To the Third Degree
Whippersnapper Lyrics

The first verse of Whippersnapper's song To the Third Degree speaks to a sense of superiority and self-assuredness that the singer exhibits. They warn the listener to watch their mouth drop open and not waste time with words that don't matter. Perhaps the listener has been trying to assert themselves or challenge the singer, but the singer has no patience for it. They feel confident and on top of the world, and they observe the listener working their line with a smile, but never saying anything that would actually make a difference. The singer is almost dismissive of the listener, as if they are not worth engaging with.

However, the second verse complicates the power dynamic between the two characters. The singer suggests that the listener may be deliberately trying to provoke them, or at least wants to be seen as the victim when things inevitably turn ugly. The singer seems to feel caught in a trap of sorts, as if their relationship with the listener is precarious and may soon turn violent. They describe themselves as a "perfect stranger" to the listener, suggesting perhaps that they don't really know each other well, but there is still some kind of tension or power struggle between them. The final verse suggests that the listener has been living in anger and trying to stake their claim, but has now pushed the singer too far. Trust has been broken, and the singer is walking away.

Overall, To the Third Degree seems to be about power and control, and the ways in which relationships can become toxic and dangerous when the balance is off. The singer is confident and in control at first, but as the song progresses, it becomes clear that they too feel vulnerable and uncertain. The lyrics suggest a kind of power struggle between the two characters - one that ends with the singer walking away.