You Avoid Parties
The Posies Lyrics


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Isn't it nice how things resolve
To test your will would take the skill of crazy ants
You fit your mind into smaller and smaller jars
You find them clutching the last straw
As if it's worth the worse for wear and tear you look
But why try to understand someone that you don't even know
Even though he brought you up, beat you up,
Shut you up when you cried ?
And now you avoid parties
Because they remind you
Of someone who you used to know
Pretty soon you'll want to avoid yourself
A popular phrase from the same year
Would draw no tears save for the fears of looking back
You find you hide for weaker and weaker reasons
The battle you lost in the mirror
Earned you no thanks but wooden planks were soon withdrawn
And you couldn't run away even if you tried
And you tried and you cried 'cause you knew that laying flat
In your parents' car
And now you avoid father
Because they remind you
Of someone who you used to know
Pretty soon you'll want to avoid your own
And now you're finally on your own
You draw your choices from the voices you despise
You find you're drawn to tighter and tighter circles
Flashbacks, flashes forward
You are insane though you have gained such wide appeal
And all the car rides, cheap insides, laughter at the right people
At the right time at the right line in the right frame of mind
And now you avoid thinking




Because it reminds you of someone you used to know
Pretty soon you'll only think about yourself

Overall Meaning

The Posies' song "You Avoid Parties" explores feelings of isolation and detachment from oneself and others. The lyrics suggest a sense of resignation and self-preservation, pointing to the idea that as life progresses, we may find ourselves distancing from people and experiences that remind us of past pain or trauma.


The opening lines, "Isn't it nice how things resolve/To test your will would take the skill of crazy ants," offer a somewhat ironic and sarcastic tone, suggesting that resolution or closure is not easily achieved. The following lines, "You fit your mind into smaller and smaller jars/You find them clutching the last straw/As if it's worth the worse for wear and tear you look," suggest an attempt to compartmentalize or contain one's thoughts and emotions, but ultimately failing to do so.


The lyrics continue to touch on themes of avoiding, hiding, and internalizing pain or trauma, culminating in the final lines, "And now you avoid thinking/Because it reminds you of someone you used to know/Pretty soon you'll only think about yourself." The song seems to suggest that over time, we may become more self-centered and focused on our own thoughts and experiences as a means of self-preservation.


Line by Line Meaning

Isn't it nice how things resolve
It's satisfying when things work out.


To test your will would take the skill of crazy ants
It's very difficult to break someone's willpower.


You fit your mind into smaller and smaller jars
You limit your thinking and perspective more and more.


You find them clutching the last straw
People are desperately trying to hold on to something that barely matters.


As if it's worth the worse for wear and tear you look
People are willing to endure discomfort for something that is not even worthwhile.


But why try to understand someone that you don't even know
It's pointless to make an effort to know someone who you don't like or care about.


Even though he brought you up, beat you up, Shut you up when you cried?
Even if someone has negative experiences with their caregiver, they still feel a complicated attachment to them.


And now you avoid parties, Because they remind you Of someone who you used to know
The memory of someone from the past stops you from attending social events.


Pretty soon you'll want to avoid yourself
Your unresolved issues will make you want to avoid yourself.


A popular phrase from the same year, Would draw no tears save for the fears of looking back
Certain common phrases only remind people of their past mistakes.


You find you hide for weaker and weaker reasons
You start to hide from people for reasons that are not even significant.


The battle you lost in the mirror
You were defeated by your reflection in the mirror, referring to the negative self-image.


Earned you no thanks but wooden planks were soon withdrawn
Your efforts brought no appreciation and you felt like being left alone.


And you couldn't run away even if you tried, And you tried and you cried 'cause you knew that laying flat, In your parents' car
You feel trapped and helpless, like being locked in a car with no control.


And now you avoid father, Because they remind you Of someone who you used to know
The memory of someone from the past stops you from seeing your own father.


Pretty soon you'll want to avoid your own
You will eventually try to avoid your own thoughts and actions.


And now you're finally on your own
You are now independent and taking responsibility for your own life.


You draw your choices from the voices you despise
You make decisions based on the input of people who you don't like.


You find you're drawn to tighter and tighter circles
You confine yourself to smaller and smaller social groups.


Flashbacks, flashes forward
You constantly revisit past experiences and anxiously anticipate the future.


You are insane though you have gained such wide appeal
You are popular with others but have become mentally unstable.


And all the car rides, cheap insides, laughter at the right people
Memories of superficial experiences and pleasantries with others.


At the right time at the right line in the right frame of mind
The importance of timing and mood when it comes to social interactions.


And now you avoid thinking, Because it reminds you of someone you used to know
You try to avoid thinking about your past experiences and how they shaped you.


Pretty soon you'll only think about yourself
Your self-centeredness will increase and take over your thoughts.




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JONATHAN PAUL AUER, KEN STRINGFELLOW

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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