Is That All You've Got for Me
The Donnas Lyrics


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Oh you've got lights they burn out for you
And you've got eyes, cocaine
white and blue
All you know is wine and good friends
Cos luck like yours, it never ends

Or did you think it'd last forever?
Is that it, is that all you got for me?
Justa copy of a copy
I won't let you have it for free free free

A pick me up and then you're off again
The crowd's there to see if you'll sink or swim
They laugh and cheer
when you crash and burn
But they'll be back for your big return
(they'll never learn)

Watch the smoke fade,
you finally got your space
Wander the streets, but
no one knows your face




Your senior slump, it was a flop
So give it up down to the top

Overall Meaning

In this song, The Donnas are calling out a person who seems to have it all – lights, eyes that are high on cocaine, wine, and good friends. The person has luck that never seems to end but the band questions whether they think it will last forever. The band is unimpressed and uninterested as they sing, “Is that it, is that all you got for me? Just a copy of a copy, I won't let you have it for free free free.” The song argues that the person is just a one-hit wonder with no true talent or authenticity, only relying on temporary highs and the admiration of an audience.


The chorus, “Is that it, is that all you got for me?” is repeated throughout the song, emphasizing the band’s disdain for this person's lifestyle which seems to be all about quick fixes and superficial success. The crowd is also brought up in the song, with the band suggesting that they only show interest in this person for the thrill of watching them crash and burn. The verses are sung with a sort of snarling defiance, as if to say that The Donnas are not impressed and that this person’s time is up.


Interestingly, the song was originally written and recorded by a band called The Bags in 1978, but The Donnas covered it for their 2002 album, “Spend The Night.” The lyrics are written in a way that could be applied to aspiring celebrities or even to anyone who falls into a cycle of seeking temporary highs.


Line by Line Meaning

Oh you've got lights they burn out for you
You have fame and success which is temporary and will eventually fade away.


And you've got eyes, cocaine white and blue
You are addicted to drugs and using them to cope with the stress and pressure of the industry.


All you know is wine and good friends
You only surround yourself with people who enable your addiction and don't challenge you to be better.


Cos luck like yours, it never ends
Due to your fame and success, you are constantly being given new opportunities and achieving greater levels of success.


Or did you think it'd last forever?
Have you considered that your success and fame may not last forever, and that you should be preparing for what comes next?


Is that it, is that all you got for me?
Are you really just a predictable and shallow person who has nothing more to offer?


Just a copy of a copy
You are imitating others and not being true to yourself or original in your work.


I won't let you have it for free free free
I won't allow you to use or take advantage of me without giving me something valuable in return.


A pick me up and then you're off again
You use drugs to temporarily feel better, but it never lasts and you continue the cycle of addiction.


The crowd's there to see if you'll sink or swim
Fans are fickle and only care about your success and entertainment value, not your well-being or personal struggles.


They laugh and cheer when you crash and burn
Fans are entertained by your failures and mistakes, and don't care about how it affects you personally.


But they'll be back for your big return (they'll never learn)
Fans will always come back to support you, even if you continue to struggle with addiction and personal issues, and they will never learn to see you as a real person instead of just entertainment.


Watch the smoke fade, you finally got your space
After experiencing burnout and exhausting your resources, you have finally taken a break from the industry to focus on yourself.


Wander the streets, but no one knows your face
You are finally able to be anonymous and unnoticed in public, which is a relief from the constant attention and scrutiny of the industry.


Your senior slump, it was a flop
Your recent work has not been successful or well-received, and you are experiencing a slump in your career.


So give it up down to the top
You need to let go of your ego and pride, and start working from the ground up in order to rebuild your career and reputation.




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ALLISON ROBERTSON, BRETT ANDERSON, MAYA FORD, TORRANCE CASTELLANO

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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