Back Porch
Scotty Don't Lyrics


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Deliberating in New Orleans
on what reality really means
If nobody cares, nobody stares, and then there's nothing to compare
Those ends can't justify the means
But in my gospel state of mind
I try to leave it all behind
Just hold my body til my soul starts burning old
But I can't help thinkin' 'bout throwing out all I been told

[Chorus]
I'm sittin' on the back porch burnin' down my torch
Lookin' all around, listen to the sound
So many people, but there's none of them around
Another day, another dollar made, another in the grave
Another freed, another made a slave
Well that's just me and what I see

Won't push my values in your head
I Won't run your life through 'til you're dead
All I ask is that much from you
And I'll tell you right now that ain't hard to do

[Chorus]
I'm sittin' on the back porch burnin' down my torch
Lookin' all around, listen to the sound
So many people, but there's none of them around
Another day, another dollar made, another in the grave
Another freed, another made a slave
Well that's just me and what I see
Well that's just me and what I see

[Chorus]
I'm sittin' on the back porch burnin' down my torch
Lookin' all around, listen to the sound
So many people, but there's none of them around
Another day, another dollar made, another in the grave
Another freed, another made a slave
Well that's just me and what I see





Well that's just me and what I see
Well that's just me and what I see

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "Back Porch" by Scotty Don't convey the ideas of personal reflection and introspection against a backdrop of a society where people seem to be preoccupied with the pursuit of material wealth and status. The artist seems to be questioning the validity of this pursuit and searching for a more meaningful existence. He mentions being in New Orleans, where he's contemplating the nature of reality, and the idea that there's nothing to compare if nobody cares or stares. This leads him to question whether the ends justify the means. However, he then switches to a more spiritual/philosophical perspective, talking about leaving everything behind and embracing a "gospel state of mind". He wants to hold his body until his soul starts "burning old", but he can't help thinking about throwing away everything he's been told.


In the chorus, the artist is sitting on his back porch, burning down his torch and contemplating the world around him. He observes that although there are so many people, none of them seem to be present, and everyone is too busy chasing their own goals. He talks about the cycle of life and death, with another day and dollar made and another person either freed or made a slave. He acknowledges that this is just his perspective and that what he sees might not be the same for someone else.


Overall, the song explores themes of disillusionment, self-discovery, and the search for meaning and purpose. It's a commentary on the modern world, where people are often disconnected from themselves and their surroundings, and caught up in a race for success and status at the expense of deeper values.


Line by Line Meaning

Deliberating in New Orleans
Reflecting on life in New Orleans


on what reality really means
Contemplating the true nature of reality


If nobody cares, nobody stares, and then there's nothing to compare
If no one cares or gives attention, there is nothing to measure against


Those ends can't justify the means
The outcome doesn't justify the action taken to get there


But in my gospel state of mind
In my spiritual mindset


I try to leave it all behind
Trying to let go of past experiences


Just hold my body til my soul starts burning old
Hold onto my physical being until my soul grows tired


But I can't help thinkin' 'bout throwing out all I been told
But I can't stop thinking about rejecting all that I have learned


I'm sittin' on the back porch burnin' down my torch
Sitting on the back porch smoking a cigarette


Lookin' all around, listen to the sound
Observing the environment and listening to the noises


So many people, but there's none of them around
People are present but not mentally or emotionally invested


Another day, another dollar made, another in the grave
Another day, another dollar earned, another person dead


Another freed, another made a slave
One person can be free while another is not


Won't push my values in your head
I won't impose my beliefs on you


I Won't run your life through 'til you're dead
I won't control your life to the point of exhaustion


All I ask is that much from you
All I ask is mutual respect


Well that's just me and what I see
That's simply how I perceive things


Well that's just me and what I see
That's simply how I perceive things


Well that's just me and what I see
That's simply how I perceive things




Contributed by Adalyn D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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