Clumsy
Our Lady Peace Lyrics
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Suitcase that keeps you awake
Hide the telephone, the telephone, telephone in case
You realize that sometimes you're just not okay
You level off, you level off, you level off
But it's not alright now
You need to understand
There's nothing strange about this
You need to know that
I'll be waving my hand
Watching you drown
Watching you scream
Quiet or loud
And maybe you should sleep
And maybe you just need
A friend as clumsy as you've been
There's no one laughing
You will be safe in here
You will be safe in here
Throw away this very old shoelace
That tripped you again
Try and shrug it off, shrug it off, shrug it off
It's only skin now
You need to understand
There's nothing fake about this
You need to let me in
I'm watching you and
I'll be waving my hand
Watching you drown
Watching you scream
No one's around
And maybe you should sleep
And maybe you just need
A friend as clumsy as you've been
There's no one laughing
You will be safe in here
You will be safe in
Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh. ooh, ooh
Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh
Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh (la, la, la, la)
I'll be waving my hand
Watching you drown
Watching you scream
Quiet or loud
And maybe you should sleep
And maybe you just need
A friend as clumsy as you've been
There's no one laughing
You will be safe in here
You will be safe in here
You will be safe in here
In here, ow
In here, ow
In here, ow
In here, ow
In here, ow
In here
The lyrics to Our Lady Peace's song Clumsy depict a message of support and reassurance to someone who is struggling with their own emotions and insecurities. The song begins with the suggestion to throw away the distractions and the noise of life, such as the radio and phone, and to know that it's okay to not always feel okay. The singer then offers a sense of camaraderie, stating that they, too, understand the feeling of being "clumsy," and that they will be there to support the other person, both in their quiet moments and in their screams. The repeated refrain of "maybe you just need a friend as clumsy as you've been" reinforces the idea that it's okay to be imperfect and that everyone needs someone to lean on from time to time.
The chorus highlights the singer's own helplessness in the situation, as they can only watch as the other person struggles. Despite this, they offer their presence as a source of comfort, promising that "there's no one laughing" and "you will be safe in here." The song's overall message is one of understanding and non-judgment, portraying an image of friendship and comfort in the midst of life's difficulties.
Line by Line Meaning
Throw away the radio
Get rid of the thing that distracts you and numbs your feelings
Suitcase that keeps you awake
Eliminate the baggage in your life that prevents you from sleeping peacefully
Hide the telephone, the telephone, telephone in case
Disconnect from people and the outside world when you feel overwhelmed and need to be alone
You realize that sometimes you're just not okay
Acknowledge that it's okay to feel vulnerable and not be okay sometimes
You level off, you level off, you level off
You try to stabilize and balance yourself
But it's not alright now
Things are not okay despite your efforts to balance yourself
You need to understand
You need to comprehend the situation and accept reality
There's nothing strange about this
It's normal to feel this way sometimes
You need to know your friends
You need to rely on your support system of friends when you are feeling down
I'll be waving my hand
I will be there for you, trying to help you through this
Watching you drown
Watching you struggle with your problems
Watching you scream
Seeing you suffer and make noise
Quiet or loud
Whether you suffer silently or loudly, I will observe and care for you
And maybe you should sleep
Maybe you need some rest and respite from your problems
And maybe you just need
Perhaps all you need is someone to be there for you and support you
A friend as clumsy as you've been
Someone who can empathize and relate to you, even with their own faults and mistakes
There's no one laughing
There is no one mocking or teasing you for feeling this way
You will be safe in here
You will be protected and taken care of here
Throw away this very old shoelace
Remove the small but nagging problems in your life
That tripped you again
The things that cause you to stumble and fall, again and again
Try and shrug it off, shrug it off, shrug it off
Try to shake off the negative feelings and be resilient in the face of adversity
It's only skin now
It's not as deep as it seems
There's nothing fake about this
This is real and authentic, not a facade or an act
You need to let me in
You need to trust me and allow me to help you
No one's around
You may feel lonely, but I am still here for you
Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh. ooh, ooh
Vocalizations expressing the intensity of the situation
In here, ow
This place offers safety and comfort despite the challenges outside
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: Arnold Lanni, Michael Maida
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@reven4215
This song always felt very personal for me, its like my depression, personified, is singing to me.
The first few lines; 'Throw away the radio
Suitcase that keeps you awake
Hide the telephone' speaks to how I try to drown out my sorrows by listening to sad music which ultimately just makes me feel worse, my feeling of wanting to escape my life and the idea that seeing beautiful things might make me feel like life is worth living, and now more than ever with cellphones, the need to 'hide the telephone' to keep myself to spilling my emotions on people.
Being in a deep depression really feels like you are drowning, you feel tired just from existing.
The lines 'as clumsy as you've been, there's no one laughing' speaks to how I've always tried to be the entertainer, to make people around me happy and laugh, and how I've always felt that deep down they still don't like me.
'maybe you just need a friend' I've never been more happy in my life than when I have a partner. Unhealthy as it sounds to rely on someone else for your happiness I've always felt like I mattered, like I wasn't an after thought and like I had a best friend that I could do anything with and share anything with while in a relationship.
No idea why someone would bother to read my personal interpretation of this song but there it is. I had to write out what I've had in my head since first hearing this years and years ago.
@abc0xyx
Throw away the radio
Suitcase keeps you awake
Hide the telephone, the telephone, telephone in case
You realize that some times your just not okay
You level off, you level off, you level off
But it's not alright now
You need to understand, there's nothing strange about this
You need to know your friends
You need to know thatI'll be waving my hands
Watching you drown
Watching you scream
Quiet or loudAnd maybe you should sleep
And maybe you just need, a friend
As clumsy as you've been
There's no one laughing
You will be safe in hereThrow away this very old, shoe lace
That tripped you again
Try to shrug it off, shrug it off, shrug it off
But it's only skin now
You need to understand
There's nothing fake about this
You need to let me in
I'm watching you and I'll be waving my hands
Watching you drown
Watching you scream
No one's aroundI'll be waving my hands
Watching you drown
Watching you scream
Quiet or loud
@allyfowlks9067
Not to be repetitive but I grew up in the late 80s and the 90s and I truly realize just how blessed and fortunate I am. It was the real deal.
@calebhawkins6137
It's something I thank god for, often.
@alexbryant83
༼ つ ◕_◕ ༽つ
@marieward7204
This is the epitome of the 90s right here
@SouthernSummoners
well said! your comment gave me chills..people are so different these days..im thankful i grew up in those times too..i find myself looking back a lot..🤘🏻
@danielcallahan631
Seriously was the best time to grow up, crazy first time to the world new shit being thrown at us every day.... ESPECIALLY MUSIC!
@monos70
I'm 45 now, and yes....the 90's was indeed the LAST great decade.
@ryantong5647
Yes indeed :) so glad I got to be there. 40 here btw. Doesnt it seem like yesterday?
@kaitlinsmackenzie
Just turned 40 and I agree
@drdst27
43 here. Yes, you are correct.