The band played this at the American Music Awards in 1998 changing some of the lyrics to "can I masturbate" in place of "can I graduate."
The song sounds as if it is about a typical high school graduation, however, Jenkins wrote it when, in the mid-90's, he wanted to "graduate" from being so unable to express himself, something that he also couldn't do with some of the labels wanting to buy his band.
Graduate
Third Eye Blind Lyrics
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Can I graduate?
Can I look at faces that I meet?
Can I get my punk-ass off the street?
I've been living on for so long
Can I graduate?
Your whipping boy calamity
Cross your fingers, I'm going to knock it all down
Can I graduate?
Echo fading, we can't let go
She goes walking by in slow-mo
Sell your heart out for a buck
Go on, fade out before I get stuck
Talking to somebody like you
Do you live the days you go through?
Will this song live on long after we do?
Can I graduate?
Can I look at faces that I meet?
Can I get my punk-ass off the street?
Won't die on the vine
I want to knock it all down
Can I graduate?
Echo fading, candle blow
Did you flash out long ago
Cross my fingers, I don't know
Someone poked you down below
Can I graduate?
Can I graduate?
Can I graduate?
Can I graduate?
Can I graduate?
Can I get my punk-ass off the street?
Can I look in faces that I meet?
I'm not waiting here for you to die
Will this song live on long after we do?
The song "Graduate" by Third Eye Blind is a powerful anthem about growing up and moving on from a difficult past. The refrain "Can I graduate?" is a plea for acceptance and a desire to move beyond the struggles of the past.
The first verse sets the tone for the song and establishes the singer's desire to leave behind a life of turmoil and strife. The "bastard talking down to me" is a representation of authority figures who have held the singer down and prevented him from reaching his full potential. The chorus acts as a cathartic release, with the singer declaring his intention to knock it all down and start anew.
The second verse expands on the theme of living life to the fullest and not getting stuck in one's past mistakes. The line "Sell your heart out for a buck" represents the temptation to compromise one's values for financial gain, while "fade out before I get stuck" is a reminder to stay true to oneself and not get bogged down by conformity.
Ultimately, the song is a call to action and a celebration of individuality. The singer refuses to be held back by others and is determined to forge his own path in life.
Line by Line Meaning
Can I graduate
Expressing a desire to move forward to the next stage of life.
Can I look into the faces that I meet
Asking for permission to confront the people he interacts with directly without fear.
Can I get my punk-ass off the street
Seeking ways to leave behind a tough life and find new purposes.
I've been living on for so long
Reflecting on the time he has spent in unfavorable circumstances.
To the bastard talking down to me
Addressing someone who treats him with disrespect and contempt.
Your whipping boy calamity
Acknowledging his role as an easy target for the singer's ridicule and scorn.
Cross your fingers
Expressing a hope for a favorable outcome or success.
I'm going to knock it all down
Promising to overcome his obstacles by demolishing them physically or metaphorically.
Echo fading
The sound of the voice or idea becoming quieter, more distant, or forgotten.
We can't let go
Acknowledging the difficulty of moving on or leaving past experiences behind.
She goes walking by in slow mo'
Observing someone or something intimately and in detail, revealing how deeply it affects him.
Sell your heart out for a buck
Warning the listener against the dangers of pursuing money or material goods at the expense of their values or principles.
Go on
Encouraging someone to keep doing something even though it may be difficult to achieve or maintain.
Fade out
Giving up or quitting, possibly in the face of adversity or obstacles.
Before I get stuck
Taking action to avoid becoming mired in difficult or unfavorable situations.
Talking to somebody like you
Addressing someone who the artist does not respect or who has treated them poorly in the past.
Do you live the days you go through
Questioning the meaning and purpose of the listener's daily existence.
Will this song live on long after we do
Consideration of the lasting impact of art or music on the world and the artist's legacy.
Won't die on the vine
Expressing a willingness and desire to keep moving forward and growing, despite any difficulties or hardships faced along the way.
Candle blow
A metaphor for the end of something or the extinguishing of a source of light or hope.
Did you flash out long ago
Asking whether the artist has already lost hope or given up entirely.
Cross my fingers
A gesture of hope or optimism that something will go according to plan or work out successfully.
I don't know someone poked you down below
Confusion regarding why someone has treated the singer poorly or tried to undermine them.
I'm not waiting here for you to die
Refusing to remain in a negative or stagnant situation, choosing instead to move forward and create a new path for themselves.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: Kevin Cadogan, Stephan Jenkins
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind