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You Can't Always Get What You Want
Positive Reinforcement Lyrics
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will always moan and complain for their just desserts.
it’s the ebb and flow, the to and fro’
this fucking mess that i’ve made of myself.
a second chance,
a kick in the pants,
a curtain call,
it’s a kick in the balls.
you can’t always get what you want.
but if you try sometime, you just might find you get what you fucking deserve.
a second chance
or a kick in the pants.
it’s all the fucking same to me.
In Positive Reinforcement's song "You Can't Always Get What You Want," the lyrics describe the struggle of not always getting what you want in life. The lines "tricky dicks in tacky shirts will always moan and complain for their just desserts" suggest that people who constantly complain and are never satisfied will never truly be happy. The "ebb and flow" and "to and fro" refer to the ups and downs and back-and-forth nature of life, and the idea that the singer has made a mess of their own life. The sentiment of "a kick in the pants" and "a curtain call" suggest a desire for a wake-up call or a fresh start.
The repeated phrase "you can't always get what you want" emphasizes the theme of disappointment and frustration, but the final line of the song "but if you try sometime, you just might find you get what you fucking deserve" offers a glimmer of hope that if you work hard enough or make the right choices, you can achieve your goals. The use of profanity in the lyrics adds to the raw emotion and frustration conveyed in the song.
Line by Line Meaning
tricky dicks in tacky shirts
People who are sleazy and poorly dressed will always complain about not receiving the rewards they feel they deserve.
will always moan and complain for their just desserts.
These individuals will always feel entitled to getting what they believe is rightfully theirs and will not stop complaining until they receive it.
it’s the ebb and flow, the to and fro’
Life is a constant series of ups and downs, back and forth. Changing and unpredictable.
this fucking mess that i’ve made of myself.
I've created a very difficult and complicated situation for myself through my own actions.
a second chance,
An opportunity to try again or make amends for past mistakes.
a kick in the pants,
A harsh or abrupt wake-up call, often necessary to prompt action or change.
a curtain call,
A final performance, usually associated with the end of a career, project, or life.
it’s a kick in the balls.
A sudden and painful setback, often emotionally difficult and disheartening.
you can’t always get what you want.
Life doesn't always work out as planned, and sometimes you won't get what you desire or feel entitled to.
but if you try sometime, you just might find you get what you fucking deserve.
However, if you're willing to put in the effort, you may end up with achieving what you've earned through hard work and perseverance.
it’s all the fucking same to me.
But ultimately, whether it's a second chance or a swift kick in the pants, it doesn't matter to me - I just want to make progress and move forward.
Contributed by Asher A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.