Tennessee
Squid the Whale Lyrics
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that he's not the kind of person i am
all i could see, was a coward raising me
that is not the kind of person i am
or i need to be
its not like, i was any better off
but apparently i was
Shaking all his demons around
doesnt make him appreciate you now
But when it comes to being a man
thats when he hesitates and lets you down
I broke bread with the best of them, best of you.
I guess the best thing wasn't true
I hoped i prayed for the better
but my mother waited for you
through the stamps, moves and life at the bottom
the new you's and all the other problems
we, can't choose if love has its way
but i hated all of you.
Shaking all his demons around
doesnt make him appreciate you now
But when it comes to being a man
thats when he hesitates and lets you down
all on the table now (all on the table now)
i broke bread with the best of you
no one came close to
and i didn't know any better
carried away by someone who always knew
it started with words
and ends with a curse
and if my papa could see me now
Shaking all his demons around
doesnt make him appreciate you now
But when it comes to being a man
thats when he hesitates and lets you down
In "Tennessee," Squid the Whale addresses the complicated relationship he has with his father or someone who was meant to play a father-like role in his life. The song begins with Squid acknowledging that his father needs a world that believes he's not a bad person. However, Squid only views him as a coward, and he refuses to let that be the kind of person he is or needs to be. The second verse starts with Squid saying that he wasn't any better off, implying that his father's cowardice might have affected him in some way.
The chorus, "Shaking all his demons around doesn't make him appreciate you now, but when it comes to being a man, that's when he hesitates and lets you down," further delves into Squid's frustrations with his father. He recognizes that his father is struggling with his own demons, but he also acknowledges the way his father's actions have hurt him. In the bridge, Squid reflects on his past with his father, stating that he broke bread with the best of them, but it wasn't true. He hoped and prayed for the best, but his mother waited for someone who could never live up to his promises.
Overall, "Tennessee" is a song that explores the complexities of family relationships, particularly that of fathers and sons. Squid's lyrics, while somewhat cryptic, paint a poignant picture of his relationship with his father and the pain that he's experienced because of it.
Line by Line Meaning
all that he needs, is a world that believes
He requires people to have faith in him.
that he's not the kind of person i am
He wants people to believe that he is not like me.
all i could see, was a coward raising me
I only saw a weak person raising me.
that is not the kind of person i am
I am not that type of person.
or i need to be
I do not desire to be like that.
its not like, i was any better off
I was not in a better condition.
but apparently i was
But it appears otherwise.
Shaking all his demons around
He fights his inner demons.
doesnt make him appreciate you now
But it does not make him grateful to you currently.
But when it comes to being a man
But when it is about being responsible and mature,
thats when he hesitates and lets you down
That is when he hesitates and disappoints you.
I broke bread with the best of them, best of you.
I shared food with people I respected, including you.
I guess the best thing wasn't true
But the best thing probably was not genuine.
I hoped i prayed for the better
I hoped and prayed for improvement.
but my mother waited for you
But my mother had expectations from you.
through the stamps, moves and life at the bottom
Despite poverty and other difficulties,
the new you's and all the other problems
Even when you changed and there were other issues.
we, can't choose if love has its way
We cannot control love.
but i hated all of you.
But I despised all of you.
all on the table now (all on the table now)
Everything is out in the open now.
no one came close to
No one could compare to.
and i didn't know any better
And I was not aware of the truth.
carried away by someone who always knew
I was influenced by someone who was aware of it.
it started with words
It all began with conversations.
and ends with a curse
And ended up being a curse.
and if my papa could see me now
And if my father could see me now,
Shaking all his demons around
He fights his inner demons.
doesnt make him appreciate you now
But it does not make him grateful to you currently.
But when it comes to being a man
But when it is about being responsible and mature,
thats when he hesitates and lets you down
That is when he hesitates and disappoints you.
Contributed by Isaiah W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
TheHiddenTruth
Too bad the song cuts off, otherwise it's amazing!
Batsncats
I'm glad I stumbled across this band. You're amazing! I'm now hooked :3
darel askew
But this guy can really sing!!!!!!
giarcnac
This is my favorite song by them.
Rom
this is amazing!!
Taylor Sims
so glad i saw u guys at 3oh!3's concert! official in love with your songs:)
Tommy Lee D
Love there stuff
TheNegativeZero
Awesome Guys.
Nightmare Child
Seeing you tomorrow :D I can't wait
darel askew
Reminds me of Jonny Craig