Settle Up
Within the alternative world, Seven Mary Three have often been compared to … Read Full Bio ↴Within the alternative world, Seven Mary Three have often been compared to the mainstream-sounding, garage/arena rock of post-Ten Pearl Jam, but the group insists that their refusal to alienate themselves from the rest of the world makes them different. Instead, Seven Mary Three offer songs concerning self-discovery and true outsiders isolated from society. Based in Virginia (where the bandmates attended the College of William and Mary), Seven Mary Three signed to the Mammoth label after releasing a self-produced album, Churn, in 1994. The album -- particularly its gritty lead single, "Cumbersome" -- generated a healthy buzz in Florida, and radio stations in Orlando began devoting significant airtime to the band. Seven Mary Three relocated to the Orlando area and re-recorded their old songs, which were packaged alongside two new cuts to round out the band's proper debut, 1995's American Standard. With "Cumbersome" enjoying national success, the album went platinum and won the group a contract with Atlantic Records. Rock Crown followed in 1997, and a year later Seven Mary Three returned with their third LP, Orange Ave. Neither record enjoyed as much recognition as American Standard, but the band continued to release albums into the following decade, issuing The Economy of Sound in 2001 and Dis/Location three years later. Seven Mary Three signed with New York's Icon Records in late 2007, and the following year saw the release of their sixth effort, DAY&NIGHTDRIVING. Steve Huey, All Music Guide

Settle Up
Seven Mary Three Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

I'm a false start on a jukebox, a broken heart after last call
It's lights up, I'm locked in, and now its time to settle up

No slow emotion anymore
I know the secret of this town
Faster faster you're to the floor
It sets you up just to knock you down
Tomorrow starts when I decide to settle up with everything I hide
Things I want, the things I miss, a neon sign I can't resist

I'm drawing stick figures on a napkin of you and me
They're not your friends but they'll be around
To raise a glass and watch you drown

No slow emotion any more
I know the secret of this town
Where every kid's in love with death
The boredom brags a familiar sound

No slow emotion anymore
I know the secret of this town




Faster faster you're ignored
Set them up just to knock them down

Overall Meaning

In the song "Settle Up" by Seven Mary Three, the singer paints a vivid picture of a person who feels like a false start on a jukebox, broken-hearted after last call. The singer realizes that they know the secrets of the town and its inhabitants, and how they are all in love with death. The fast-paced, frenetic energy of the town sets everyone up just to knock them down, leaving them feeling lost and helpless. The singer also acknowledges that they have things to settle up with - things they have hidden or missed out on, like a neon sign they can't resist or the fear of being drowned out by others.


The lyrics suggest a sense of disillusionment with the town and the people in it. The singer sees through the facade and can't help feeling like they are part of the problem too. The stick figures on the napkin could represent the singer's attempt to hold on to a fleeting memory or relationship, knowing that it won't last or be enough to save them. The fast rhythm and repetitive chorus reflect the urgency and desperation the singer feels to settle up and move on from the town and its stagnant ways.


Line by Line Meaning

I'm a false start on a jukebox, a broken heart after last call
I'm like a malfunction on a jukebox, a heartbroken person once the bar closes


It's lights up, I'm locked in, and now its time to settle up
The bar's closing, I'm not leaving yet, I need to pay my bill and confront my problems


No slow emotion anymore
I'm not feeling slow anymore


I know the secret of this town
I understand the hidden problems of this place


Faster faster you're to the floor
You're moving quickly to the ground


It sets you up just to knock you down
This place will lift you up and then bring you down


Tomorrow starts when I decide to settle up with everything I hide
My future begins when I confront and resolve all of my hidden issues and secrets


Things I want, the things I miss, a neon sign I can't resist
I feel attracted to certain things and places that remind me of what I desire and miss


I'm drawing stick figures on a napkin of you and me
I'm imagining and visualizing what our relationship could have been like


They're not your friends but they'll be around
Those people are not really your friends, but they'll be present in your life anyway


To raise a glass and watch you drown
They'll celebrate your downfall and failure


Where every kid's in love with death
This place is full of young people who are fascinated and obsessed with death and danger


The boredom brags a familiar sound
The feeling of being bored and unchallenged is common here


Faster faster you're ignored
You're being neglected and overlooked more and more quickly


Set them up just to knock them down
People are being exploited and manipulated for someone else's gain, only to be tossed aside afterward




Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

snowflake3114

Love this song, keep it going guys!

Derek Dumas

what happend to the actual song
?