Set It Off has experimented with a variety of genres, beginning with pop-punk within their early years and then adding R&B elements within their album Duality, in 2014. Carson has stated online that the band was influenced by Fall Out Boy, Panic! At The Disco, Green Day and Blink-182 in the earliest years of the band. Set It Off introduced more influences; including hip-hop and emo within 2019's Midnight. However, in 2023, the band have returned to their pop-punk roots, through singles including 'Punching Bag', 'Win Win' and 'Evil People'.
The band have released five studio albums including Cinematics (2012), Duality (2014), Upside Down (2016), Midnight (2019) and Elsewhere (2022). They have also appeared in 'Punk Goes' through various covers including 'This Christmas (I'll Burn It to the Ground)' and 'Problem'.
Plastic Promises
Set It Off Lyrics
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She said (she said), as I pack my things
But I already did (I did)
Four times, don't you remember?
"I won't blow it again" (again)
She said (she said), with her fingers crossed
But she forgot about the mirror behind her
I'm done with plastic promises
Please don't tell me that we're fine
I got too much on my mind
Isn't this too plain to see? Maybe!
Cause we've lost too much to gain
We were dancing in the rain
Tell me what am I to do with a double dose of you
A dose of you!
Her lips are the gun (the gun)
And her tongue (her tongue) are the bullets
She could save a life (a life)
But she took mine away instead (Oh she did)
We gave it our all (our all)
So don't call me a quitter, no!
And I've swear I've tried too many times before but
I'm done with plastic promises (Ha!)
Please don't tell me that we're fine
I got too much on my mind
Isn't this too plain to see? Maybe!
Cause we've lost too much to gain
We were dancing in the rain
Tell me what am I to do with a double dose of
With a double dose of you!
Don't try to defy or even make an attempt
My blinders are off and I am runnin' again from you
Am I okay? Am I okay? I know I'll be okay again
Are you ready?
So here we go, I know
You'd kill for everything to stay the same
In vain, we had to go our separate ways
When you proved to me that you would never change
I finally woke up and exclaimed
That I'm done with these plastic promises
Please don't tell me that we're fine (We're not!)
I got too much on my mind
Isn't this too plain to see? Maybe!
'Cause we've lost too much to gain
We were dancing in the rain
Tell me what am I to do with a double dose of
With a double dose of you!
Yeah!
Oh!
The song "Plastic Promises" by Set It Off is a reflection on a relationship that has come to an end due to broken promises. The lyrics reveal a sense of disappointment and frustration as the singer acknowledges that they have given their partner multiple chances before, but their promises turned out to be insincere and "plastic." The singer is packing their things to leave and although their partner pleads for them to stay and promises to change, the singer is done with the false, empty promises.
The chorus emphasizes the singer's feelings of being overwhelmed and unable to handle any more of the false assurances from their partner. They are tired of being told that everything is fine when it clearly isn't, and the repetition of the phrase "too much on my mind" highlights this feeling of being burdened. The verse that follows introduces a metaphorical description of the singer's partner as a weapon, where their lips are the gun and their words the bullets. The partner had the power to save the singer's life, but instead, they took it away.
The bridge marks a turning point in the song when the singer realizes that they need to break away from their partner and run from them. They've had enough and it's time to leave the relationship behind. The song ends with a statement that the singer has woken up and decided to move on from these "plastic promises."
Line by Line Meaning
Just give me a chance
She asked for a chance to make things right.
But I already did
He gave her four chances already.
I won't blow it again
She promised not to mess up again, but she was lying.
But she forgot about the mirror behind her
She didn't realize that she was the problem.
I'm done with plastic promises
He's tired of false promises and wants to move on.
Her lips are the gun
Her words can kill and hurt.
And her tongue are the bullets
Her words are the ammunition to hurt him.
We gave it our all
Both of them tried their best in the relationship.
So don't call me a quitter, no!
He doesn't want to be accused of quitting easily.
And I've swear I've tried too many times before but
He's tried multiple times before but it didn't work out.
Don't try to defy or even make an attempt
He doesn't want her to try to change his mind.
My blinders are off and I am runnin' again from you
He's finally seeing things clearly and trying to move on.
I finally woke up and exclaimed
He finally realized that he deserves better.
Please don't tell me that we're fine
He knows that their relationship is in trouble.
Isn't this too plain to see? Maybe!
He thinks the problem is obvious but she might not see it.
'Cause we've lost too much to gain
They've already lost too much to make this work.
We were dancing in the rain
They had happy moments but they're over.
Tell me what am I to do with a double dose of
He doesn't know what to do with the excess of her in his life.
Oh!
An expression of frustration and exhaustion.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind