Salvatore Marrano – vocals (2009–present)
Tom Monda – electric guitar, fretless guitar, shamisen, sitar, vocals, synth, producer (2009–present)
Ben Karas – electric violin (2013–present)
Cody McCorry – bass, theremin, saw (2015–present)
Faye Fadem – drums (2017–present)
Sam Greenfield – saxophone (2017–present)
Joe Gullace – trumpet (2017–present)
Please visit https://www.facebook.com/ThankYouScientist
The Amateur Arsonist's Handbook
Thank You Scientist Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's too good to be true
You find the worst in the best things
For I′m a Pessimist
Contrive my tongue if you complicate it
I feel left out
Fate can tell you where to go
So take it nice and slow
Tell me, tell me where to go
But I can't find a reason, a reason yeah
Hell if I could understand
The losing man, with a winning hand
Didn′t you burn it down, then walk away?
Gun in hand
Didn′t you, didn't you?
Didn′t you, didn't you?
Satisfy with emotion, is broken
You aren′t justified without some evidence
You lost your faith in nothings
No more can you pretend
And pardon me, I'm on my way back to Earth
To search for solid ground
Fate can tell you where to go
But I can′t find a reason to be here
So take it nice and slow
Tell me, tell me where to go
But I can't find a reason, a reason yeah
Hell if I could understand
The losing man, with a winning hand
Didn't you burn it down, then walk away?
Gun in hand
Didn′t you, didn′t you?
Didn't you, didn′t you?
I'm hearing all your words with black and white meaning
I′m hearing what you say
I'm hearing all your words with black and white meaning
I′m hearing what you say
You said, ohhh
And you said I could take it or leave it
Gonna leave all this poison with you
And you said, And you said
Gonna leave all this poison with you
And you said I could take it or leave it
Gonna leave all this poison with you
Ohhh, ohhh
Ohhh
Hell if I could understand
The losing man, with a winning hand
Didn't you burn it down, then walk away?
Gun in hand
Didn't you, didn′t you?
Didn′t you, didn't you?
"The Amateur Arsonist's Handbook" by Thank You Scientist is a song that explores themes of cynicism, dissatisfaction, and the search for meaning. The opening lines convey a sense of frustration with the tendency to think negatively and find fault in even the best things. The singer, possibly a pessimist, feels left out as they see others complicating matters and overthinking.
The chorus expresses a struggle to find purpose or a reason to be present in the world. The mention of fate suggesting a direction but not providing a reason emphasizes the singer's confusion and lack of fulfillment. They ask for guidance but cannot find a reason or motivation. The line "The losing man, with a winning hand" suggests a paradoxical situation where one might have the means to succeed but still feels like a failure. The mention of burning things down and walking away with a gun raises questions about destructive actions and their consequences.
The second verse expresses a loss of faith and the inability to pretend anymore. The singer seeks solid ground and yearns for a return to reality. The repetition of the chorus reinforces the feeling of being lost and searching for a reason.
Overall, the lyrics of "The Amateur Arsonist's Handbook" reflect the singer's discontentment, questioning, and longing for understanding and purpose in a world that seems confusing and unsatisfying.
Line by Line Meaning
You're all so quick to think
You all jump to conclusions too fast
It's too good to be true
You believe that something good cannot be real
You find the worst in the best things
You focus on the negative aspects of good things
For I'm a Pessimist
Because I have a negative outlook on life
Contrive my tongue if you complicate it
I will manipulate my words if you make it more complicated
I feel left out
I feel excluded or left behind
Fate can tell you where to go
Destiny can guide you in the right direction
But I can't find a reason to be here
But I can't find a purpose or motivation to exist
So take it nice and slow
So approach things gradually and calmly
Tell me, tell me where to go
Give me guidance and direction
But I can't find a reason, a reason yeah
But I can't find a valid reason, a reason to continue
Hell if I could understand
Even if I could comprehend
The losing man, with a winning hand
The person who appears to be losing but has a strong advantage
Didn't you burn it down, then walk away?
Didn't you destroy it completely and then leave without consequence?
Gun in hand
Holding a weapon
Satisfy with emotion, is broken
Finding satisfaction through emotions is no longer possible
You aren't justified without some evidence
You can't claim something is true without proof
You lost your faith in nothings
You have lost trust in empty or meaningless things
No more can you pretend
You can no longer pretend or deceive yourself
And pardon me, I'm on my way back to Earth
And excuse me, I'm returning to reality
To search for solid ground
To look for stability and certainty
I'm hearing all your words with black and white meaning
I interpret everything you say in a simplistic and definitive manner
I'm hearing what you say
I am listening to your words
You said, ohhh
You uttered those words, ohhh
And you said I could take it or leave it
And you said I have the choice to accept it or reject it
Gonna leave all this poison with you
I will leave behind all this harmful influence with you
Ohhh
Ohhh
Writer(s): Salvatore Marrano, Cody Mccorry, Thomas Monda, Benjamin Karas
Contributed by Savannah J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
JCST 1069
Verse 1]
You're all so quick to think
It's too good to be true
You find the worst in the best things
Forever Pessimist
Don't drag me down with you
Complicated, I feel let down
[Pre-Chorus]
Fear can tell you where to go
But I can't find a reason to be here
So take it nice and slow
Tell me, tell me where to go
But I can't find a reason, a reason yeah
[Chorus]
Hell if I could understand
The losing man, with a winning hand
Didn't you burn it down, then walk away?
Gun in hand
Didn't you, didn't you?
Didn't you, didn't you?
[Verse 2]
Satisfied with notion, it's broken
You won't justify without some evidence
You lost your faith in all things
No more can you pretend
And pardon me, I'm on my way back to Earth
In search for solid ground
[Pre-Chorus]
Fear can tell you where to go
But I can't find a reason to be here
So take it nice and slow
Tell me, tell me where to go
But I can't find a reason, a reason yeah
[Chorus]
Hell if I could understand
The losing man, with a winning hand
Didn't you burn it down, then walk away?
Gun in hand
Didn't you, didn't you?
Didn't you, didn't you?
[Verse 3]
I'm hearing all your words with black and white meaning
I'm hearing what you say
I'm hearing all your words with black and white meaning
I'm hearing what you say
You said, ohhh
[Electric Violin Solo]
[Bridge]
And you said I could take it or leave it
Gonna leave all this poison with you
And you said, And you said
I'm gonna leave all this poison with you
And you said I could take it or leave it
I'm gonna leave all this poison with you
Ohhh, ohhh
Ohhh
[Chorus]
Hell if I, hell if I understand
The losing man, with a winning hand
Didn't you burn it down, then walk away?
Gun in hand
Didn't you, didn't you?
Didn't you, didn't...
[Outro]
Ohhhhhhhhhhh, ohhhhhhhhhh
Bobby Bradbury
I've never heard a violin sound like an electric guitar. That solo was fucking gorgeous
HitchHikr's Guide
SMASH
THAT
MOTHER
FUCKING
LIKE
BUTTON
Zöe Seth
This band is like Frank Zappa, Michael Jackson, Periphery, Coheed and Cambria, and The Mars Volta all collectively had a child together. Where has this been all my life?
Ricky Thompson
By Periphery, I think you meant Protest the Hero.
OmarRamosX
@Klutz MtG Nah, the sing of this guy is more nasal, clean and less strong.
Klutz MtG
@OmarRamosX Vocals are similar to Spencer.
Kevin Jones
You are beyond accurate.
OmarRamosX
@CrudeRow Periphery? Really?
Jonu
HOLY SHIT, I saw these guys open for Coheed about a year and a half, or more ago, and they are easily one of the greatest bands I have ever heard in my life. They literally baffle me.
BliboranBass
out of the many many bands i've seen, i saw them at a (free wtf) headlining show last night in dallas and it was the best performance i've ever seen by any band, i witnessed it in shock and awe, left with a huge smile on my face, and am still kind of glowing lol. really genuine guys too.