Ruiner is a hardcore punk band from Baltimore, Maryland. They released two … Read Full Bio ↴Ruiner is a hardcore punk band from Baltimore, Maryland. They released two EPs (What Could Possibly Go Right and Dead Weight) and three LPs (I Heard These Dudes Are Assholes, Prepare To Be Let Down, and Hell Is Empty). The band broke up in 2010 but reunited at This Is Hardcore Fest in Philadelphia in 2016.

Part One
Ruiner Lyrics

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Is this the beginning?
I always look towards the end.

It starts as a pleasant drive and ends in a fiery car crash.

Hope isn't in question it's a question of how many times
You can repeat the same fucking feelings.
Before you go numb you always roll the dice.

We always try, try again.
It's our natural instinct or maybe it's just boredom
But no one ever thinks they can live being just one.
One time it will be the real thing,
Next time it will be the real thing,
Condition ourselves to think there is a real thing.

The excitement is shared as the feeling is mutual.
The attraction is real and not just for the flesh.
Simple excuses just to hear someone's voice
That feeling of sickness when you are too far to touch.
It's hopeless now, no turning back,
You're in over your head with no want for air.
You say the things you thought you'd never say again
And in the back of your mind you wish you never could.

This time around you won't fuck it up you won't get tongue tied

You won't trip over your feet you'll be attentive
You won't be selfish you learned your lesson you won't fuck it up

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Ruiner's song "Part One" reflect the turmoil of an individual seeking love and intimacy while grappling with the fear of failure and rejection. The first line "Is this the beginning? I always look towards the end" suggests the singer's suspicion of love due to past failures. The second line "It starts as a pleasant drive and ends in a fiery car crash" is a metaphor for the singer's romantic experiences, which begin positively but inevitably end in flames.

The refrain of the song "One time it will be the real thing, next time it will be the real thing" implies that the singer is continually optimistic, but at the same time feels trapped in an endless cycle of hope and disappointment. The lines "Condition ourselves to think there is a real thing" reflects our persistent faith in finding the perfect love that we condition ourselves to believe exists.

The song also explores the intense vulnerability that comes with loving someone, the longing for their touch and the excitement that ensues as the attraction becomes mutual. However, the final part of the song introduces a new approach that the singer intends to take in his next relationship. He expresses his desire to be more attentive, unselfish and not repeat past mistakes.

Line by Line Meaning

Is this the beginning?
Am I just starting to experience something new?

I always look towards the end.
I constantly anticipate the conclusion of this experience.

Hope isn't in question it's a question of how many times You can repeat the same fucking feelings.
I'm not unsure about having hope, but how many times can I go through the same emotions?

Before you go numb you always roll the dice.
Before you become emotionally desensitized, you take risks.

We always try, try again.
Our innate instinct is to always attempt things repeatedly.

It's our natural instinct or maybe it's just boredom But no one ever thinks they can live being just one.
Persevering is either our natural tendency or it's simply because we're bored. We always believe we cannot merely exist by ourselves.

One time it will be the real thing, Next time it will be the real thing, Condition ourselves to think there is a real thing.
We keep having the idea that the next time around will be the real deal because we are conditioned to believe this idea.

The excitement is shared as the feeling is mutual.
The thrill is equally felt as the attraction is mutual.

The attraction is real and not just for the flesh.
The strong feeling is genuine and not purely based on physical attraction.

Simple excuses just to hear someone's voice That feeling of sickness when you are too far to touch.
We use trivial reasons to speak to a person, and we feel uneasy when we are unable to reach them physically.

It's hopeless now, no turning back, You're in over your head with no want for air.
It's a lost cause now; there is no going back. You're struggling and suffocating, but you don't want relief.

You say the things you thought you'd never say again And in the back of your mind you wish you never could.
You express the things you never anticipated voicing again, and deep down, you wish you didn't have to.

This time around you won't fuck it up you won't get tongue tied You won't trip over your feet you'll be attentive You won't be selfish you learned your lesson you won't fuck it up
You will be better this time, you won't make mistakes, you'll be engaged, you won't act selfishly, you've learned from previous mistakes, you won't mess it up.

Contributed by Aubrey E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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