http://www.nathanielrateliff.com/
Members:
Nathaniel Rateliff
Patrick Meese
Julie Davis
Joseph Pope III
James Han
Three Fingers In
Nathaniel Rateliff Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And that'd be a long way from the way that you spoke
And you read so clearly without break of breath or words redefining
I was stuck on my pride, and the skin, and the sinking it in
And you told me "Wipe your brow, clean me off. Give me time to figure it out."
Some songs we could sing and never mean them
Some songs leave a ring and you hate the few who were bold
Some burn up the sleeve and drive to far to remember
I was the junkyard and the bumper for the few feeling left
I was the coat nail and the ice on the sheets of the drenched and the soaking wet
Well it'd be the bit and the reigns that broke all the teeth in the mouth
And it'd be the whip onthe foreskin for the few that had some left to spare
Some songs we could sing and never mean them
Some songs leave a ring and you hate the few that were bold
Some burn up the sleeve and drive too far to remember
Ahhhh
The song "Three Fingers In" by Nathaniel Rateliff exemplifies the power of the language of music to evoke emotions and create imagery in the minds of listeners. The first verse speaks about the weight of the singer's emotions and how hard it is for anything or anyone to move him. However, someone spoke to him in a way he had never heard before, and it made him realize he was stuck in a cycle of negative thoughts and behaviors. The second verse, on the other hand, talks about how some songs create a lasting impact on us while others do not essentially mean anything. The singer feels stuck in a particular situation and feels disconnected from the world around him.
In the chorus, the singer repeats the phrase "Some songs we could sing and never mean them, Some songs leave a ring and blah blah blah," showing how certain music stays with us throughout our lives, either affecting us positively or negatively.
Line by Line Meaning
Well it would take a mountain of men to move me
I am a strong willed person and it takes a lot to sway me or change my mind.
And that'd be a long way from the way that you spoke
Your words and actions are not enough to change my mind, it would take something much grander to do so.
And you read so clearly without break of breath or words redefining
You speak with great clarity and conviction, without hesitation or need for explanation.
I was stuck on my pride, and the skin, and the sinking it in
I was too caught up in my own pride and ego to see the reality of the situation or what was best for me.
And you told me "Wipe your brow, clean me off. Give me time to figure it out."
You advised me to take a step back, collect myself, and give you time to sort out your thoughts and feelings.
Some songs we could sing and never mean them
There are certain songs that we may sing, but not truly believe or feel the meaning behind the lyrics.
Some songs leave a ring and you hate the few who were bold
Certain songs can stick with you and evoke negative feelings towards those who had the courage to express themselves through the song.
Some burn up the sleeve and drive to far to remember
Some songs can have such a powerful impact that it becomes a distant memory or too painful to revisit.
Well I wasn't lost, I was here, I was three fingers in
Despite feeling lost or out of place, I was present and committed to the situation, giving it my best effort.
I was the junkyard and the bumper for the few feeling left
I served as a support system for those who were feeling down, neglected or alone.
I was the coat nail and the ice on the sheets of the drenched and the soaking wet
I was both an anchor and the source of comfort for those enduring hardship and upheaval in their lives.
Well it'd be the bit and the reigns that broke all the teeth in the mouth
Sometimes it's the little things, like submission and control, that can cause the most harm or damage.
And it'd be the whip on the foreskin for the few that had some left to spare
There are those who may have seemingly endless reserves of strength or perseverance, but even they have their limits.
Ahhhh
An expression of cathartic release or relief.
Contributed by Reagan M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.