The Impression That I Get
The Mighty Mighty Bosstones Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Or been close to folks who have?
Have you ever felt the 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
Never had to but I'd better knock on wood
'Cause I know someone who has
Which makes me wonder if I could
It makes me wonder if
I've never had to but 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
"The Impression That I Get" is a song by The Mighty Mighty Bosstones that was released in 1997. It became their biggest hit, reaching number 23 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The lyrics of the song talk about the fear of failure and the doubt that we all have when we are faced with challenges. The song opens with the singer asking if the listener has ever been close to tragedy or known someone who has been. He then asks if they have ever been in pain so strong that it makes them collapse. The tone of the opening verse is somber, and the lyrics suggest that the singer has experienced these things before.
The chorus of the song is an admission of the singer's own vulnerability. He has never had to knock on wood, which is a superstitious way of hoping that something won't happen. But he knows someone who has, and this makes him wonder if he could face the same challenges as that person. He is glad that he hasn't had to yet, but he is still worried that he might not be able to handle it if it happens.
The second verse of the song continues the theme of overcoming adversity. The singer asks if the listener has ever had the odds stacked up so high that they needed a strength that most people do not have. He asks if they have ever faced a situation where they had to rise above the rest. The final verse of the song is the singer's affirmation that he is not a coward, but he has never been tested. He hopes that he would pass the test if he ever were, but he is afraid of what he might find out.
Overall, "The Impression That I Get" is a song about the fear of failure and the doubt that we all have. It is a reminder that even the strongest people have moments of vulnerability and uncertainty, and that it is okay to ask for help when we need it.
Line by Line Meaning
Have you ever been close to tragedy
Have you been in close proximity to a significant unfortunate event?
Or been close to folks who have?
Have you been near those who have experienced significant misfortunes?
Have you ever felt the pain so powerful
Have you ever felt the strong pain?
So heavy, you collapse?
Has the pain been so severe that it caused you to collapse?
No? Well
If not, that's fine.
I've never had to knock on wood
I have not had to rely on an element of luck.
But I know someone who has
However, I am aware that some people depend on luck.
Which makes me wonder if I could
This fact stimulates my imagination as to whether or not I could rely on luck.
It makes me wonder if
Thinking about this causes me to wonder.
And I'm glad I haven't yet
I am pleased that I have not had to rely on luck.
Because I'm sure it isn't good
Relying on luck is not a reliable strategy.
That's the impression that I get
This is my perception of the situation.
Have you ever had the odds stacked up so high
Have you ever been faced with extremely difficult circumstances, with little chance of success?
You need a strength most don't possess?
To overcome such overwhelming odds, you need to have a strength that others don't typically have?
Or has it ever come down to do or die?
Have you ever been in a situation where it's either succeed or face a dire outcome?
You've got to rise above the rest
In such a situation, you must excel beyond everyone else.
I'm not a coward I've just never been tested
I am not timid, but I have not been in such situations to be tested.
I'd like to think that if I was I would pass
I would hope that if I ever faced such a situation, I would succeed.
Look at the tested and think there but for the grace go I
Observing those who have been tested and succeeded, I am grateful for my good fortune.
Might be a coward
I could be a coward.
I'm afraid of what I might find out
I fear that if I were tested, I may not have the strength to succeed.
Never had to but I'd better knock on wood
Although I have not had to rely on luck, I should knock on wood just in case.
'Cause I know someone who has
Because I am aware of someone who has relied on luck.
And I'm glad I haven't yet
Nevertheless, I am still pleased that I have not had to rely on luck.
That's the impression that I get
This is my perception of the situation.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Dicky Barrett, Joseph Gittleman
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@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 ♥️