End Scene
Vanity Theft Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

One foot in front of
The other
It's simple methods, simple math

But standing here, it's clear that
The true art lies in
Finding my way back
And, oh damn these
Charts and graphs for
Giving me a false sense of what I had

So busy plugging numbers
I forgot to mark
The X's on my map

I'm done for good now
For goodness' sake
I'll take my bows and inch off stage

Another candle on the cake
But god forbid I act my age
Ooh ooh, ooh ooh
Ooh ooh, ooh ooh

I'm getting to be too damn old for
Having so little to show

A couple could-have-been's
And should-have-known's
Won't get me where I've got to go

How many roads have I traveled
To have all these plans unravel
I'm my own judge, jury and gavel
Recess, regress, lost battle

I'm done for good now
For goodness' sake
I'll take my bows and inch off stage

Another candle on the cake
But god forbid I act my age
Ooh ooh, ooh ooh
Ooh ooh, ooh ooh

I'm done for good now
For goodness' sake
I'll take my bows and inch off stage

Another candle on the cake
But god forbid I act my age
Ooh ooh, ooh ooh
Ooh ooh, ooh ooh





(Ooh ooh, ooh ooh)
(Ooh ooh)

Overall Meaning

The song "End Scene" by Vanity Theft is a reflection on growing up and the pressure to achieve success. The opening lyrics "One foot in front of the other, It's simple methods, simple math" suggest the idea of taking things one step at a time to achieve a goal, but it soon becomes clear that the singer is struggling to find their way. The line "The true art lies in finding my way back" suggests that there has been a misstep, a wrong turn taken that has led the singer astray.


The second verse mentions "charts and graphs" which give a "false sense of what I had." This implies that the singer has been too focused on analytics and metrics, losing sight of what's really important. The use of the metaphor "X's on my map" reinforces this idea - marking a map with X's suggests a specific goal, but if you forget to do so, you may become lost.


The chorus repeats the phrase "I'm done for good now, for goodness' sake, I'll take my bows and inch off stage" three times, emphasizing the idea that the singer is ready to move on from this chapter of their life. The repetition of "another candle on the cake, but god forbid I act my age" suggests a feeling of pressure to achieve certain things by a certain age, but the singer is ready to let go of those expectations.


Overall, "End Scene" is a song about the struggles of growing up and the pressure to succeed. It highlights the importance of taking one's time, finding one's own way, and not getting too caught up in external metrics of success.


Line by Line Meaning

One foot in front of
Taking simple steps towards moving forward.


The other
Continuing down the desired path.


It's simple methods, simple math
Achieving success through basic strategies and calculations.


But standing here, it's clear that
Upon reflection, it's evident that


The true art lies in
The real skill is found in


Finding my way back
Rediscovering the correct course after being led astray.


And, oh damn these
Expressing negative feelings towards


Charts and graphs for
Statistical data that falsely influences


Giving me a false sense of what I had
Creating an inaccurate perception of what was previously accomplished.


So busy plugging numbers
Being consumed with data entry


I forgot to mark
Neglecting to indicate


The X's on my map
Not identifying the places I've been and the mistakes made along the way.


I'm getting to be too damn old for
Feeling too much time has passed to


Having so little to show
Having accomplished very little in comparison to the time invested.


A couple could-have-been's
Missed opportunities


And should-have-known's
Mistakes that, in hindsight, could've been avoided if one had more information.


Won't get me where I've got to go
Will not lead to the desired destination.


How many roads have I traveled
Reflecting on the numerous paths taken.


To have all these plans unravel
To see all the carefully constructed goals and objectives crumble.


I'm my own judge, jury and gavel
The artist is responsible for their own successes and failures.


Recess, regress, lost battle
Taking a break, moving backwards, and ultimately losing the fight.


I'm done for good now
I am finished for good


For goodness' sake
A phrase used to express frustration, compassion or empathy.


I'll take my bows and inch off stage
I'll leave the scene and move on.


Another candle on the cake
Another year of age is being acknowledged.


But god forbid I act my age
The singer refuses to feel or act older than their current age.


Ooh ooh, ooh ooh
A repetitive vocalization that emphasizes the emotion of the lyrics.


(Ooh ooh, ooh ooh)
Repeating the vocalization for emphasis.


(Ooh ooh)
Continuing the repetition of the vocalization.




Contributed by Julian S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Comments from YouTube:

A. T.

One foot in front of
The other
It's simple methods, simple math

But standing here, it's clear that
The true art lies in
Finding my way back

And, oh damn these
Charts and graphs for
Giving me a false sense of what I had

So busy plugging numbers
I forgot to mark
The X's on my map

I'm done for good now
For goodness' sake
I'll take my bows and inch off stage

Another candle on the kain
But god forbid I act my age
Ooh ooh, ooh ooh
Ooh ooh, ooh ooh

I'm getting to be too damn old for
Having so little to show

A couple could-have-been's
And should-have-known's
Won't get me where I've got to go

How many roads have I traveled
To have all these plans unravel
I'm my own judge, jury and gavel
Recess, regress, lost battle

I'm done for good now
For goodness' sake
I'll take my bows and inch off stage

Another candle on the kain
But god forbid I act my age
Ooh ooh, ooh ooh
Ooh ooh, ooh ooh

I'm done for good now
For goodness' sake
I'll take my bows and inch off stage

Another candle on the kain
But god forbid I act my age
Ooh ooh, ooh ooh
Ooh ooh, ooh ooh

(Ooh ooh, ooh ooh)
(Ooh ooh)

riotgrl40

Wow..there just aren't many good,cool grl groups anymore...or at least I rarely come across them...I love this...Rock on grls! Rock on!

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