Scott cites Matchbox 20 frontman Rob Thomas as his major influence. His first full-length album, So Much For the Nightlife, was released in the fall of 2006.
Stain
Scott Clifton Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I got a stain on me, you see,
Me with my clutch fist, gritted teeth
And I breathe smoke, I taste of gasoline
I don't need love, I don't have empathy
[Chorus:]
And you've heard of me, I'm a boy you don't need
So just for your own sake, I've had all I can take
And when I take it, I take it out on you
And oh, oh, oh oh, I've been around, driving down, and that ain't nothing new
Oh, oh oh oh, woah, woah, and if you're good I'll put a stain on you too
[Verse 2:]
Don't say everything is
I know you, I've kissed both sense of your lips
I can count your heartbeat, I can stop it
I will burn you down, if you won't learn
[Chorus]
[Bridge:]
And my minds like, I though I was going fine
'Til my? expense
A guest book, yeah
People on my? they stop they stare
I'm losing my cool
Try'na crash and burn
But how can I learn
I didn't know the concern
There could have been a
The G's the C's
People to play with
They could see what I mean
When they're swallowed by my heat
And there's a? smoking pain
Don't play no game, no love no stain
(No love no stain, no love no stain, no love no stain, no love no stain)
[Verse 3:]
Oh, oh, oh oh, I've been around, driving down and that ain't nothing new
Oh, oh oh oh, woah, woah, and if you're good I'll put a stain on you
Oh, oh, oh oh, I've been around, driving down and that ain't nothing new
Oh, oh oh oh, woah, woah, and if you're good I'll put a stain on you too
In Scott Clifton's song "Stain", the singer describes himself as someone with a dark and dangerous personality. He is "stained" with anger and aggression, as seen in the descriptions of his "clutch fist" and "gritted teeth." He compares himself to gasoline, indicating that he is a combustible force. The lines "I don't need love, I don't have empathy" suggest that he is closed off emotionally and cannot connect with others on a deep level.
The chorus of the song warns the listener to stay away from the singer. He has been "walked upon" by others and now walks over others in return. He has reached his breaking point and when he inevitably explodes, his anger will be directed towards the people around him. The bridge hints at a backstory for the singer, alluding to past mistakes or regrets that he did not take seriously. The repeated line "no love, no stain" suggests that he associates love with weakness and is unwilling to change his ways.
The overall theme of the song is a warning about toxic masculinity and the dangers of not addressing one's emotional issues. The singer is trapped in a cycle of anger and aggression, lashing out at others and refusing to seek help. The lyrics are a cautionary tale about the consequences of this behavior, both for the person who exhibits it and those around them.
Line by Line Meaning
I got a stain on me, you see,
I have imperfections and shortcomings that are noticeable to others
Me with my clutch fist, gritted teeth
I am angry and have a tendency to clench my fists and grit my teeth
And I breathe smoke, I taste of gasoline
My destructive behavior and attitude are toxic and polluting
I don't need love, I don't have empathy
I am incapable of feeling love or empathy for others
And you’ve heard of me, I'm a boy you don't need
My reputation precedes me and I am not a positive influence in people's lives
I have been walked upon and now walk on you
I have been mistreated in the past and now I mistreat others
So just for your own sake, I've had all I can take
I am warning you to stay away for your own well-being, as I am close to my breaking point
And when I take it, I take it out on you
I project my issues and negative emotions onto others
Don't say everything is
Don't try to brush over or ignore the issues at hand
I know you, I've kissed both sense of your lips
I am familiar with your body and have had intimate experiences with you
I can count your heartbeat, I can stop it
I have the power to control and manipulate you, even to the point of causing you harm
I will burn you down, if you won't learn
If you do not comply with my desires and expectations, I will destroy you
And my mind's like, I thought I was going fine
My mental state is deteriorating despite my attempts to keep it together
'Til my expense
Until I am forced to pay the price for my destructive behavior
A guest book, yeah
My life is like an open book for all to see and judge
People on my? they stop they stare
People pause and take notice of me because of my erratic, unstable behavior
I'm losing my cool
I am struggling to keep my emotions in check and maintain any sense of self-control
Try'na crash and burn
I am intentionally engaging in self-destructive behavior
But how can I learn
I am struggling to understand why my actions are harmful and how to change
I didn't know the concern
I was unaware of the negative impact my behavior was having on others
There could have been a
I could have had a different, more positive life
The G's the C's
The gangs and criminals
People to play with
Individuals who engage in destructive behavior and encourage me to do the same
They could see what I mean
They understand and relate to my destructive impulses and behavior
When they're swallowed by my heat
When they become consumed by the negative influence I have on them
And there's a? smoking pain
There is a lingering pain and suffering caused by my actions
Don't play no game, no love no stain
Don't engage with me or try to love or help me, as I will only bring pain and destruction
Oh, oh, oh oh, I've been around, driving down and that ain't nothing new
I have been living recklessly for a long time and this is nothing new or surprising
Oh, oh oh oh, woah, woah, and if you're good I'll put a stain on you
If you engage with me or allow me into your life, I will negatively impact you and leave a lasting mark
And if you're good I'll put a stain on you too
Even if you are a good person, I will still negatively impact and hurt you
Contributed by Natalie M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.