Led by Rob Crow (of Pinback, Heavy Vegetable, Optiganally Yours, The Ladies… Read Full Bio ↴Led by Rob Crow (of Pinback, Heavy Vegetable, Optiganally Yours, The Ladies, Goblin Cock, Physics, Aspects of Physics, Orca, Fantasy Mission Force, Snotnose, Remote Action Sequence Project, Altron Tube, The Alpha Males, and surely more bands) and formed in 1995 or 1996 after the dissolving of Heavy Vegetable, Thingy specialized in a highly complex and melodic form of indie/rock type music with boy/girl vocals. Always quirkly and playfully downtrodden, Thingy released three albums: the acoustic "Staring Contest", "Songs About Angels, Evil, and Running Around on Fire", and "To The Innocent". There is an unreleased third album recording, which Rob Crow may or may not be working on finishing up. It has been on Absolutely Kosher Records' upcoming releases since 2003, but has dissapeared this year.

Ballpoint Pen
Thingy Lyrics

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Who's gonna wash their feet upside down
And who's gonna mosh with their arm broken?

Are you gonna wait for me?
Are you gonna wait for me?

And who's gonna take a nice Sunday out?
And who's gonna kick the ball in the house?

And who's gonna bid for the mailman's pouch?
And who's gonna set fire to the couch?
And who's gonna build when the yard's burning?

(Write this down better write this down
Got a feeling gone forget it if I don't write this down)

And who's gonna sue when they're not working?
And who's gonna count when it won't open?
And who's gonna feel for you when you've gone
Into the sea with the birdies and the fish
And wounded me?

Write down the crime
With a ballpoint pen
With a ballpoint pen
Will it come at me with a ballpoint pen?
Will it stab my hand so I can't write anymore?

Got a feeling gone, forget it if I don't write this down

And who's gonna take a nice Sunday out?
And who's gonna kick the ball in the house?
And who's gonna bid for the mailman's pouch?
And who's gonna set fire to the couch?
And who's gonna build when the yard's burning?

(Write this down better write this down
Got a feeling gone forget it if I don't write this down)

And who's gonna sue when they're not working?
And who's gonna count when it won't open?
And who's gonna feel for you when you've gone
Who's gonna wash their feet upside down
And who's gonna mosh with their arm broken?
Are you gonna wait for me?
Are you gonna wait for me?

And who's gonna take a nice Sunday out?
And who's gonna kick the ball in the house?
And who's gonna bid for the mailman's pouch?
And who's gonna set fire to the couch?
And who's gonna build when the yard's burning?
And who's gonna sue when they're not working?

And who's gonna count when it won't open?
And who's gonna feel for you when you've gone?

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Thingy's song "Ballpoint Pen" seem to convey a sense of urgency and the need to document things. The repeated line "Write this down, better write this down, got a feeling gone forget it if I don't write this down" emphasizes the importance of recording events or thoughts before they are lost forever.

The song includes a series of seemingly random questions and statements, most of which are followed by a reference to writing or documentation. Some of the questions seem humorous or nonsensical, such as "who's gonna kick the ball in the house?" or "who's gonna bid for the mailman's pouch?" These lines add an element of absurdity to the song, but they still fit into the overarching theme of the importance of remembering and documenting.

Overall, the lyrics of "Ballpoint Pen" by Thingy seem to be a meditation on the fleeting nature of existence and the need to keep records of our experiences before they are lost forever. The seemingly random questions and phrases remind us of the varied and unpredictable nature of life, but also highlight the importance of recording even the small moments in order to preserve them.

Line by Line Meaning

Who's gonna wash their feet upside down
Who will do things in an unconventional/odd way?

And who's gonna mosh with their arm broken?
Who is willing to take risks and push through pain?

Are you gonna wait for me?
Will you be patient with me and stick around?

And who's gonna take a nice Sunday out?
Who will prioritize self-care and relaxation?

And who's gonna kick the ball in the house?
Who will break the rules and have fun regardless?

And who's gonna bid for the mailman's pouch?
Who is willing to take risks and seize opportunities?

And who's gonna set fire to the couch?
Who will rebel and challenge authority?

And who's gonna build when the yard's burning?
Who will remain calm and constructive in a crisis?

Write down the crime With a ballpoint pen With a ballpoint pen Will it come at me with a ballpoint pen? Will it stab my hand so I can't write anymore?
Feelings of paranoia and fear, wondering if someone will come after the writer for the things they write down with a simple ballpoint pen.

And who's gonna sue when they're not working?
Who is willing to stand up for their rights and demand justice?

And who's gonna count when it won't open?
Who will persist in the face of failure and keep trying?

And who's gonna feel for you when you've gone Into the sea with the birdies and the fish And wounded me?
Who will comfort and empathize with the writer when they are struggling and feel alone?

Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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