Nobody knows everything
We know this to be true
Everything is difficult except what's in front of you
But it's complicated even under your nose
Bullshit math equations
Your highs and your lows

And your manic depression
It comes and it goes
Your parasympathetic nervous system reacts
And you're in fight or flight mode

How's the world so small when the world is so large?
And what made the world
Could I please speak to who's in charge?
Everything is real
But it's also just as fake
From your daughter's birthday party
To your grandmother's wake

And your bipolar illness
It comes and it goes
Your parasympathetic nervous system reacts
And you're in fight or flight mode

I've tried to know which words to sing so many times
I tried to know which chord to play
And I tried to make it rhyme
I tried to find the key that all good songs are in
And I tried to find that notes to make that great, resounding din
But there's a bad man in everyone
No matter who we are
There's a rapist and a Nazi living in our tiny hearts
Child pornographers and cannibals, and politicians too
There's someone in your head waiting to fucking strangle you

So here's to you Mrs. Robinson
People love you more
Oh nevermind
In fucking fact Mrs. Robinson
The world won't care whether you live or die
In fucking fact Mrs. Robinson
They probably hate to see your stupid face
So here's to you Mrs. Robinson
You live in an unforgiving place


Lyrics submitted by airtank

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People II: The Reckoning song meanings
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    General Comment

    I would have to disagree that this song is about having bipolar personality disorder. When he says "your manic depression/ it comes and it goes," he's talking about a person feigning the disorder to explain away their inconsistent actions.That's why a preceding line is "bullshit math equations." The person he talks about is just indecisive and justifies it with bullshit. The narrator explains that much like performing a math equation, the person is using calculated, conscious logic. Whereas if the person actually were bipolar, they would have limited free will and decisions and actions would be made unconsciously in accordance with the mental disorder.

    He also uses bipolar disorder as a great metaphor for the moral duality of humanity. We tend to view ourselves and others in black and white terms, as good or evil, when its never that clear-cut. I'm not even a fan, but the lyrics are complex and great.

    inrandomtandemon September 06, 2014   Link

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