The Nines is an indie Toronto/Oakville-based power pop band comprised of St… Read Full Bio ↴The Nines is an indie Toronto/Oakville-based power pop band comprised of Steve Eggers, Paul McCulloch and Warren Cliff. Music critic Bud Scoppa of Rolling Stone has written, "Picking up where the Beatles left off is a big challenge, but it can be done, as XTC, Jellyfish and Spoon have proved. The Nines belong in that rarefied company."

The band released its first LP, 'Wonderworld of Colourful', in 1998. It was followed later that year by a four-song EP. Several songs found frequent airplay in U.S. and Canadian college rock stations. A retooled lineup of the Nines released 'Properties of Sound' in 2001. Its latest work is 'Calling Distance Stations', released in 2006.

Average Joe
The Nines Lyrics

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I made you cry
You told a thousand lies
Why can't you leave me alone?
That other song I wrote for you
Was just sarcasm
Not any meaningful words
So why can't you
Get this through your skull

That all past feelings for you
Are now null?
You are a Void of Self-Depressive Existence
And you were never ever worth any of
The Distance
I fell for your tricks
Too many times
They all turned out to be lies
I should have taken all of The Warnings
If I were you I'd spread your wings and fly
So why can't you
Get this through your head
That all past feelings for you
Are now dead?
You are a Void of Self-Depressive Existence
And you were never ever worth any of
The Distance
And I want you to know

That you aren't worth your Average Joe
You aren't worth your Average Joe!

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of The Nines' song "Average Joe" capture a sense of frustration and disappointment in a relationship that has soured. The singer expresses regret over past actions that have caused the other person to cry and tells them that their countless lies have led to a breakdown in trust. The plea for the other person to leave them alone suggests a desire to break free from the toxicity of the relationship.

The mention of a previous song written for the other person being dismissed as mere sarcasm highlights a sense of emotional detachment and a lack of genuine connection. The singer emphasizes that the past feelings they once had for the other person are now null and that they see through the facade of deceit that has clouded the relationship. The repeated questioning of why the other person can't understand this reflects a frustration with their inability to move on.

The lyrics paint a picture of the other person as a "Void of Self-Depressive Existence," portraying them as someone who brings negativity and emotional burden into the singer's life. The realization that they were never worth the effort or emotional investment further solidifies the singer's decision to distance themselves from this person. The references to falling for tricks and being deceived multiple times underscore the sense of betrayal and the need to learn from past mistakes.

Ultimately, the singer asserts that the other person is not worth their "Average Joe," suggesting that they do not measure up to even the most minimal standards of worth or value. The insistence that the other person is not deserving of even being considered average highlights a deep sense of disappointment and disillusionment with the relationship. The repetition of these sentiments throughout the song underscores the emotional intensity and finality of the singer's decision to break free from a toxic and unfulfilling connection.

Line by Line Meaning

I made you cry
I caused you pain

You told a thousand lies
You deceived me numerous times

Why can't you leave me alone?
Why do you continue to bother me?

That other song I wrote for you
The song I wrote was insincere

Was just sarcasm
It was meant to mock or ridicule

Not any meaningful words
It lacked genuine emotion

Get this through your skull
Understand this clearly

All past feelings for you
Previous emotions towards you

Are now null?
No longer exist?

You are a Void of Self-Depressive Existence
You are empty and negative

And you were never ever worth any of The Distance
You were never worth my effort or time