Substitute
Ramones Lyrics

You think we look pretty good together
The singer acknowledges that they and the listener appear compatible.

You think my shoes are made of leather
The listener mistook the singer's shoes for high-quality leather.

But I'm a substitute for another guy
The singer reveals that they are a replacement or stand-in for someone else.

I look pretty tall but my heels are high
The artist uses footwear to heighten their perceived height.

The simple things you see are all complicated
The artist suggests that things may not be as they seem.

I look pretty young, but I'm just back-dated, yeah
The singer appears youthful but feels outdated.

Substitute your lies for fact
The singer urges the listener to stop lying and tell the truth.

I can see right through your plastic mac
The artist claims to see through a transparent raincoat worn by the listener.

I look all white, but my dad was black
The artist reveals a racial contrast between their appearance and their father's heritage.

My fine looking suit is really made out of sack
The artist's suit, though appearing fashionable, is actually quite cheap.

I was born with a plastic spoon in my mouth
The singer was born into poverty and had few advantages.

The north side of my town faced east, and the east was facing south
The artist's hometown orientation was confusing and illogical.

And now you dare to look me in the eye
The singer takes offense at the listener's audacity to meet their gaze.

Those crocodile tears are what you cry
The singer believes the listener's tears are insincere or exaggerated.

It's a genuine problem, you won't try
The situation is an actual issue, but the listener refuses to make an effort to resolve it.

To work it out at all you just pass it by, pass it by
The listener is indifferent to resolving the issue, preferring to ignore the problem.

Substitute me for him
The artist again offers themselves as a replacement or alternative for someone else.

Substitute my coke for gin
The singer mentions a substitution of drinks, perhaps as a metaphor for changing things up.

Substitute you for my mum
The singer humorously suggests that the listener could replace their mother's role.

At least I'll get my washing done
The artist sees the benefit of having the listener replace their mother as getting their laundry done.