Bob
The Dodos Lyrics


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I've got a lot to prove, I mean to tell you
I've played the part of cool, that's what I sell you

I listen good, I listen well
You're old and you have much to tell
So come out of your quiet spell

I've heard her scream, I know she yells
I've seen it too, I know it well
So while she's gone I'll entertain you

There's not a lot that I could write about you
Your name is Bob, you smoke a pipe
That's what it amounts to

But we're the same
We all want peace
We're victims of the same disease
You deal with her, I'll deal with these

You sit and stare off into space
You've got much more to think than say
I know you won't
But you want to

You spend your time, you spend my life
Stuck in your room
I take it hard because I tried
To get you out to
To have a stroll, to have a talk
About your world, about the laws
That keep you stuck, that keep you locked

I know it's hard for you to change
Before we part our separate ways




You need to know
I understand you

Overall Meaning

The song "Bob" by The Dodos speaks of two people coming together and sharing their stories. The singer starts off by acknowledging that they have a lot to prove, admitting that they've played the part of cool, but now they mean to tell the other person about themselves. The singer shows that they are a good listener, acknowledging that the other person is old and has much to tell. They invite the other person to come out of their quiet spell and share with them.


The singer then talks about a woman who screams and yells, and how they will entertain the other person while she is gone. The song then moves on to Bob, a man who smokes a pipe and stares off into space. The singer acknowledges that there's not a lot that they can write about Bob, but they are still the same. They all want peace and are victims of the same disease. The singer wants to have a conversation with Bob about his world and the laws that keep him stuck and locked in his room. Despite the difficulties in changing, the singer wants Bob to know that they understand him.


Line by Line Meaning

I've got a lot to prove, I mean to tell you
I feel like I have something to prove, and I want to make sure you understand that


I've played the part of cool, that's what I sell you
I've tried to act cool and confident around you, but that's just a façade


I listen good, I listen well
I'm a good listener


You're old and you have much to tell
You're older and have a lot of life experience and wisdom to share


So come out of your quiet spell
I want you to open up and share your thoughts with me


I've heard her scream, I know she yells
I've heard someone else scream and yell before and I can relate to that experience


I've seen it too, I know it well
I've witnessed that kind of behavior before and understand what it's like


So while she's gone I'll entertain you
While the other person is away, I'll try to keep you engaged and entertained


There's not a lot that I could write about you
I don't know much about you, so I can't write much


Your name is Bob, you smoke a pipe
All I know about you is your name is Bob and you smoke a pipe


That's what it amounts to
That's all there is to say about you based on what I know


But we're the same
Despite our differences, we're fundamentally the same as people


We all want peace
We all want a sense of calm and tranquility in our lives


We're victims of the same disease
We all suffer from the same afflictions and struggles


You deal with her, I'll deal with these
You can handle your own problems, and I'll handle mine


You sit and stare off into space
You often seem lost in thought and distant


You've got much more to think than say
You're a thoughtful person who doesn't always vocalize your thoughts


I know you won't
I understand that you won't change your ways


But you want to
But I know deep down, you want to try and make a change


You spend your time, you spend my life
You're wasting your time, and by extension, my time as well


Stuck in your room
You're confined to your own space and not venturing out much


I take it hard because I tried
I feel disappointed because I made an effort to help you and it didn't work


To get you out to
I tried to get you to come out and experience new things


To have a stroll, to have a talk
I wanted us to spend time walking and chatting


About your world, about the laws
I wanted to learn more about your life and the rules and norms you live by


That keep you stuck, that keep you locked
I wanted to understand the things that are limiting you and holding you back


I know it's hard for you to change
I understand that change can be difficult for you


Before we part our separate ways
Before we go our separate ways


You need to know
It's important for you to understand


I understand you
That I empathize and relate to your struggles




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS

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