You Should've Seen the Other Guy
Nathaniel Rateliff Lyrics


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We get out of this fight
You gonna help me wrap my hands
Stitching up my eyes
You know blood can blind
And them was big old boys
Had fists like cinder and stone
I dodge a blade on the dime
And they was out to cut my throat
It's a lot, It's a mark they're gonna press down on you
It's a haze on my head, must've been hit too hard, off guard
I think I'm gonna be it tonight
If there's one way out
It's to swing my way through the crowd
Is there a blanket of pain
That I can wrap up in
You've got a hold of me now
Hey that's a helluva grip
And I admit I was tanked
And you could say I was pissing gin
It's hard to see even if I close my eyes
It's fifteen degrees I'm gonna sleep outside




Cos I got no way to feel and no way to ride
I'm busted laid up and dry

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Nathaniel Rateliff's song, "You Should've Seen the Other Guy," revolves around a dramatic fight scene where the singer is injured and seeking help to escape his adversaries. The song begins with the singer seeking help from someone to stitch up his injuries from a fight he had with huge men who had fists like cinder and stone. The singer describes how he had to dodge a blade that was out to cut his throat. The pain from the injuries is evident in the lyrics as he describes the haze in his head, questioning whether he will make it through the night. As the song progresses, he ponders over the possibility of finding a blanket of pain to wrap himself up in.


The song is heartfelt and emotional, and the lyrics are the epitome of vulnerability. The singer is portrayed as someone who is not invincible, a relatable character for many. The story is told with profound detail that perfectly captures the atmosphere of the fight and the aftermath of the encounter. The pain, fear, and desperation of the singer are palpable, making the song more relatable.


Line by Line Meaning

We get out of this fight
We need to escape from this violent altercation.


You gonna help me wrap my hands
Can you assist me in bandaging my wounded hands?


Stitching up my eyes
I need to have my eyes repaired from the injuries I sustained.


You know blood can blind
It's possible that the bloodshed from our fight may temporarily impair our vision.


And them was big old boys
My opponents were heavily built and muscular.


Had fists like cinder and stone
Their punches were incredibly hard and forceful.


I dodge a blade on the dime
I managed to narrowly evade a knife attack.


And they was out to cut my throat
They were aiming to kill me.


It's a lot, It's a mark they're gonna press down on you
It's quite overwhelming and they'll make sure to take full advantage of the situation.


It's a haze on my head, must've been hit too hard, off guard
I'm feeling a bit confused and disoriented after being struck suddenly and with great force.


I think I'm gonna be it tonight
I believe that I may not survive until the end of the evening.


If there's one way out
If there's any chance of escape or survival.


It's to swing my way through the crowd
I may have to fight my way out by moving aggressively through the people around me.


Is there a blanket of pain
Is there any way to alleviate or mask the physical discomfort I'm experiencing?


That I can wrap up in
I need something to comfort me, to wrap myself in.


You've got a hold of me now
You're helping to steady me and keep me from falling apart both emotionally and physically.


Hey that's a helluva grip
You have an exceptionally firm and capable grip.


And I admit I was tanked
I must confess that I was heavily intoxicated.


And you could say I was pissing gin
In fact, I was drinking so much that I was, to put it bluntly, urinating straight gin.


It's hard to see even if I close my eyes
It's difficult to discern the world around me even when I try to shut out outside stimuli.


It's fifteen degrees I'm gonna sleep outside
It's incredibly cold and unpleasant outside, but I'll be forced to rest there regardless.


Cos I got no way to feel and no way to ride
Because I'm numb and hurting, I can't even feel the cold weather or get back on my feet.


I'm busted laid up and dry
I'm badly injured, unable to move, and without any resources to help me out of this dire situation.




Writer(s): Nathaniel David Rateliff

Contributed by Allison G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Comments from YouTube:

@utahfan3609

This video was made long before NR made it nationally. He is singing with Night Sweats band member Joseph Pope's wife - Julie Davis. Nathaniel is good guy who had a hard childhood - could not attend high school. Instead had to work to support his Mother and siblings since his Dad died young. After 20 years of singing around Denver area, HE deserves the national fame now! YAH!

@romulus807

I couldn't agree more great guy and singer

@brookstormhonorblade2782

Trying real hard to spread the word. Started falling in love at one of his concerts in Seattle. Instantly fell for his music. 9 months later I have seen him in Seattle, Jackson Hole, and had tix to see him in Barcelona but didn't make it. Now I am in Bahrain and would love to see those guys play out here, perhaps USO tour or something. My bff saw them in Atlanta recently and said it was wet all the way through but he totally rocked and climbed the scaffolding. Sad I missed it.

@fabienneeveraert3268

shaekspeare sisters

@miketrew9715

Amazin talent Greetins fae Scotland

@ChrisBeardsley

Thanks for this backgrounder - I'd love to learn more. And, while I did not have it nearly as hard as that, my life has had its moments. It's amusing to me that I'm really really into this music and feel like I can relate to it well.

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@zeuslee4442

This guy is one hell of a songwriter.

@GeirAndreTonning

Yhea and a singer this text white his amazing voice and a band that i think would walk truh fire and kicked the hell out of hell, they seems like a brotherhood.love,em

@michaelelliott3209

I know the basic origins of this tune, but the song speaks of more than just a brawl in an alley or wherever. Sometimes life deals us these seemingly insurmountable odds and the only way out is to keep on "swinging." Thank you Mr. Rateliff for adding a great song to my own guitar repertoire. You are a priceless diamond shining in the stratosphere!!!

@a-z1729

This duet gives me so much joy & healing. Thank you.

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