Keep It Simple
The Slackers Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

I try to keep it simple so you understand
I'm giving all the love that I can
I try to keep it simple so you understand
I'm giving all the love that I can

On a fall day
You would ask me
For my love
My friend
You said that I could trust you
Yeah you said you're gonna be my man

Ooh but one lie
Led to another
And I know that I lied myself
You see, one lie
Leads to another lie
But how many men do our lies kill?

I try to keep it simple so you understand
I'm giving all the love that I can
I try to keep it simple so you understand
I'm giving all the love that I can

C'mon
Well give me your excuses
Lord knows I heard them all
So has your momma and the F.B.I.
And they're both listenin' through the wall

They say one lie
Leads to another
I told it to the policeman
He said: "One lie leads to another lie
"But how many lies kill how many men?"

I try to keep it simple so you understand
I'm giving all the love that I can
I try to keep it simple so you understand
I'm giving all the love that I can

What part of love
Don't you understand?
Say, what part of love
Don't you understand?

Some folks say
"Man, take it easy"
Some folks say
"Man, take a walk"
Well, maybe I'll take myself
On down to the river
And throw myself off the dock

When you
See my body floatin' on by
You can
Throw me down a wreath
Then you can send my bleedin' heart off the Washington
Attention: Commander In Chief
Woo!

I try to keep it simple so you understand
I'm giving all the love that I can
I try to keep it simple so you understand
I'm giving all the love that I can

Said I try to...
Keep it simple...
So you would...
Understand...
Said the only thing worse in the whole wide world is another solid man

Said the only thing worse in the god damn world would be another quiet man





You know I try to keep it simple
I give you all the love that I can

Overall Meaning

The Slackers' song "Keep It Simple" is a romantic and political song at the same time. The song is telling the story of a woman who trusted a man with her heart, and he betrayed her with lies. The lyrics signify how lies can destroy not only an individual but relationships, communities, countries, and even the world.


The chorus expresses the singer's intention to keep it simple, given how difficult it is to navigate your way through life when lies abound. The singer's message is clear: he's giving all the love he can, and in return, he expects nothing but trust.


The lyrics also touch on the theme of betrayal, which, as seen in the song, can lead to catastrophic results. The singer implies that lies are so rampant in the world that even law enforcement agents are not spared from their impact.


Overall, “Keep It Simple” emphasizes how our actions and the lies we tell have consequences that can ripple through time and destroy everything in their path. Therefore, it’s essential to be truthful and honest with ourselves and others.


Line by Line Meaning

I try to keep it simple so you understand
I strive to make things clear for you


I'm giving all the love that I can
I am showing all of my affections to you


On a fall day
It was once a specific autumn day


You would ask me
You approached me with a question


For my love
You desired my affection


My friend
You addressed me as a comrade


You said that I could trust you
You claimed that I could have faith in you


Yeah you said you're gonna be my man
You professed that you would be my significant other


Ooh but one lie
However, a falsehood was spoken


Led to another
This deception prompted another


And I know that I lied myself
I acknowledge that I also deceived


You see, one lie
It's true, a single falsehood


Leads to another lie
Can cause someone to say another untruth


But how many men do our lies kill?
But how many human lives do our lies take?


C'mon
Come on


Well give me your excuses
Provide me with your reasons


Lord knows I heard them all
I have heard every excuse before


So has your momma and the F.B.I.
Your mother and the Federal Bureau of Investigation heard them too


And they're both listenin' through the wall
And they are both eavesdropping


They say one lie
According to them one falsehood


I told it to the policeman
I recited it to a law enforcement officer


He said: "One lie leads to another lie
He responded: "One falsehood can lead to more


But how many lies kill how many men?"
But think about how many lives it ruins


What part of love
Which aspect of love


Don't you understand?
Are you incapable of comprehending?


Some folks say
Some individuals claim


"Man, take it easy"
"Relax, man"


Some folks say
Others claim


"Man, take a walk"
"Go for a stroll"


Well, maybe I'll take myself
Perhaps I will go by myself


On down to the river
Down to the waterway


And throw myself off the dock
Where I will jump off the platform


When you
If you


See my body floatin' on by
Observe my lifeless body drifting past you


You can
You are able to


Throw me down a wreath
Place a wreath on my corpse


Then you can send my bleedin' heart off the Washington
And afterwards dispatch my agonized heart to Washington


Attention: Commander In Chief
Attention: The Head of the Military


Woo!
An exclamation denoting enthusiasm


Said the only thing worse in the whole wide world is another solid man
Claimed that there is nothing worse than another dependable male figure in the world


Said the only thing worse in the god damn world would be another quiet man
Claimed that there is no worse category of people than quiet men in the world


You know I try to keep it simple
You understand that I attempt to be straightforward


I give you all the love that I can
I display as much affection as I am capable of




Contributed by Eli D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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