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.
The Punch Line
The Mighty Mighty Bosstones Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And sometimes, sometimes you get to tell the joke
There's no difference on the end you end up on
I've got a preference I'll defend right, right over wrong
I won't wait till they say when
Or wait for them to tell me when I can
Why would I wait for them
I'd be no different then them
And I'm so certain that I am
Someone, someone will try to be the hammer
And someone, somebody ends up as the nail
Who cares what end you end up on
Hammers break and nails bend
I'll still take right, right over wrong
And that's what I'll defend, that's what I'm defending
The Mighty Mighty Bosstones's song The Punch Line is about the choices we make in life, and how sometimes we have to be the ones who take a hit, while other times we get to be the ones who make others laugh. The lyrics suggest that it doesn't matter which side you're on - being the punchline or the one telling the joke - the most important thing is to stick to your principles and do what you believe is right. The song points out that sometimes we have to stand up for what we believe in and not wait for someone else to give us permission.
The song's message is about taking control of your life, making your own choices and standing up for what you believe in, even if it means being the butt of the joke at times. It's about being true to yourself and having the courage to fight for what you believe in, even when it's difficult.
Line by Line Meaning
Sometimes, sometimes you've got to be the punch line
Sometimes, in life, you have to be the butt of the joke, the one who gets laughed at.
And sometimes, sometimes you get to tell the joke
And other times, you get to be the one who makes others laugh, telling funny stories and jokes.
There's no difference on the end you end up on
In the end, it doesn't really matter if you're the punch line or the one telling the joke.
I've got a preference I'll defend right, right over wrong
Personally, I believe in doing what's right, even if it's not the popular or easy thing to do.
I won't wait till they say when
I refuse to wait for others to give me permission or guidance.
Or wait for them to tell me when I can
I won't sit around waiting for someone else to give me the go-ahead to do something.
Why would I wait for them
I question the logic of relying on others for direction or approval.
If I waited for them then
If I did wait for them, I would be just like them - people who wait around for someone else to take action.
I'd be no different then them
I refuse to be like those who wait for others to make decisions for them.
And I'm so certain that I am
I am confident in my ability to make my own decisions and take responsibility for my actions.
Someone, someone will try to be the hammer
Someone will always try to be in control, to be the one who wields power over others.
And someone, somebody ends up as the nail
And there will always be someone who gets stepped on, who is powerless in the face of those who hold the hammer.
Who cares what end you end up on
Regardless of whether you're the hammer or the nail, it ultimately doesn't matter.
Hammers break and nails bend
Both the hammer and the nail have their weaknesses and can be damaged or broken.
I'll still take right, right over wrong
Despite the power dynamic between the hammer and the nail, I will always choose to do what's right and just.
And that's what I'll defend, that's what I'm defending
This is my personal belief system and I will stand up for it, defending it whenever necessary.
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Jardel Sacramento
Sometimes, sometimes you've got to be the punch line
Well and sometimes, sometimes you get to tell the joke
There's no difference on the end that you end up on
I've got a preference I'll defend right, right over wrong
I won't wait till they say when
Or wait for them to tell me when I can
Why would I wait for them
If I waited for them then
I'd be no different than them
And I'm so certain that I am
Someone, someone will try to be the hammer
And someone, somebody ends up as the nail
Who cares what end you end up on
Hammers break and nails bend
I'll still take right, right over wrong
And that's what I'll defend
That's what I'm defending
I won't wait till they say when
Or wait for them to tell me when I can
Why would I wait for them
If I waited for them then
I'd be no different than them
And I'm so certain that I am
I won't wait till they say when
Or wait for them to tell me w
hen I can
Why would I wait for them
If I waited for them then
I'd be no different than them
And I'm so certain that I am
Sometimes you've got to be the punch line
Sometimes you get to tell the joke
the incredible PsychoheaD
im here because of full circle.