Although Rooney had flirted with enlisting Ric Ocasek to produce, they eventually opted to rehire Keith Forsey, the producer responsible for the the strong batch of demos that had gotten them signed in the first place. Rooney's sunny, self-titled debut arrived in 2003 and its sales spiked considerably the following year when the band appeared on Fox's popular teen drama The O.C. (the first in a long line of bands to do so). Later that year, the concert DVD Spit and Sweat was released, highlighting the group's transformation from teenage musicians into a road-seasoned outfit. Rooney began recording their follow-up later that year with producer Tony Hoffer, but the album was eventually scrapped despite several songs being posted on the band's MySpace page. A second attempt to record their sophomore album was made in fall 2005, this time with Howard Benson in the producer's seat. Although it was slated for a 2006 release, this version too was scrapped as friction between the band and its label increased.
Following a 2006 tour with Kelly Clarkson, Rooney returned to the studio with producer John Fields for a third -- and successful -- attempt at recording their second album. The slightly darker, but no less catchy Calling the World was released in summer 2007 and debuted on the Billboard charts at number 42. By this point, though, the band's relationship with Geffen had suffered too much damage and Rooney eventually left the label's roster in 2009. That same year, the band celebrated their independent status by self-releasing an EP, Wild One, and launching a brief tour. They didn't remain independent for long, though, eventually partnering with Warner Bros. for the release of their third full-length album, the self-produced Eureka, in June 2010. Although bassist Matt Winter played on the record, he left the band's lineup several months before its release, with Brandon Schwartzel climbing aboard in his place. By the end of 2011, support for the record had mostly ceased and Rooney essentially entered into a lengthy hiatus. Schwartzman remained busy with a number of projects, including two solo records and a pair of film scores. Following years of silence regarding his band's fate, Schwartzman revealed in early 2016 that he had completed a new Rooney album entirely on his own. Released in May 2016, Washed Away was the fourth LP under the Rooney banner, and was supported on the road by a completely retooled lineup. In June 2017, the band issued the single "Second Chances" in anticipation of the release of the El Cortez EP, which arrived in July of that year.
Paralyzed
Rooney Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I can't feel my knees or my soles
I don't know why, maybe you do
I don't know why
Oh, oh, oh, oh
You got me
Paralyzed
You got me
Paralyzed
I can't feel my thighs or my hips
I can't feel my gut or coccyx
I don't know yet; I'm not for sure
I don't know why; go on, baby
Oh, oh, oh, oh
You got me
Paralyzed
Oh, oh, oh, oh
You got me
Paralyzed
Oh, you got me
Paralyzed
All I could feel is my heart, and it's wasting its time
Beating for nothing 'cause I'm already gone
And you got me paralyzed
[Bridge:]
I can't feel my
(I can't feel my lips)
I would but I can't feel my
Tongue
Oh, oh, oh, oh
You got me
Paralyzed
Oh, oh, oh, oh
You got me
Paralyzed
Oh, you got me
Paralyzed
Paralyzed
Paralyzed
Paralyzed
Paralyzed, yeah
The lyrics for Rooney’s song “Paralyzed” appear to be written from the perspective of someone in a state of shock, physically and emotionally. The singer describes not being able to feel their shins, toes, knees, soles, thighs, hips, gut or coccyx, but only being able to feel their heart beating with futility. The bridge of the song features the singer stating they can’t even feel their lips or tongue to speak. The chorus repeats “You got me paralyzed” throughout the song, placing emphasis on the effect the unnamed person has on the singer’s physical and emotional state.
The lyrics are likely a metaphor for the power someone else can have over an individual, leaving them feeling numb and powerless. The singer is struggling to understand why they are in this state and is relying on the unnamed person to provide answers. The feeling of paralysis is a common symptom in individuals who suffer from shock or trauma of any kind.
Overall, the song expresses a feeling of helplessness as the singer tries to navigate the impact of the unnamed person’s influence on their life. Through the lyrics, we get a glimpse into the singer’s struggle to come to terms with their current situation while seeking reassurance and understanding from the person who has caused the paralysis.
Line by Line Meaning
I can't feel my shins or my toes
The singer has lost feeling in their lower extremities.
I can't feel my knees or my soles
The singer has lost feeling in their feet, and they seem to be unsure why.
I don't know why, maybe you do
The singer is uncertain why they've lost sensation in their legs, but they are asking the person they're singing to if they know why it's happening.
I can't feel my thighs or my hips
The sensation loss is progressing, as the artist's upper legs are also not responding.
I can't feel my gut or coccyx
The artist has lost their sense of physical awareness in their midsection.
I don't know yet; I'm not for sure
The singer still doesn't know the cause of their paralysis.
I don't know why; go on, baby
The singer is asking the person they're singing to continue with whatever they were doing, despite the singer's paralysis.
All I could feel is my heart, and it's wasting its time
The artist is emphasizing the importance of their emotions to them, even as they lose the ability to feel anything physically.
Beating for nothing 'cause I'm already gone
The artist seems to feel like they're already dead, despite their physical heart still functioning.
And you got me paralyzed
The person the artist is singing to seems to be the cause of their paralysis.
I can't feel my
The singer is going through each part of their body that they are no longer able to feel.
(I can't feel my lips)
The artist has even lost the feeling in their lips.
Tongue
The last body part that the singer mentions losing sensation in.
Paralyzed
The singer repeats this word several times to emphasize the severity of their condition.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ROBERT SCHWARTZMAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind