Diary
Shrug Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

How do you do? I am a lost boy
I was sent for you to enjoy
My brain is tasty 'cause I like to read
My body's honey fed and set to bleed
Show no mercy
I don't need it

How do you do? This is the worst-case scenario
This is the last place you wanna go
Don't wanna lose face
My charter member of the rat race
Show no mercy
Not yet, anyway

I don't want to show up in your poetry
Your dirty mind or dirtier dreams
I can see where this is heading
And I suspect that all you really want from me
Is kindling for your diary

I was alive in the '70s
Grew up with muscrat love and baby tees
Star Wars was cool but damnit won't you please
Save me from my disco miseries?
You can't make me
Shake nothing, no, no, no, no

I don't want to show up in your poetry
Your dirty mind or dirtier dreams
I can see where this is heading
And I suspect that all you really want from me
Is kindling for your diary

What you, were you, when you, why you?
Won't you let me slide right by you?
What you, were you, when you, why you?
Why won't you let me slide right by you?
What you, were you, when you, why you?
Why won't you let me slide right by you?
What you, were you, when you, weren't you?
Why won't you let me slide right by you?
Won't you let me slide right by you?
Slide right by you, hey hey hey

I don't want to show up in your poetry
Your dirty mind or dirtier dreams
I can see where this is heading




And I suspect that all you really want from me
Is kindling for your diary

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "Diary" by Shrug can be interpreted as a cautionary tale of a lost boy who is seeking the company of someone who he believes will appreciate him. He is both vulnerable and intelligent, as he wears his intellect on his sleeve, stating that his "brain is tasty 'cause [he] likes to read". However, he is also aware of his potential objectification, explaining that he doesn't want to "show up in [the person's] poetry, [their] dirty mind or dirtier dreams", but suspects that they only want him as "kindling for [their] diary".


The chorus is a repetition of this sentiment, emphasizing his reluctance to become an object of someone else's writing or imagination. The line "Show no mercy" could indicate this sense of apprehension, as he wants to remain in control of his own narrative and not be exploited or used by someone else. The lost boy seems to be grappling with his own sense of identity and the pressures of society, as he calls himself a "charter member of the rat race" and expresses his disdain for the disco era. Ultimately, the song seems to be a reflection on the complexities of human relationships and the struggle to stay true to oneself in a world that often objectifies and commodifies individuals.


Line by Line Meaning

How do you do? I am a lost boy
Introducing himself as a lost boy who is uncertain about what to do or where to go.


I was sent for you to enjoy
Implying that the singer's sole purpose is to serve and provide pleasure to the listener.


My brain is tasty 'cause I like to read
Indicating that the singer prides himself on his intelligence and finds joy in learning.


My body's honey fed and set to bleed
Describing the artist's physical appearance in a metaphorical manner and suggesting that he is seductive and ready for sexual encounters.


Show no mercy
Emphasizing that the artist is eager to please and fulfill the listener's desires without hesitation or resistance.


I don't need it
Reinforcing the idea that the singer is willing to do whatever it takes to please the listener, regardless of the toll it takes on him.


How do you do? This is the worst-case scenario
Acknowledging that the current situation is not ideal and may lead to negative outcomes for both the singer and the listener.


This is the last place you wanna go
Suggesting that the listener may regret their decision to engage in the current situation with the artist.


Don't wanna lose face
Implying that the artist is concerned about how the listener perceives him and does not want to appear weak or vulnerable.


My charter member of the rat race
Referring to himself as a member of a competitive society where people strive for success at any cost.


Not yet, anyway
Suggesting that the singer may change his attitude towards the situation in the future, but not at this time.


I don't want to show up in your poetry
Expressing the artist's desire to maintain a private and secretive relationship with the listener, free from any public attention or scrutiny.


Your dirty mind or dirtier dreams
Implying that the listener may have impure or inappropriate thoughts regarding the singer, which he does not want to be associated with.


I can see where this is heading
Realizing that the current situation may lead to negative outcomes for both the singer and the listener.


And I suspect that all you really want from me
Believing that the listener is only interested in using the singer as a source of inspiration for their creative endeavors.


Is kindling for your diary
Implying that the listener may use the artist's experiences as material for their writing or other artistic pursuits.


I was alive in the '70s
Revealing that the artist has lived through a specific period in history and has a unique perspective on it.


Grew up with muscrat love and baby tees
Referencing popular cultural trends of the time, suggesting that the singer has a sense of nostalgia for that era.


Star Wars was cool but damnit won't you please
Making reference to a well-known film franchise while also expressing frustration or annoyance towards the listener.


Save me from my disco miseries?
Asking the listener for help or salvation from the negative feelings or experiences associated with a specific genre of music.


You can't make me
Asserting the artist's independence and unwillingness to conform to the listener's expectations or desires.


Shake nothing, no, no, no, no
Emphasizing that the artist will not succumb to the listener's requests or demands, regardless of how persistent they may be.


What you, were you, when you, why you?
Asking a series of rhetorical questions that do not require an answer but emphasize the singer's confusion or frustration with the situation.


Won't you let me slide right by you?
Asking the listener to not interfere with the artist and allow him to proceed without obstruction.


Slide right by you, hey hey hey
Repeating the request from the previous line while using a catchy and repetitive phrase to evoke a sense of rhythm and urgency.




Contributed by Adeline Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found

More Versions