Is This Thing Working?
Todd Snider Lyrics


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Is this thing working? Is this thing on?

In the hallway of a high school, anywhere USA
There was a bully that would pick on a different kid, and it seemed like every day
He had this pack of back slapping buddies, that would laugh and back him up all the way
And this screaming girlfriend who would make believe in everything he?d say

Is this thing working? Is this thing on?

Because then one day this kid, that he?d beat up a couple time before
Realized, to even his own surprise, that he probably could indeed take more
And with that he hatched an evil plan to make that devil pay
He walked up to him, in the middle of the gym, and he found the nerve to say
?you gonna hit somebody, today? You gonna hit me too.
In fact, you?re gonna hit me every day, because now I?m picking on you?
And as crazy as it all might sound right now, I?m not stopping until I?m through
It?s too late to beg for mercy

Is this thing working? Is this thing on?

Because that bully he just laughed and laughed, of course, and so did all of his friends
And he beat that poor kid unmercifully, for days and days on end
Only?.slight less impressively each time, to that pretty girl, and all of his friends
Who would eventually, secretly, start hoping for that kid to win

So, it this thing working? Is this thing on?

You know, you?ll never hear him say this now, because he thinks we still don?t know
But winning this battle every day cost our bully the war a long time ago
And of all the scars he?s got to show, for every blow that kid sneaks in
The worst one is probably knowing that tomorrow he?s going to have to get up
And fight that kid again





Is this thing working? Is this thing on?

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Todd Snider's "Is This Thing Working?" tell the story of a high school bullying situation. The singer sets the scene in the hallway of a typical American high school, where a bully relentlessly picks on a smaller, weaker student. The bully has a group of friends who cheer him on and a girlfriend who is blindly devoted.


One day, the bullied student had enough and decided to fight back in a unique way. He boldly challenged the bully to hit him every day and declared that he was now the one in control. The bully initially laughed it off and continued to beat the student, but eventually the tables turned. The student kept coming back for more, and eventually, the bully was defeated not physically, but psychologically. He realized that he had lost the war by being defeated by the weaker student.


Overall, the lyrics of "Is This Thing Working?" are a powerful commentary on the effects of bullying and the importance of standing up for oneself. Besides just physical confrontation, the song shows that there are other ways to take control, even in the most hopeless-seeming situations.


Line by Line Meaning

Is this thing working? Is this thing on?
Asking whether something is functioning or operational


In the hallway of a high school, anywhere USA
Setting the stage in a typical American high school


There was a bully that would pick on a different kid, and it seemed like every day
Introducing the antagonist who harasses a kid every day


He had this pack of back slapping buddies, that would laugh and back him up all the way
Describing the support system the bully has in his friends


And this screaming girlfriend who would make believe in everything he'd say
Mentioning the bully's girlfriend who blindly follows him


Because then one day this kid, that he'd beat up a couple time before
The bullied kid decides to stand up for himself


Realized, to even his own surprise, that he probably could indeed take more
The bullied kid discovers his resilience to the bully's attacks


And with that he hatched an evil plan to make that devil pay
The bullied kid devises a revenge scheme against the bully


He walked up to him, in the middle of the gym, and he found the nerve to say
The bullied kid confronts the bully in front of everyone


?you gonna hit somebody, today? You gonna hit me too.
The bullied kid challenges the bully to fight him


In fact, you?re gonna hit me every day, because now I'm picking on you?
The bullied kid reverses the roles and starts tormenting the bully


And as crazy as it all might sound right now, I'm not stopping until I'm through
The bullied kid declares his determination to exact revenge on the bully


It's too late to beg for mercy
The bullied kid shows no mercy towards the bully


Because that bully he just laughed and laughed, of course, and so did all of his friends
The bully and his friends initially find the bullied kid's plan amusing


And he beat that poor kid unmercifully, for days and days on end
The bully retaliates with brutal physical attacks


Only?slight less impressively each time, to that pretty girl, and all of his friend
The bully's violent behavior becomes less impressive to his friends


Who would eventually, secretly, start hoping for that kid to win
The bully's friends start sympathizing with the bullied kid


You know, you'll never hear him say this now, because he thinks we still don't know
The singer states that the bully would never admit to his defeat


But winning this battle every day cost our bully the war a long time ago
The cost of the daily battles against the bullied kid has taken a toll on the bully's emotional and mental state


And of all the scars he's got to show, for every blow that kid sneaks in
The bully carries the emotional scars from the bullied kid's successful revenge


The worst one is probably knowing that tomorrow he's going to have to get up
The bully is haunted by the prospect of facing the bullied kid again the next day


And fight that kid again
The bully will continue to face the consequences of his actions




Contributed by Lillian W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Comments from YouTube:

@askme9553

One time a kid ran across a basketball court and pushed me and it ended up with him having a broken arm

@JDanger18

i wish more people herd this song and realized the pane some kids go trow and stand up for what is right.

@kzoo2ashville

nice! thanks for the post.

@Nokdef

Dota 2 announcer pyrion flex reference...

@ToddSnider1

@JDanger18 u said it man...

@Valve919

One bully didn't like this song.

@mikeyeldred1785

Most definitely

@ELIASSPRENTISS

two lmao

@michelledibiase

No more bullying :)! Had my share of black eyes too but never really punched back just took it and the other girl looked like an idiot one time:) and the guy ended up wanting to go out with me in the end:) black eye and all:))

@brianrhodes4591

None

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