -
Your high heel brogues and that pale blue bra...
I asked you who you think you are...
And you showed me your two year old scar.

Then you gestured for me to type in your phone,
as you joked your way around my mother's home.
You showed me peace like i'd never known
but your last words took turns to defile my bones...

but it is what it is...
It is what it is...

A computer only tends to go so far...
your views tend to depend on where you are.
You're the residue of star...
but in your room everything seems so damn far.

And Lenore acts like it's all so plain,
I worshipped her but she doesn't even know my name -
to her god it's all the same...
To a black hole a human war is so inane...

A king pulls up to thumb down a train -
his fool managed first class seats again...
The tracks fly up into the fiery sky...
The only time this king ain't afraid to die.

And the conformants - the heathen healers - hold me down...
As I lay dormant the door keep sold my sound,
and Lenore, her call is so loud...
... The indifference dance of which we're all so proud...

It is what it is...
It is what it is...
It is what it is...

Her kin dies, and you don't say a thing...
You do try but the past is so fucking thin.
But those bridges you've burnt are dead and done...
And you can act like you ain't your mother's son.

But the sea says it all belongs to Lenore,
and that she says that a motherless son is poor...
And look how the suns of the sirens sore,
like the flags in the carnival that you adore.

It is what it is...
It is what it is...




It is what it is...
It is what it is.

Overall Meaning

The opening lines of M.L.B's song "It Is What It Is" paint a vivid picture of a scene outside a bar, where the singer confronts a woman wearing high heel brogues and a pale blue bra. He asks her who she thinks she is, at which point she shows him a two-year-old scar. The interaction ends with her gesturing for him to type in her phone, before leaving him with some unsettling parting words.


The second verse touches on the idea that our perspectives are often shaped by our environment. The singer references "residue of star" and contrasts the vastness of the universe with the feeling of being confined to a small room. The mention of Lenore and her apparent indifference to the singer's worship of her further underscores the theme of isolation and disillusionment.


Line by Line Meaning

Some backstreet scene outside a bar -
The scene is set with a casual encounter outside a bar.


Your high heel brogues and that pale blue bra...
The appearance of the character is described, including their shoes and underwear.


I asked you who you think you are...
The singer questions the other person's identity.


And you showed me your two year old scar.
The other person reveals a personal detail to the artist.


Then you gestured for me to type in your phone,
The other person asks the artist to input their contact information.


as you joked your way around my mother's home.
The other person makes jokes and behaves in a casually friendly manner.


You showed me peace like I'd never known
The other person provides a sense of calm and tranquility.


but your last words took turns to defile my bones...
Despite the previous peaceful encounter, the other person's final words were hurtful to the artist.


but it is what it is...
The artist acknowledges that the situation can't be changed.


It is what it is...
The artist repeats that the situation can't be changed.


A computer only tends to go so far...
Technology has its limitations.


your views tend to depend on where you are.
Perspectives and opinions can be shaped by location and context.


You're the residue of star...
The other person is a remnant or leftover of something grand or influential.


but in your room everything seems so damn far.
Despite their grandeur, the other person's personal life may feel distant and isolated.


And Lenore acts like it's all so plain,
Another character named Lenore seems indifferent to the singer's admiration.


I worshipped her but she doesn't even know my name -
Despite the artist's admiration, Lenore doesn't seem to reciprocate or even know the artist.


to her god it's all the same...
Lenore seems indifferent to the artist's existence or devotion.


To a black hole a human war is so inane...
In the grand scheme of things, human conflicts seem insignificant to the vastness of space.


A king pulls up to thumb down a train -
A powerful figure gestures to stop a train with their thumb.


his fool managed first class seats again...
Despite the king's status, someone else has secured the best seats on the train.


The tracks fly up into the fiery sky...
The train is destroyed and the scene becomes violent and destructive.


The only time this king ain't afraid to die.
The king seems unafraid of death in this dangerous moment.


And the conformants - the heathen healers - hold me down...
The singer may feel oppressed by a group of people adhering to a particular ideology or belief system.


As I lay dormant the door keep sold my sound,
The artist may feel trapped and silenced by others.


and Lenore, her call is so loud...
Lenore's perceived indifference may feel oppressive to the singer.


... The indifference dance of which we're all so proud...
The singer comments on the societal acceptance or even celebration of indifference.


Her kin dies, and you don't say a thing...
The other person seems unsympathetic to the death of someone related to Lenore.


You do try but the past is so fucking thin.
The other person may have attempted to express sympathy, but past actions or events make it difficult for the artist to believe them.


But those bridges you've burnt are dead and done...
The artist feels as though past actions have damaged their relationship irreparably.


And you can act like you ain't your mother's son.
The other person may attempt to distance themselves from their family or upbringing, but the singer sees through this facade.


But the sea says it all belongs to Lenore,
The sea, a metaphor for nature or the universe, seems to favor or be controlled by Lenore.


and that she says that a motherless son is poor...
Lenore may believe that those without a mother are disadvantaged in some way.


And look how the suns of the sirens sore,
The suns, or offspring, of the sirens, a mythical creature known for its beauty and lure, fly high or succeed.


like the flags in the carnival that you adore.
The other person may have a fascination with or admiration for something that is temporary or fleeting.


It is what it is...
The singer repeats that the situation is unchangeable.


It is what it is...
The artist repeats that the situation is unchangeable.


It is what it is...
The singer repeats that the situation is unchangeable.


It is what it is...
The singer repeats that the situation is unchangeable.




Lyrics Β© DOMINO PUBLISHING COMPANY
Written by: Lookman Adekunle Salami

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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