Passive
Perfect Circle Lyrics


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Dead as dead can be
The doctor tells me
But I just can't believe him
Ever the optimistic one
I'm sure of your ability to become
My perfect enemy

Wake up (why can't you)
And face me (come on now)
Don't play dead (don't play dead)
'cause maybe (because maybe)
Someday I'll walk away and say
You disappoint me
Maybe you're better off this way

Leaning over you here
Cold and catatonic
I catch a brief reflection
What you could and might have been
It's your right and your ability
To become my perfect enemy

Wake up (why can't you)
And face me (come on now)
Don't play dead (don't play dead)
'cause maybe (because maybe)
Someday I'll walk away and say
You disappoint me
Maybe you're better off this way

Maybe you're better off this way [Repeat: x3]

You're better off this
You're better off this
Maybe you're better off

Wake up (why can't you)
And face me (come on now)
Don't play dead (don't play dead)
'cause maybe (because maybe)
Someday I'll walk away and say
You fucking disappoint me
Maybe you're better off this way

Go ahead and play dead
I know that you can hear this
Go ahead and play dead

Why can't you turn and face me [Repeat: x4]

You fucking disappoint me





Passive-aggressive bullshit [Repeat: x12]

Overall Meaning

The song "Passive" by A Perfect Circle is a critique of betrayal and failed relationships. The lyrics speak of a person who is emotionally disconnected from their partner and has withdrawn from the relationship. The singer of the song is an individual who is in denial of their partner's inability to connect with them and face their problems. The doctor tells the singer that his partner is "dead as dead can be," but he still remains optimistic about their relationship. The singer knows that their partner has the potential to become their "perfect enemy" but is still in denial.


The song's chorus urges the partner to wake up and face the issues plaguing their relationship. The singer cannot bear the thought of being disappointed by his partner, and he would rather have them be better off without him. The singer knows that they have lost their partner to indifference and apathy, and they cannot continue in the same vein. The chorus repeats the plea for their partner to wake up and face the problems, but the partner remains passive-aggressive and refuses to cooperate.


"Passive" is a powerful song that speaks of the emotional pain of betrayal and failed relationships. It is a haunting reminder of how easy it is for people to shut down instead of confronting their problems. The song's lyrics capture the raw pain and heartbreak that comes with losing someone to indifference.


Line by Line Meaning

Dead as dead can be The doctor tells me But I just can't believe him Ever the optimistic one I'm sure of your ability to become My perfect enemy
The singer is being told that someone they care about is dead, but they can't bring themselves to believe it. Despite this, they acknowledge that the person in question has the potential to become their enemy.


Wake up (why can't you) And face me (come on now) Don't play dead (don't play dead) 'cause maybe (because maybe) Someday I'll walk away and say You disappoint me Maybe you're better off this way
The singer is pleading with the person they care about to wake up and face the reality of the situation, rather than pretending to be dead. They warn that they may eventually be disappointed and walk away, but ultimately suggest that the person might be better off without them.


Leaning over you here Cold and catatonic I catch a brief reflection What you could and might have been It's your right and your ability To become my perfect enemy
The singer imagines what the person they care about could have achieved, but now sees them as cold and unresponsive. They note that it is within the person's power to become their enemy.


Maybe you're better off this way [Repeat: x3] You're better off this You're better off this Maybe you're better off
The artist repeats the suggestion that the person they care about might be better off without them, but seems to be struggling with the idea.


Wake up (why can't you) And face me (come on now) Don't play dead (don't play dead) 'cause maybe (because maybe) Someday I'll walk away and say You fucking disappoint me Maybe you're better off this way
The artist becomes more confrontational, using profanity to express their disappointment and anger towards the person they care about. However, they still suggest that the person might benefit from being without them.


Go ahead and play dead I know that you can hear this Go ahead and play dead
The singer seems to be taunting the person they care about, acknowledging that they are still alive but not willing to respond.


Why can't you turn and face me [Repeat: x4] You fucking disappoint me
The singer repeats their request for the person to face them, showing increasing frustration and anger.


Passive-aggressive bullshit [Repeat: x12]
The artist repeats a phrase that seems to encapsulate their overall feelings towards the person they care about - that they are being passive-aggressive and not confronting the situation head-on.




Lyrics © EMI Music Publishing, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BILLY HOWERDEL, DANNY LOHNER, TRENT REZNOR, MAYNARD JAMES KEENAN

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@ANewYorkerLostInFlorida

"i'll be lyrics guy today"
Dead as dead can be
The doctor tells me
But I just can't believe him
Ever the optimistic one
I'm sure of your ability
To become my perfect enemy

Wake up, and face me
Don't play dead, cause maybe
Someday I'll walk away and say
You disappoint me
Maybe you're better off this way

Leaning over you here
Cold and catatonic
I catch a brief reflection
Of what you could and might have been
It's your right and your ability
To become my perfect enemy

Wake up(why can't you)
And face me (come on now)
Don't play dead(don't play dead)
Cause maybe(cause maybe)
Someday(someday)
I'll walk away and say
You disappoint me

Maybe you're better off this way(x4)
You're better off this(x2)
Maybe you're better off

Wake up(why can't you)
And face me (come on now)
Don't play dead(don't play dead)
Cause maybe(cause maybe)
Someday(someday)
I'll walk away and say
You fucking disappoint me
Maybe you're better off this way

Go ahead and play dead(GO!)
I know that you can hear this(GO!)
Go ahead and play dead(GO!)
Why can't you turn and face me(GO!)(x4)
You fucking disappoint me!

Passive aggressive bullshit(x12)



@NicolasF.Costoglou

Lyrics:

Dead as dead can be
The doctor tells me
But I just can't believe him
Ever the optimistic one
I'm sure of your ability to become
My perfect enemy

Wake up (why can't you)
And face me (come on now)
Don't play dead (don't play dead)
'cause maybe (because maybe)
Someday I'll walk away and say
You disappoint me
Maybe you're better off this way

Leaning over you here
Cold and catatonic
I catch a brief reflection
What you could and might have been
It's your right and your ability
To become my perfect enemy

Wake up (why can't you)
And face me (come on now)
Don't play dead (don't play dead)
'cause maybe (because maybe)
Someday I'll walk away and say
You disappoint me
Maybe you're better off this way

Maybe you're better off this way
Maybe you're better off this way
Maybe you're better off this way

You're better off this
You're better off this
Maybe you're better off

Wake up (why can't you)
And face me (come on now)
Don't play dead (don't play dead)
'cause maybe (because maybe)
Someday I'll walk away and say
You fucking disappoint me
Maybe you're better off this way

Go ahead and play dead
I know that you can hear this
Go ahead and play dead

Why can't you turn and face me
Why can't you turn and face me
Why can't you turn and face me
Why can't you turn and face me

You fucking disappoint me

Passive-aggressive bullshit
Passive-aggressive bullshit
Passive-aggressive bullshit
Passive-aggressive bullshit
Passive-aggressive bullshit
Passive-aggressive bullshit
Passive-aggressive bullshit
Passive-aggressive bullshit
Passive-aggressive bullshit
Passive-aggressive bullshit
Passive-aggressive bullshit
Passive-aggressive bullshit



All comments from YouTube:

@mirabdulrehman3161

Keanu nailed the personality of Constantine

@CapitanTavish

Mir Abdul Rehman he nails everting

@amberschmidt1114

@@CapitanTavish even your mom

@CapitanTavish

Amber Schmidt yours isn’t an exception either

@CodyG.

Yeah... by being himself.

@Darksaviour

It’s impossible to choose who is the better constatine between him and Matt Ryan

40 More Replies...

@SurajSharma-pv3di

This is a motivational song for me. I listen to this master piece everytime I feel depressed.

@randilybrand1528

Thank u thats also why im here today n its liberating..... from my own bullshit

@SurajSharma-pv3di

@@randilybrand1528 true. I hope you feel well soon.

@Lilmickcrocodiledundee0001

Hope you are both well, always someone here to talk to and help. That's why the metal community is the greatest

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