Not a Friend
Sebadoh Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

I'm not a good friend, I'm not a friend at all
It's never resolved, I'm nervous when you call
My words are limp, and my mind is dry
I try to be polite, but I feel like I'm stuck for life
I follow my heart, it leads me far from you
No matter how close we are, I'm far, far away
I have too much now to fill my day today
I'm not a good friend, I'm not a friend at all
I don't need obligations to our crippled conversations
I'd never tell you, it's something you should know
I'm not a friend at all, oh, please let me go
Somehow I don't trust you
I don't trust myself
And I may never forgive you
'cause I can't forgive myself
Somehow I don't trust you
I don't trust myself
And I may never forgive you
'cause I can't forgive myself
Don't break my stride
Don't break my stride




Don't break my stride
Don't break my stride

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Sebadoh's song Not a Friend convey a sense of distance and disconnect in a friendship. The singer acknowledges that they are not a good friend and that they struggle to communicate effectively with the other person. They feel nervous when the other person calls and are unable to find the right words to express themselves. Despite their attempts to be polite, they feel stuck and distant from the other person. The singer also admits to not trusting the other person or themselves, and says they may never forgive them because they can't forgive themselves.


The theme of distance and disconnection is further emphasized through the repetition of the line "don't break my stride." This suggests that the singer wants to maintain a sense of distance between themselves and the other person, and doesn't want anything to disrupt that. The use of the word "stride" also suggests a sense of momentum or forward motion, as if the singer is moving away from the other person.


Overall, the lyrics to Not a Friend reflect the complex emotions and dynamics that can exist in a friendship. The singer wants to maintain some distance but also feels guilty for not being a good friend, and struggles to trust themselves and the other person.


Line by Line Meaning

I'm not a good friend, I'm not a friend at all
I cannot fulfill the role of a friend to you.


It's never resolved, I'm nervous when you call
Our interactions are never satisfying, and I feel anxious when you contact me.


My words are limp, and my mind is dry
I struggle to express myself and am emotionally drained.


I try to be polite, but I feel like I'm stuck for life
I attempt to show courtesy, but I feel trapped in an uncomfortable situation.


I follow my heart, it leads me far from you
My instincts guide me away from you.


No matter how close we are, I'm far, far away
Despite our proximity, I feel distant from you.


I have too much now to fill my day today
My daily responsibilities and tasks leave me with no time or energy for maintaining our relationship.


I don't need obligations to our crippled conversations
I don't want to feel obligated to continue our unproductive and uncomfortable conversations.


I'd never tell you, it's something you should know
I won't directly say it, but you should understand that I can't be a friend.


I'm not a friend at all, oh, please let me go
I cannot continue pretending to be your friend, so I'm asking you to release me from that expectation.


Somehow I don't trust you
I have a lingering suspicion or doubt about you.


I don't trust myself
I lack confidence in my own judgement and decisions.


And I may never forgive you
It's possible that I will hold a grudge against you.


'cause I can't forgive myself
The root of my difficulty in forgiving you is that I struggle with self-forgiveness.


Don't break my stride
Please don't disrupt my current state or momentum.


Don't break my stride
Please don't disrupt my current state or momentum.


Don't break my stride
Please don't disrupt my current state or momentum.


Don't break my stride
Please don't disrupt my current state or momentum.




Lyrics © DOMINO PUBLISHING COMPANY
Written by: LOUIS KNOX BARLOW

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

GoHawksGo

I'm not a good friend, I'm not a friend at all
It's never resolved, I'm nervous when you call
My words are limp, and my mind is dry
I try to be polite, but I feel like I'm stuck for life
I follow my heart, it leads me far from you
No matter how close we are, I'm far, far away
I have too much now to fill my day today
I'm not a good friend, I'm not a friend at all
I don't need obligations to our crippled conversations
I'd never tell you, it's something you should know
I'm not a friend at all, oh, please let me go
Somehow I don't trust you
I don't trust myself
And I may never forgive you
''cause I can't forgive myself
Somehow I don't trust you
I don't trust myself
And I may never forgive you
''cause I can't forgive myself
Don't break my stride
Don't break my stride
Don't break my stride
Don't break my stride



All comments from YouTube:

grossboy517

got the 100th like! got this album today as my first sebadoh album because i love dinosaur jr. and some Lou's work on a few albums, and i am digging it BiG time. its a damn good mix of songs. this ones so nice

NarwhalOnerzzz

lou says it PERFECTLY. <3

GoHawksGo

I'm not a good friend, I'm not a friend at all
It's never resolved, I'm nervous when you call
My words are limp, and my mind is dry
I try to be polite, but I feel like I'm stuck for life
I follow my heart, it leads me far from you
No matter how close we are, I'm far, far away
I have too much now to fill my day today
I'm not a good friend, I'm not a friend at all
I don't need obligations to our crippled conversations
I'd never tell you, it's something you should know
I'm not a friend at all, oh, please let me go
Somehow I don't trust you
I don't trust myself
And I may never forgive you
''cause I can't forgive myself
Somehow I don't trust you
I don't trust myself
And I may never forgive you
''cause I can't forgive myself
Don't break my stride
Don't break my stride
Don't break my stride
Don't break my stride

jimzy29

Lou 💜

Levy Moyer

This song makes me miss women I haven’t even talked to yet.

Hank Clock

Good song. In some way reminds me of 'The Void' by the Raincoats.

Rochelle Datinguinoo

oldie but a goodie!

mat11trick

Good song.

Ryex 76

yeah..greatest song

Night Goat

to me this song is about the kind of relationship you can have with an ex-lover. you want to hold on to what you had in the past but the idea that you're actually 'friends' is a bit of a farce.

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