http://www.nathanielrateliff.com/
Members:
Nathaniel Rateliff
Patrick Meese
Julie Davis
Joseph Pope III
James Han
We Never Win
Nathaniel Rateliff Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Looks a lot like me
Looks a lot like me
And he shares the blame
With a younger face
It's hard and rushed to see
And it's hard for us to see
Is it cold enough
Does it chatter your teeth
And the wind won't set you free
And it never has
Like an old time revival
Shake your hands, and shake your hips
Put up all my armour
Let me stand bear, with just two fists
The lyrics of Nathaniel Rateliff's We Never Win tell the story of a young manic boy who bears a striking physical resemblance to the singer. This boy shares the blame for something with someone else, likely the singer himself, though it's difficult for outsiders to see the full picture. The lyrics go on to describe the harsh conditions this boy must endure, as the cold wind chatters his teeth and offers no respite.
The comparison to an "old time revival" suggests a spiritual or emotional struggle, as the boy metaphorically shakes his hands and hips in an attempt to exorcise his inner demons. The singer, too, must put up his own armor and face his problems head-on, even when he feels vulnerable and exposed. The final lines - "Let me stand bear, with just two fists" - suggest a willingness to face whatever may come, to fight with strength and courage even in the face of defeat.
Line by Line Meaning
He's a manic boy
The singer knows someone who is constantly feeling anxious or overexcited.
Looks a lot like me
The singer sees himself in this manic boy, feeling a similar way.
And he shares the blame
The singer recognizes that he is also to blame for feeling this way, and wants to help the manic boy understand this.
With a younger face
The manic boy is still young and has time to learn and grow.
It's hard and rushed to see
The artist is having trouble understanding the manic boy's situation because it seems overwhelming and complicated.
And it's hard for us to see
Others may not understand the manic boy's situation either.
But I can tell
Despite the difficulty in understanding, the singer knows that something is not right and wants to help the manic boy.
Is it cold enough
The artist is asking if the environment is harsh and unforgiving.
Does it chatter your teeth
The artist is asking if the situation is causing physical discomfort or pain.
And the wind won't set you free
Even when conditions improve, the manic boy still feels trapped and weighed down by his situation.
And it never has
The situation has always been difficult and oppressive for the manic boy.
Like an old time revival
The artist is comparing the situation to a religious gathering or ceremony.
Shake your hands, and shake your hips
The singer is urging the manic boy to let go of his anxiety and dance.
Put up all my armour
The singer is willing to be vulnerable and take off his defenses to help the manic boy.
Let me stand bear, with just two fists
The singer is willing to face the situation head-on with only his own strength and resources.
Contributed by Ethan B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.