Since 1988, the Eastside Milwaukee band has written for themselves a truly … Read Full Bio ↴Since 1988, the Eastside Milwaukee band has written for themselves a truly unique, musical story void of stereotypical self-destruction and rock-star excesses that have traditionally secured many artists fifteen minutes of notoriety. After eighteen years together and with all of the original members still in tow, The Gufs have established their legacy in the pantheon of Milwaukee rock bands by making simple and honest music that has not only withstood the test of time, but more importantly has built a significant group of very dedicated fans.

Dumb
The Gufs Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Please don't be alarmed
I know I am not like you
I don't get upset
Every time I hear the things they say about me

I don't believe everything I hear them say
I'm pretty dumb that way

Don't say you like me
I can hear you laughing
Don't say you like me this way
Oh, no

And I can feel them stare
Even when they look away
I will not forget
Every time I hear the things they say about me

I don't believe everything I hear them say
I'm pretty dumb that way
If I believed everything I hear them say
How could I live this way

Don't say you like me
I can hear you laughing
Don't say you like me this way

Don't say you like me
I can feel you staring at me

Don't say you like me
I can hear you laughing
Don't say you like me this way

Don't say you like me
I can feel you staring
Don't say you like me this way

Don't say you like me this way
Don't say you like me this way

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of The Gufs' song "Dumb" describe the feelings of someone who is aware of the negative things people are saying about them but is choosing not to let it affect them. They are asking others not to pretend to like them if they are just going to laugh at them behind their back. The person in the song is also acknowledging their own naivete, saying "I'm pretty dumb that way" for not believing everything they hear.

The repeated lines "Don't say you like me / I can hear you laughing / Don't say you like me this way" show the singer's frustration with insincere people in their life. They are tired of being made fun of and want to be accepted for who they are. Despite the judgment of others, the person in the song is determined to keep living their life and not let the negativity bring them down.

Overall, "Dumb" is a powerful song about the importance of self-acceptance and not letting other people's opinions define who you are.

Line by Line Meaning

Please don't be alarmed
I am aware that I am different from you, but there is no need to be scared or startled by me.

I know I am not like you
I understand that I don't fit in with your perceptions of normality or social conventions.

I don't get upset
I do not react emotionally or get disturbed by the negative things people say about me.

Every time I hear the things they say about me
Despite not getting upset, I still recognize the harmful things people say about me every time I hear them.

I don't believe everything I hear them say
I am skeptical of the things people tell me about myself, recognizing that they may not have my best interests in mind.

I'm pretty dumb that way
Acknowledging that my trusting nature may not always be the best way to go about navigating the world.

Don't say you like me
I don't want to hear any positive sentiments from people who are secretly mocking or ridiculing me.

I can hear you laughing
I am aware of the mocking and derision directed towards me, even if it is not said to my face.

Don't say you like me this way
I do not want anyone to try to change me or like me under certain conditions or situations.

And I can feel them stare
People's negative opinions and stares towards me are palpable, even if they try to avoid eye contact.

Even when they look away
People's avoidance and disdain for me is still evident even when they turn their gaze away.

I will not forget
I remember the unkindness and negativity towards me, even if I don't react or get upset about it.

If I believed everything I hear them say
I recognize that believing everything negative that is said about me would be detrimental to my well-being and self-esteem.

How could I live this way
I would not be able to cope or function if I believed and internalized all the cruel things people say about me.

I can feel you staring at me
People's stares and negative energy directed at me are tangible and deeply felt.

Don't say you like me this way
I refuse to accept conditional affection or approval, especially from people who have made it clear they don't accept me as I am.

Don't say you like me this way
I repeat that I do not want anyone to try to change me or like me under specific circumstances.

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ARNOLD DAVID LANNI, GORAN KRALJ

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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