1. Rough Trade is… Read Full Bio ↴There are more than one artist named Rough Trade:
1. Rough Trade is a Canadian group, lead by singer Carole Pope and multi-instrumentalist Kevan Staples, which gained success in the 70s and 80s. Their music is filled with themes of catastropic power and dimestore novel smut, entertainingly delivered by Pope's powerful voice.
2. Rough Trade is a punk band from Ålesund, Norway. They released a 7" in 1980, and have been featured on compilations such as "Anarki & kaos" and "Bloodstains Across Norway".
3. Rough Trade is a spoken word artist from Australia that focuses on homoerotic content.
I Can't Take It
Rough Trade Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Been beatin' my head, against a brick wall
Been lyin', been lyin', been lyin'
In my own vomit on the bathroom floor
The night was punctuated,
Punctuated, punctuated
Almost kill for it, kill for it, kill for it
That's something I gotta quit
'Cause it ain't worth shit
You know that I can't take it no more
I said I can't take it no more
The lyrics in Rough Trade's "I Can't Take It" speak to the desperation and frustration that can come with addiction. The repetition of "beatin' my head against a brick wall" paints a vivid picture of the rock bottom feeling of being trapped in a cycle of self-destructive behavior. The line "Been lyin', been lyin', been lyin' in my own vomit on the bathroom floor" is gut-wrenching, conveying the sense of self-loathing and shame that can come with addiction.
The lyrics also touch on the idea of chasing a high, with lines like "Almost kill for it, kill for it, kill for it" and "That's something I gotta quit, 'cause it ain't worth shit." The realization that the temporary high isn't worth the cost is a common theme in addiction narratives.
The chorus of "You know that I can't take it no more, I said I can't take it no more" is a desperate cry for help and a plea for change. The repetition drives home the intensity of the emotion behind the lyrics.
Overall, "I Can't Take It" is a powerful and raw depiction of the struggle of addiction and the toll it can take on a person's mental and physical health.
Line by Line Meaning
Been beatin' my head, been beatin' my head
I've been constantly trying and failing at something.
Been beatin' my head, against a brick wall
I've been struggling to achieve something that seems impossible.
Been lyin', been lyin', been lyin'
I've been deceiving others and myself with lies.
In my own vomit on the bathroom floor
I've hit rock bottom and I'm disgusted with myself.
The night was punctuated,
The evening was marked by something significant.
Punctuated, punctuated
Repeatedly emphasized.
By my insistence
Because I refused to let go of something.
Almost kill for it, kill for it, kill for it
I was willing to do anything, even harm others, to achieve my goal.
That's something I gotta quit
I need to stop my destructive behavior.
'Cause it ain't worth shit
Because it's not worth the harm it causes in the end.
You know that I can't take it no more
I can't handle the situation anymore.
I said I can't take it no more
I've made the decision to give up and move on from the situation.
Contributed by Lucas V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.