The Briggs,started off and were known as the band, I Decline. They released… Read Full Bio ↴The Briggs,started off and were known as the band, I Decline. They released an album called "Spy On Your Neighbors", but due to legal action by another band they had to change the band name. Thus was born, The Briggs, who are a punk rock band based out of Los Angeles, California. Fronted by brothers Joey and Jason LaRocca, this band draws from a variety of influences, but most noteably from the likes of UK artists such as The Clash, Cock Sparrer, Stiff Little Fingers, and Billy Bragg. The Briggs have spent the past few years on the heels of tours that have paired up with more recognizable faces in their genre, including several outings with Irish-punk band Flogging Molly, punk rockers Street Dogs, and hardcore/melodic punk legends Bad Religion. They have also participated in three of the enormously popular summer tour, Warped Tour. The band currently has three full lengths out, as well as an EP that was released in 2004.

The Briggs also gained some popularity when they were recommended to the professional hockey/National Hockey League team, the Los Angeles Kings. Their song "This is LA" is played after every home win.

Insane
The Briggs Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

You certainly have a way with words
I'm impressed with your fiction
Journalistic masturbation

Change around the words I say
They had no meaning anyway
You're judging something you can't change

Tell everyone, tell everyone that I'm insane
Just go on, just go on
And make me out to be what you want me to be

I appreciate all your help
I didn't know those things about myself
Thank you for showing me a living hell

So sick of all you've compromised
You make no difference to me otherwise
Try telling the truth for a change

You've been known to swallow

The information you borrow
Try thinking for yourself for a change

Overall Meaning

The Briggs's song "Insane" appears to be a scathing critique of those who attempt to manipulate or twist one's words and actions to fit their own agenda. The opening lines, "You certainly have a way with words, I'm impressed with your fiction, Journalistic masturbation" seems to suggest that the person in question is adept at spinning stories and ideas to suit their own needs, regardless of whether or not they are based in truth or fact.

The latter half of the first verse, "Change around the words I say, They had no meaning anyway, You're judging something you can't change" seems to imply that the person is twisting the singer's words to fit their own narrative, despite the fact that the words are ultimately meaningless. The chorus, "Tell everyone, tell everyone that I'm insane, Just go on, just go on, And make me out to be what you want me to be" similarly highlights the singer's frustration at being misrepresented or misunderstood by those around them.

The second verse, "I appreciate all your help, I didn't know those things about myself, Thank you for showing me a living hell" suggests that the singer has perhaps been pushed to the brink by the person in question, and is now feeling trapped or victimized as a result. The final lines, "You've been known to swallow, The information you borrow, Try thinking for yourself for a change" seems to be a call to action for those who may have been influenced by the manipulative person, to think critically and independently and to not blindly accept the ideas and opinions of others.

Overall, "Insane" appears to be a powerful statement against those who seek to control and shape the narrative around us, whether through the media, personal relationships, or other means.

Line by Line Meaning

You certainly have a way with words
I acknowledge your talent in language and expression.

I'm impressed with your fiction
Your fictional stories and tales resonate with me and captivate my attention.

Journalistic masturbation
Your writing is self-indulgent and lacks originality. It serves no purpose other than to please yourself.

Change around the words I say
Misrepresenting my words and ideas is something you do without hesitation.

They had no meaning anyway
You believe my words to be meaningless and disregard them as such.

You're judging something you can't change
You harshly criticize and judge me without the ability to change who I am.

Tell everyone, tell everyone that I'm insane
You spread false rumors and lies about me, trying to portray me as insane.

Just go on, just go on
You persist and continue with your deceitful behavior.

And make me out to be what you want me to be
You manipulate my image and reputation to fit your own desires and agenda.

I appreciate all your help
I recognize your involvement in my life and the feelings of gratitude I have towards it.

I didn't know those things about myself
Your actions have led me to a realization of some unknown aspects of my own character.

Thank you for showing me a living hell
Your actions have caused me immense suffering and pain.

So sick of all you've compromised
I am tired of your manipulative and insincere behavior.

You make no difference to me otherwise
Your existence and presence in my life do not change or affect me in any meaningful way.

Try telling the truth for a change
I implore you to start speaking honestly and truthfully.

You've been known to swallow
Your tendency to believe and accept information without questioning its validity.

The information you borrow
You take information from questionable sources and pass it off as your own.

Try thinking for yourself for a change
I encourage you to start using critical thinking and forming your own thoughts and opinions.

Writer(s): Christopher Arredondo, Jason la Rocca, Joseph la Rocca Copyright: Burrittway Music, Joey La Rocca Music, Jason La Rocca Music

Contributed by Joseph D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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