Son Of A Gun
Motion City Soundtrack Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Are you tough?
Are you broken?
Hit me where it hurts
Don't just curtsy and sulk
I know I deserve every elegant word that you're hurling at me
When I listen to your voice
Squawking noise
With some knots and some stink, I'll seal it
Two raindrops of love forming under your eyelids
As I push you too far
I know I'm a son of a gun
Pissing you off just for fun
You're over dramatic, I'm aerodynamic
It's oh so romantic
That's why I'm a son of a gun
When we started out, there was doubt
There was caution
But I wore you down with my slapstick and passion
Tricks of the trade, I'm a lovable knave
I'm a handful, it's true
All the itty bitty quirks used to work in my favor
Now they tend to rot and affect your behavior
I'm still the same freak, and I may cause pain
But I love you, and that will never change
I know I'm a son of a gun
Pissing you off just for fun
You're over dramatic, I'm aerodynamic
It's oh so romantic
That's why I'm a son of a gun
Yeah, turn it up
You're over dramatic, I'm aerodynamic
It's oh so romantic
Your heart's filled with panic
If you're the Titanic, I'll swim the Atlantic
Addictions I can kick
To movies you don't think I hate
Those romance flicks
That's why I'm a son of a gun
The lyrics of Motion City Soundtrack's "Son of a Gun" capture the dynamics of a seemingly volatile relationship. The singer is fully cognizant of the fact that he hurts his partner and admits to being a "son of a gun" for doing so. However, he becomes defensive of his actions and implies that his partner is overreacting to his behavior. This conflict is further exacerbated by the singer's acknowledgement of his partner's tears and his own inability to change. The lyrics also suggest the singer's affection for his partner, but this is offset against his tendency to cause her pain.
The use of imagery and wordplay in the lyrics adds layers of meaning that deepen our understanding of the relationship dynamic. For instance, "squawking noise" may allude to the partner's angry tone, but it also suggests that the singer finds her unintelligible. Similarly, the reference to "two raindrops of love forming under your eyelids" juxtaposes the positive sentiment of "love" with the negative connotation of "tears."
Overall, the lyrics of "Son of a Gun" explore the complex dynamics of a relationship where one partner's actions cause pain to the other, but where both still have deep feelings for each other.
Line by Line Meaning
Have you had enough?
Asking if the other person has had enough of his behavior.
Are you tough?
Questioning if the other person can handle his antics.
Are you broken?
Asking if his behavior has hurt the other person.
Hit me where it hurts
Asking the other person to retaliate against him.
Don't just curtsy and sulk
Asking the other person to not simply accept his behavior and feel sad.
I know I deserve every elegant word that you're hurling at me
Acknowledging that he deserves the insults the other person is throwing at him.
When I listen to your voice
Reflecting on the other person's words.
Squawking noise
Mocking the other person's voice.
I am thinking how to count on back
Planning to retaliate against the other person.
With some knots and some stink, I'll seal it
Planning to take revenge against the other person.
Two raindrops of love forming under your eyelids
Claiming that the other person still loves him despite his behavior.
As I push you too far
Acknowledging that he has gone too far with his behavior.
I know I'm a son of a gun
Admitting that he is a difficult person to deal with.
Pissing you off just for fun
Admitting that he enjoys making the other person angry.
You're over dramatic, I'm aerodynamic
Comparing the other person's emotions to his own carefree behavior.
It's oh so romantic
Claiming that their dynamic is romantic despite the difficulties.
That's why I'm a son of a gun
Explaining that his behavior is part of who he is.
When we started out, there was doubt
Recalling the beginning of their relationship and the struggles they faced.
There was caution
Remembering that both parties were wary when they first started dating.
But I wore you down with my slapstick and passion
Claiming that he won the other person over with his humor and passion.
Tricks of the trade, I'm a lovable knave
Admitting that he has a few tricks up his sleeve to charm the other person.
I'm a handful, it's true
Admitting that he can be difficult to deal with.
All the itty bitty quirks used to work in my favor
Remembering how his quirks used to endear him to the other person.
Now they tend to rot and affect your behavior
Recognizing that his behavior is now starting to negatively affect the other person.
I'm still the same freak, and I may cause pain
Admitting that he is still difficult to deal with and can cause pain.
But I love you, and that will never change
Reassuring the other person that he still loves them.
Your heart's filled with panic
Observing that the other person is feeling panicked.
If you're the Titanic, I'll swim the Atlantic
Saying that he will always be there for the other person through difficult times.
Addictions I can kick
Claiming that he can change his behavior.
To movies you don't think I hate
Acknowledging that he likes movies the other person does not.
Those romance flicks
Specifically naming the movies he likes that the other person dislikes.
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Carrot Sticks
Have you had enough, are you tough, are you broken?
Hit me where it hurts, don't just curtsy and sulk
I know I deserve every elegant word that you're hurling at me
When I listen to your voice, squawking noise, I am thinking
How to counter back with some nonsense and stink
I see little rain drops of love forming under your eyelids as I push you too far
I know I'm a son of a gun
Pissing you off just for fun
You're overdramatic, I'm aerodynamic
It's all so romantic
That's why I'm a son of a gun
When we started out, there was doubt, there was caution
But I wore you down with my slapstick and passion
Tricks of the trade, I'm a lovable knave
I'm a handful, it's true
All the itty bitty quirks used to work in my favor
Now they tend to rot and affect your behavior
I'm still the same freakanomical pain
But I love ya, and that will never change
I know I'm a son of a gun
Pissing you off just for fun
You're overdramatic, I'm aerodynamic
It's all so romantic
That's why I'm a son of a gun
You're overdramatic, I'm aerodynamic
It's all so romantic
Our hearts filled with panic
If you're the titanic, I'll swim the Atlantic
Addictions I can't kick
To movies you don't pick, I hate those romance flicks
That's why I'm a son of a gun
Matthew M
There was a point in my life where I didn't think I'd survive the year. Long story short this song was there for me, even though the lyrics didn't apply, it helped me in such a profound way. I'll never forget that
Matt
That's the great thing about great music, it doesn't always matter what the lyrics are
Skylar State
Very much the same
Carrot Sticks
Have you had enough, are you tough, are you broken?
Hit me where it hurts, don't just curtsy and sulk
I know I deserve every elegant word that you're hurling at me
When I listen to your voice, squawking noise, I am thinking
How to counter back with some nonsense and stink
I see little rain drops of love forming under your eyelids as I push you too far
I know I'm a son of a gun
Pissing you off just for fun
You're overdramatic, I'm aerodynamic
It's all so romantic
That's why I'm a son of a gun
When we started out, there was doubt, there was caution
But I wore you down with my slapstick and passion
Tricks of the trade, I'm a lovable knave
I'm a handful, it's true
All the itty bitty quirks used to work in my favor
Now they tend to rot and affect your behavior
I'm still the same freakanomical pain
But I love ya, and that will never change
I know I'm a son of a gun
Pissing you off just for fun
You're overdramatic, I'm aerodynamic
It's all so romantic
That's why I'm a son of a gun
You're overdramatic, I'm aerodynamic
It's all so romantic
Our hearts filled with panic
If you're the titanic, I'll swim the Atlantic
Addictions I can't kick
To movies you don't pick, I hate those romance flicks
That's why I'm a son of a gun
Ezra Golebiowski
Why has it taken 4 years to realise how flippin sick this song is!!!! One of my favourites for sure!!!
Val Blacutt
Probably my favorite song off this album.
Luis Sumaya
Absolutely love this song, I drive trucks all day long, Pandora station- Motion City Soundtrack. All day every Day.
Pie A La Mode
Luis Sumaya Nice!!!
Morgan Henderson
I just love his voice so damn much
Jack Leon Concordia
I never checked the lyrics until now, and never really tried hard to hear what he was singing. I loved the song before, but I love this song even more now, haha!
"I know I'm a son of a gun,
Pissing you off just for fun.
You're overdramatic, I'm aerodynamic.
It's oh so romantic.
That's why I'm a son of a gun."