Formed in 1985, The Mighty Mighty Bosstones started playing in Boston clubs in the mid-1980s. After a brief period of inactivity due to the schooling commitments of its members, they reformed and released their album Devil's Night Out on Taang! Records. The Bosstones toured relentlessly throughout the 1990s, playing hundreds of shows a year, releasing albums and spinning off the popular rock radio hit "Someday I Suppose". They were eventually signed to Mercury Records. The band appeared in the movie Clueless. In 1997, the success of their single "The Impression That I Get" and its follow up, "The Rascal King" earned them mainstream recognition. In 2000 they put out their critically acclaimed disk Pay Attention. The Mighty Mighty Bosstones released their last album on Side One Dummy Records. They officially went on hiatus in 2003, citing too much time on the road and desire to branch out and do different things. In 2007, the Bosstones announced that they were reforming. They played their 10th Hometown Throwdown in Boston and released a new album, Medium Rare, which consists of rare B-sides, and 3 new songs, including the single, "Don't Worry Desmond Dekker".
The band announced their split in early 2022.
Is It
The Mighty Mighty Bosstones Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Somethin' needs to take your mind off this,
something's gotta shine a light,
Is it everything that you've ever wanted,
Is it still not quite
A giant shadow's been cast on your outlook,
something needs to help you shake
Is it or is it fake?
Is it I'm only asking
Is it? No need to reply
Is it coming at you now, or is it going by?
Something needs to snap you out of this
Something needs to set you free
Is it what you hoped for?
I hope it is and hope it never happens to me
A giant shackle's been locked, making matters
much worse than you'd rather they would be
Is it all you've ever asked for?
Is it or isn't maybe?
Is it I'm only asking
Is it? No need to respond
Is it right in front of you? Or is it way beyond?
Is it time for the ever after?
I believe it's tough to find
Is it ending in disaster?
Are you ahead? Are you way behind?
Is it? I'm only asking?
Is it? If you don't mind
Is it right in front of you?
Are you ahead or are you way behind? Is it!
The main theme of The Mighty Mighty Bosstones' song "Is It?" is the struggle to find clarity in life with regards to one's goals and aspirations. The lyrics ask the listener to question whether the things they are working towards, the dreams they are trying to achieve, and the obstacles they are facing are worth the effort they are putting in.
The verses offer different scenarios that can be applied to various aspects of life, whether it's personal or professional. The opening line, "Something needs to take your mind off this," sets the tone for the rest of the song as it communicates a sense of frustration and confusion. The lyrics describe a "giant shadow" being cast on one's outlook or a "giant shackle" being locked, making matters worse than they already are.
The chorus repeats the line "Is it?" several times, asking the listener to reflect on their situation and decide whether what they are pursuing is worth it or not. There is a sense of urgency in the way the lyrics are written, with phrases like "something needs to snap you out of this" and "I hope it never happens to me." However, the song ends on a note of ambiguity, with the listener encouraged to make their own conclusions about whether they are ahead or way behind in the race towards their dreams.
Line by Line Meaning
Somethin' needs to take your mind off this,
Something needs to distract you from your thoughts and worries
something's gotta shine a light,
Something needs to bring positivity into your life
Is it everything that you've ever wanted,
Are the things you've been pursuing what you truly desire?
Is it still not quite
Are the things you've obtained not fulfilling enough?
A giant shadow's been cast on your outlook,
Something has negatively affected your perspective on life
something needs to help you shake
Something needs to help you snap out of this negative mindset
Is it everything that you've ever dreamed of
Are the things you've been pursuing your greatest aspirations?
Is it or is it fake?
Are these things real and attainable, or just illusory?
Is it I'm only asking
The singer is simply posing a question
Is it? No need to reply
The singer doesn't need an immediate answer
Is it coming at you now, or is it going by?
Are these things presently within reach or leaving you behind?
Something needs to snap you out of this
You need something to jolt you out of your negative state
Something needs to set you free
Something needs to help you break free from your mental and emotional confinement
Is it what you hoped for?
Are the things you've obtained or are seeking aligning with your hopes and desires?
I hope it is and hope it never happens to me
The singer wishes you success, but also hopes they never experience the negative side of chasing your dreams
A giant shackle's been locked, making matters
Something is holding you back and making things worse
much worse than you'd rather they would be
The situation is far worse than you would like
Is it all you've ever asked for?
Do the things you've obtained or are seeking meet all your expectations and desires?
Is it or isn't maybe?
The singer is unsure if the things you're pursuing are truly what you want
Is it I'm only asking
The singer is only asking a question
Is it? No need to respond
The singer doesn't require an immediate answer
Is it right in front of you? Or is it way beyond?
Are the things you want within reach or completely out of your grasp?
Is it time for the ever after?
Is it time for the end result of your pursuit?
I believe it's tough to find
The singer thinks it's challenging to achieve the end result
Is it ending in disaster?
Are your actions leading to a negative outcome?
Are you ahead? Are you way behind?
Are you successfully achieving your goals, or are you lagging behind?
Is it? I'm only asking?
The singer is simply posing a question
Is it? If you don't mind
The singer is asking for an answer if it's not too much trouble
Is it right in front of you?
Are the things you're seeking within your reach?
Are you ahead or are you way behind? Is it!
Are you succeeding or failing, and is it worth the effort?
Contributed by Kaitlyn E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@RoverIAC
Lyrics
Have you ever been close to tragedy
Or been close to folks who have?
Have you ever felt a pain so powerful
So heavy you collapse
No, well
I've never had to knock on wood
But I know someone who has
Which makes me wonder if I could
It makes me wonder if I've
Never had to knock on wood
And I'm glad I haven't yet
Because I'm sure it isn't good
That's the impression that I get
Have you ever had the odds stacked up so high
You need a strength most don't possess?
Or has it ever come down to do or die?
You've got to rise above the rest
No, well
I've never had to knock on wood
But I know someone who has
Which makes me wonder if I could
It makes me wonder if I've
Never had to knock on wood
And I'm glad I haven't yet
Because I'm sure it isn't good
That's the impression that I get
I'm not a coward, I've just never been tested
I'd like to think that if I was I would pass
Look at the tested and think "There but for the grace go I"
Might be a coward, I'm afraid of what I might find out
Never had to knock on wood
But I know someone who has
Which makes me wonder if I could
It makes me wonder if I've
Never had to knock on wood
And I'm glad I haven't yet
Because I'm sure it isn't good
That's the impression that I get
I've never had to, but I better knock on wood
'Cause I know someone who has
Which makes wonder if I could
It makes me wonder if I've
Never had to, I'd better knock on wood
'Cause I'm sure it isn't good
And I'm glad I haven't yet
That's the impression that I get
@RoverIAC
@@donniet685 Have you ever had the odds stacked up so high
as politicians and media insist?
Or has it ever come down to do or die?
Natural Immunity is the best.
No well,
Cause I never took one shot,
But I know some friends who have.
I spent one day on my back.
While they kept getting sick.
@luisfrmz65
This song makes me wanna get dropped off at the mall at noon with only $5
@Azza0105
And when this song came out $5 went a long way and a good time.
@jonlowrey
That's at least a soda and plenty of Street Fighter 2. Sounds awesome.
@justinharnett2443
Lmao
@jonlowrey
@Max William Lauf Oscar contender no doubt,(make sure it's SF2 and not SF The Movie)😱
Still needs that nostalgia title, maybe "Four Quarters and a Tilt"?
@MrNb22
find the restaurant with the open soda jerk and bring that cup from home from 3 trips ago
@mrpunta
My girlfriend passed away suddenly in her sleep last week and this song just hits so hard. All she listened to was punk, rock, and ska. I just can’t express how much this song reminds me of her and means to me right now. Thank you and rest in peace Sheryl ❤
@LCSzninja
I’m so sorry for your loss ❤️🙏🏻
@cameronolsen9147
Sorry brother man. Sending you some love. ❤❤❤
@GodsInUs
Stay strong and live in the present moment, my friend. Sending you infinite love and healing energy ♥️