Mistake
Middle Kids Lyrics


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Oh, my darling, pick you up just to let you drop
When we got started, I was guarded
I almost forgot about you
It was charming, the way we danced around the truth
We were smiling and always hiding
And when I feel we're somehow quickly slowing

Thought I was healthy but I'm choking
It must be catching up, my smoking
I wish that I never played

You're standing out in the rain tonight
Like you've got something to say to God
And you got a debt to pay back
For something you did way back
You're standing out in the rain tonight
Like you got something to say to God
And you got a debt to pay back
For something you did way back
You wanna make it okay

What's the problem? Spilling up some of my guts
One day you're fine, the next you're crying
And suddenly your engine just stops going

Thought you were healthy but you're choking
It must be catching up, your smoking
I wish that you never played

You're standing out in the rain tonight
Like you've got something to say to God
And you got a debt to pay back
For something you did way back
You're standing out in the rain, tonight
Like you've got something to say to God
Have you got a debt to pay back
For something you did way back?
You wanna make it okay

You're standing out in the rain tonight
Like you've got something to say to God
And he's got a debt to pay back
For something he did way back
You're standing out in the rain tonight
Like you've got something to say to God
Have you got a debt to pay back




For something you did way back?
You wanna make it okay

Overall Meaning

The first verse of Middle Kids's song Mistake appears to describe a destructive relationship dynamic, with the singer "pick[ing] [their partner] up just to let [them] drop". The singer also suggests that at the beginning of their relationship, they were "guarded" and nearly forgot about their partner, but as time went on, they hid their problems and danced around the truth. The second verse follows a similar pattern, with the singer now describing their partner's struggles and seeming to empathize with them: "One day you're fine, the next you're crying / And suddenly your engine just stops going". In both verses, the metaphor of smoking and choking is used, seemingly representing the ways in which the individual problems of both partners build up and choke the relationship.


The chorus features a repetition of the phrase "standing out in the rain tonight", which seems to represent a moment of emotional exposure or reckoning. The line "like you've got something to say to God" adds a spiritual element to the song, suggesting that the issues within the relationship are larger than just the couple themselves. The repetition of the phrase "for something you did way back" implies that there are long-standing issues between the couple that they are unable to resolve. Despite this, the repeated phrase "you wanna make it okay" suggests a desire to heal and move forward.


Overall, Middle Kids's song Mistake appears to be a poignant commentary on the ways in which individual problems and past traumas can disrupt otherwise loving relationships. The use of the rain metaphor and references to God highlight the emotional weight and larger-than-life nature of these issues, but ultimately the repeated refrain of "you wanna make it okay" suggests that despite the difficulties, there is still hope for resolution and healing.


Line by Line Meaning

Oh, my darling, pick you up just to let you drop
I would act like I care for you and then abandon you.


When we got started, I was guarded
I had my walls up when our relationship began.


I almost forgot about you
I almost moved on from our relationship.


It was charming, the way we danced around the truth
Our ability to lie and deceive each other was attractive.


We were smiling and always hiding
We were putting on a facade while hiding our true feelings.


And when I feel we're somehow quickly slowing
I sense that our relationship is losing momentum.


Thought I was healthy but I'm choking
I thought I was doing well, but I am struggling internally.


It must be catching up, my smoking
My unhealthy behavior is finally taking its toll on me.


I wish that I never played
I regret playing games and being dishonest in our relationship.


You're standing out in the rain tonight
You are out in the elements, feeling vulnerable.


Like you've got something to say to God
You may feel like you need to confess or seek forgiveness.


And you got a debt to pay back
You feel guilty or indebted for something from your past.


For something you did way back
The guilt is associated with a past action or decision.


You wanna make it okay
You want to reconcile and make amends for the past.


What's the problem? Spilling up some of my guts
Letting out my feelings and addressing the issue at hand.


One day you're fine, the next you're crying
Your emotional state is unpredictable.


And suddenly your engine just stops going
You lose the drive and motivation to keep going.


Thought you were healthy but you're choking
You thought you were okay, but you are struggling internally.


It must be catching up, your smoking
Your unhealthy behavior is finally taking its toll on you.


You're standing out in the rain tonight
You are out in the elements, feeling vulnerable.


Like you've got something to say to God
You may feel like you need to confess or seek forgiveness.


Have you got a debt to pay back
You may feel guilty or indebted for something from your past.


For something you did way back?
The guilt is associated with a past action or decision.


You wanna make it okay
You want to reconcile and make amends for the past.


You're standing out in the rain tonight
You are out in the elements, feeling vulnerable.


Like you've got something to say to God
You may feel like you need to confess or seek forgiveness.


And he's got a debt to pay back
You may feel like God owes you something for your suffering.


For something he did way back
The suffering may be the result of something in the past.


Have you got a debt to pay back
You may feel guilty or indebted for something from your past.


For something you did way back?
The guilt is associated with a past action or decision.


You wanna make it okay
You want to reconcile and make amends for the past.




Lyrics © DOMINO PUBLISHING COMPANY
Written by: Hannah Joy Cameron, Timothy Mark Simcoe Fitzmaurice

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

Andrea Kollars

Heard them for the first time on Jimmy Kimmel tonight! Love them.....sound a lot like the Cranberries. I am a 75 year old Great Grandma, who loves all kinds of music! AC/DC is, just, one of my favorites!

Tactical Easel

Jimmy Kimmel does not deserve this.

mayanroses 1

Among the best choruses I have heard in my entire life.

Gilbert Aguilar

Guitar and Lyrics, right!?

Mark Fairhurst

That’s a killer chorus. Well done.

Joseph Fitzgibbon

If this is anything to go by, 2018 is the year Middle Kids finally get the recognition they deserve 🙏🏻

Potato Monster

Exactly!! Are You A Middle Child Too? Because Oh My God It Sucks!!

Gus Maia

just discovered them and I totally hope that happens!

Sohrab Godrej

Joseph Fitzgibbon
A band this talented cannot ever get the recognition it deserves

fireorb2

Same here, instantly hooked I discovered them today!

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