Janie
Off With Their Heads Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Why do I feel like I'm always
Gonna get it right next time,
When every time I open my eyes
I repeat the same shit that makes
Me lose at everything I do.
Every time I try to do good
I'm made a fool,
A fucking cesspool of lies,
But in my head I think they're true.

I think it's time I clear my mind,
And fess up for everytime I've lied.
But not tonight, theres not enough time.
I'd rather just get high and write down
All the times I've been this low,
And all the shit I've put you through.
You'll never know
I'm a selfish imbecile.
You don't love me,
You love what I say to you.

I fucking hate myself,
I hate my friends.
I hate my job, I hate everything but you.

I fucking hate myself,
I hate my friends.
I hate my job, I hate everything but you.

This is why I can not tell you what you deserve to know.
If you leave I swear I'll end it all right here.




Do you really want me to?
I just don't know what the fuck else I should do.

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Off With Their Heads’s song Janie explore a person’s struggle with self-hatred and their fear of the consequences of their past actions. The singer repeatedly tries to do good but feels like a fool and a “cesspool of lies” whenever they fail. The constant repetition of their mistakes causes them to feel like they will never get it right, leading them to hate themselves and everything around them. However, the one thing they believe they love is the person they are addressing in the song – “you”.


The singer expresses guilt for lying in the past but is too afraid to confess at the moment. Instead, they turn to getting high and writing down their emotions. They acknowledge that they have put this person through a lot of shit, but they will never truly understand how selfish and flawed the singer is. Through the chorus of “I hate everything but you,” the singer establishes their one source of hope – the love of the person they are addressing. The outro of the song further demonstrates the singer's dependency on this love as they ask if the person wants them to end it all, admitting to being lost.


Interestingly, the song seems to be referencing Janie Jones, who is a character in the movie and song of the same name by The Clash. This adds another layer of complexity to the song as the character Janie Jones in The Clash’s work was a hotel worker who sold drugs to guests, so perhaps the singer of this song is also battling addiction.


Line by Line Meaning

Why do I feel like I'm always
The singer wonders why despite their efforts to do better, they always end up making the same mistakes.


Gonna get it right next time,
The singer is optimistic that they will perform better in the future despite their past failures.


When every time I open my eyes
The singer expresses how overwhelming it is for them to confront their past mistakes.


I repeat the same shit that makes
The artist acknowledges how their repeated behavior has led to negative consequences.


Me lose at everything I do.
The artist laments how their actions have resulted in failure across the board.


Every time I try to do good
The singer has positive intentions but struggles to follow through on them.


I'm made a fool,
The world perceives the singer's efforts as foolish.


A fucking cesspool of lies,
The artist sees themselves as dishonest and fraudulent.


But in my head I think they're true.
The artist justifies their deceit to themselves.


I think it's time I clear my mind,
The artist acknowledges that they need to come clean and be honest with themselves and others.


And fess up for everytime I've lied.
The singer feels the need to confess their past dishonesty.


But not tonight, theres not enough time.
The artist is hesitant to come clean immediately and needs more time to collect their thoughts.


I'd rather just get high and write down
The singer copes with their problems by getting high and writing down their thoughts.


All the times I've been this low,
The singer reflects on their lowest moments and experiences.


And all the shit I've put you through.
The singer recognizes the negative impact their actions have had on others, specifically their loved ones.


You'll never know
The artist is aware that their loved ones may never truly understand the depth of their mistakes and regrets.


I'm a selfish imbecile.
The artist harshly criticizes themselves for being self-centered and foolish.


You don't love me,
The singer doubts the authenticity of their loved ones' affection for them.


You love what I say to you.
The singer believes that their loved ones only appreciate what they are told and not who they truly are.


I fucking hate myself,
The artist has an intensely negative self-image and self-loathing.


I hate my friends.
The artist feels overwhelmed and negatively impacted by their relationships with others.


I hate my job, I hate everything but you.
The artist finds no joy in external factors except for their loved ones.


This is why I can not tell you what you deserve to know.
The singer fears the consequences and reactions of being honest with their loved ones.


If you leave I swear I'll end it all right here.
The artist's life largely revolves around their relationship with their loved ones, and without them, they have nothing to live for.


Do you really want me to?
The singer begs the question of whether their loved ones care enough to truly want to know what's going on with them.


I just don't know what the fuck else I should do.
The singer feels lost and has no idea how to overcome their issues and be honest with their loved ones without losing them.




Contributed by Noah E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Comments from YouTube:

Scott Rigney

I love this band!!!

Renzo

This is one for the playlist, good shit!!!! 🤟

Robert Wiegand

Man these guys get it. The struggle is real!

thatdamnpunk

Fucking great song! 

beaniemama crochetpaws

new found favourite band . cheers ben ,

SneakyPriest42

Not tonight, there's not enough time!

Donatos Pizza Summerville

Great version, but they all have been

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