Why Must I Be Sad?
They Might Be Giants Lyrics


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No more mister nice guy
I love the dead
I've been thinking about it
Now I understand what he said

Ask me now
I understand the words that Alice said
I kick the rocks beneath me
I squint at the sun
Sad, sad, sad, sad
Why must I be sad?
The rows of dandelions growing all around me
Why must I be sad? (sad, sad, sad)
(sad, sad, sad)

No one knows these things but me and him
So I'm writing everything down in a spiral notebook
In the hopes that one day
Other people will feel as low as this

Ask me now
I understand the words that Alice said
I kick the rocks beneath me
I squint at the sun
Sad, sad, sad, sad
Why must I be sad?
The rows of dandelions growing all around me
Why must I be sad? (sad, sad, sad)

No more mister nice guy
I love the dead
I've been thinking about it
Now I understand what he said




Ask me now
I understand the words that Alice said
I kick the rocks beneath me
I squint at the sun
Sad, sad, sad, sad
Why must I be sad?
The rows of dandelions growing all around me
Why must I be sad? (welcome to my nightmare dead)
Why must I be sad? (babies, raped and freezin' you)
Why must I be sad? (drive me nervous, elected)
Why must I be sad? (generation landslide, un)
Why must I be sad? (der my wheels, muscle of love)
Why must I be sad? (school's out, only women bleed)
Why must I be sad? (billion dollar babies)
Why must I be sad? (sad, sad, sad)
(sad, sad, sad)
(sad, sad, sad)
(sad, sad)

Overall Meaning

"They Might Be Giants" song "Why Must I Be Sad?" is a deep and introspective exploration of sadness and depression, using allusions to various songs by Alice Cooper. The opening lyrics, "No more mister nice guy, I love the dead," directly reference Cooper's song, "I Love the Dead." The singer is attempting to come to terms with their own feelings of sorrow and depression, as demonstrated by the repeated refrain, "Sad, sad, sad, sad, Why must I be sad?"


The song frequently references "Alice," likely Alice Cooper, and the words he said. The line, "I understand the words that Alice said" implies that the singer is trying to find solace in the words of others who have dealt with similar feelings. The dandelions may symbolize hope, growth, and perseverance, but their overwhelming presence may also represent how the singer feels lost and surrounded by melancholy. It's important to note that the singer is writing everything down in a spiral notebook, hoping that they can connect with others who share these feelings.


Overall, "Why Must I Be Sad?" is a somber and introspective journey, exploring the complexities of emotions and the desperation that can come with depression. The singer is searching for an explanation as to why they feel so low, and they are reaching out to Alice Cooper and others to feel less alone.


Line by Line Meaning

No more mister nice guy
I am done with trying to act nice and pretending everything is okay.


I love the dead
I have an affinity towards things that are morbid and death-related.


I've been thinking about it
I have been contemplating my feelings and thoughts lately.


Now I understand what he said
I finally comprehend what someone else was trying to tell me before.


Ask me now
You can approach me and ask me about my current state of mind.


I understand the words that Alice said
I am aware of the meaning behind something that someone else said.


I kick the rocks beneath me
I am restless and kicking things out of frustration and anger.


I squint at the sun
I am trying to find something bright and positive in my surroundings despite feeling low.


Sad, sad, sad, sad
I am feeling extremely down and full of despair.


Why must I be sad?
I am questioning the reason for my current emotional state.


The rows of dandelions growing all around me
There are reminders of beauty and growth in my environment that I am struggling to appreciate.


No one knows these things but me and him
There are certain thoughts and feelings that I keep to myself and share only with one other person.


So I'm writing everything down in a spiral notebook
I am channeling my emotions into a creative outlet of writing to cope with them.


In the hopes that one day
I aspire for my thoughts and experiences to resonate with others who may go through similar struggles.


Other people will feel as low as this
I wish for others to empathize with my sorrow without feeling like I am alone in it.


(welcome to my nightmare dead)
A reference to the Alice Cooper song 'Welcome to My Nightmare,' and a continuation of the list of despair-inducing things.


(babies, raped and freezin' you)
A reference to the Alice Cooper song 'Dead Babies,' and another addition to the list of morbid topics.


(drive me nervous, elected)
References to Alice Cooper songs 'Drive Me Nervous' and 'Elected,' and more items on the list of things contributing to negative emotions.


(generation landslide, un)
References to Alice Cooper songs 'Generation Landslide' and 'Unfinished Sweet,' and more negativity added to the list.


(der my wheels, muscle of love)
References to Alice Cooper songs 'Under My Wheels' and 'Muscle of Love,' continuing the list of unhappy things.


(school's out, only women bleed)
References to Alice Cooper songs 'School's Out' and 'Only Women Bleed,' and more bleak items on the list.


(billion dollar babies)
A reference to the Alice Cooper song 'Billion Dollar Babies,' and a final addition to the list of negative thoughts.


(sad, sad, sad)
A repetition of the line to emphasize the continuing sadness and despair.


(sad, sad, sad)
Another repetition of the line to further underline the continuing sadness and despair.


(sad, sad, sad)
A final repetition of the line to conclude the song with a final statement on the ongoing emotional struggle.


(sad, sad)
A shortened version of the repetition of the line, continuing to establish the consistent sense of sadness throughout the song.




Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JOHN FLANSBURGH, JOHN LINNELL, JOHN C. FLANSBURGH, JOHN S. LINNELL

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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