Oats
tall friend Lyrics

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I act just like an old man
I eat my oats and
I go to bed

I smell just like a quitter
Tangy and bitter
Please let me rest

Mom calls from the hospital
"Happy birthday, now you′re all grown up"

"But mom," i tell her later,
"I have been grown since i was small"

Overall Meaning

In "Oats" by Tall Friend, the singer is lamenting the fact that they feel like an old person already, despite still being young. They compare themselves to an old man who eats oats and goes to bed early. This could be interpreted as a metaphor for feeling like they're missing out on life, or that they're stuck in a routine that feels monotonous and boring. They also describe themselves as smelling like a quitter, suggesting that others may perceive them as giving up or not achieving their potential.

Later in the song, the singer receives a phone call from their mom wishing them a happy birthday and acknowledging that they're now an adult. However, the singer responds by telling their mom that they've felt like a grown-up since they were small - perhaps suggesting that they've always been mature beyond their years, or that they've felt burdened by responsibilities from a young age.

Line by Line Meaning

I act just like an old man
I behave in a reserved and mature way

I eat my oats and
I consume wholesome food to maintain my health

I go to bed
I retire for the night to rest and rejuvenate

I smell just like a quitter
My scent resembles that of someone who has given up

Tangy and bitter
The smell is sharp and unpleasant

Please let me rest
I request for some peace and quiet to recover

Mom calls from the hospital
My mother phones from the medical facility

"Happy birthday, now you′re all grown up"
"Congratulations on your birthday, you are now an adult"

"But mom," i tell her later,
"However, mother," I explain in a subsequent conversation,

"I have been grown since i was small"
"I have been mature since childhood"

Contributed by Gavin M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.