Infinity on High (2007)

This is one of my all time favorite albums lyrically so I’m so sorry but I will not be able to
restrict myself as much as I did with the other albums, I just have far too much to say and so I’ll
do a deepdive into just this album. I will go through every song pulling my favorite lines as
possible. Some will be whole songs and most will be chopped up so take that into account in
your noggin when reading.

“Thriller” Funny note: Jay Z does an intro and outro on

[Pre-Chorus: Patrick Stump]
Make us poster boys for your scene
But we are not making an acceptance speech
I found the safest place to keep all our old
mistakes
Every dot com's refreshing for a journal
update
[Chorus: Patrick Stump]
So long live the car crash hearts, cry on the
couch and
All the poets come to life, fix me in forty-five
So long live the car crash hearts, cry on the
couch and
All the poets come to life, fix me in forty-five
[Verse 2: Patrick Stump]
I can take your problems away with a nod
and a wave
Of my hand, 'cause that's just the kind of boy
that I am
this song, I’m not sure why but he does. I find
it funny that at the end of the track he says
“let’s go…” like Jay Z is introducing this album
in which he has exactly 6 lines which all
amount to ‘Here’s the album’.
Pete was notorious for his livejournal account
referenced here. People were on the edge of
their seats waiting for his posts apparently, I
wouldn’t know I was like five when this album
came out. That must be a lot of pressure to
know that so many people are waiting to read
your personal writing, even as someone who
writes such personal songs.
The chorus is believed to be about therapy
hence “cry on the couch” and “fix me in
forty-five”.
The Pre-chorus is my favorite personally. I’ve
got nothing left to accomplish or experience
besides death is a frankly depressing view on

[Pre-Chorus: Patrick Stump]
The only thing I haven't done yet is die
And it's me and my plus one at the afterlife
Crowds are won and lost and won again
But our hearts beat for the diehards
[Outro: Jay-Z]
Young! FOB!
Let's go...
“The Take Over, the Breaks Over”
[Verse 1]
Baby, seasons change, but people don't, and
I'll always be waiting in the back room
I'm boring, but overcompensate with
Headlines and flash, flash, flash photography
[Pre-Chorus]
But don't pretend you ever forgot about me
Don't pretend you ever forgot about me
[Chorus]
Wouldn't you rather be a widow than a
divorcee?
Style your wake for fashion magazines
Widow or a divorcee?
Don't pretend, d-d-d-don't pretend
[Post-Chorus]
We don't fight fair, we don't fight fair
[Verse 2]
They say your head can be a prison
Then these are just conjugal visits
People will dissect us till
This doesn't mean a thing anymore
[Bridge]
We do it in the dark with smiles on our faces
We're trapped and well concealed in secret
places, whoa
We do it in the dark with smiles on our faces
We're trapped and well concealed in secret
places
“This Ain’t a Scene it’s an Arms Race”
life but then it says “our hearts beat for the
diehards” which could be interpreted as the
fans keeping them going, especially since the
main point of the song is in fact thanking the
fans for their continued support throughout
trials and tribulations.
What does this title mean? Beats me! But the
song is a banger.
[edit: Genius says it references Jay Z’s diss
track at Nas so what is it with FOB and Jay Z
in this album?]
“Wouldn’t you rather be a widow than a
divorcee?” Is (and I am well aware I say this
too often) one of my favorite lines. Wouldn’t
you rather your spouse die than have to get a
divorce? Wouldn’t that remove the shame of
divorce and replace it with the sympathy of
grieving a loss even if you prefer it that way?
And follow it up with the idea of the
neverending media spotlight (also referenced
in “headlines and flash… photography”) with
“style your wake for fashion magazines”. You
cannot be caught off guard even in death, in
fact your death was strategically planned to
make you look good. Ugh such a good song.
Verse two discusses a more present moment
relationship. Essentially saying I’m only on
your mind for sex and even if it was more the
constant media attention removes all
meaning and pureness the relationship ever
had to begin.
Then to finish off the bridge implies they can
only be together truly in secrecy out of the
spotlight. Anything in front of the cameras is
for the cameras, only in the confines of a
private space can they enjoy the relationship.
Ok so the Scene is obviously the music

[Verse 1]
I am an arms dealer, fitting you with
Weapons in the form of words
And don't really care which side wins
Long as the room keeps singing, that's just
the business I'm in
[Pre-Chorus]
This ain't a scene, it's a goddamn arms race
This ain't a scene, it's a goddamn arms race
This ain't a scene, it's a goddamn arms race
I'm not a shoulder to cry on, but I digress
[Chorus]
I'm a leading man
And the lies I weave are oh so intricate
(Do-do-do-do-do)
Oh so intricate, yeah (Do-do-do-do-do-do)
I'm a leading man
And the lies I weave are oh so intricate
(Do-do-do-do-do)
Oh so intricate, yeah (Do-do-do-do-do-do)
[Verse 2]
I wrote the gospel on giving up
(You're looking pretty sinking)
But the real bombshells have already sunk
(Prima donnas of the gutter)
At night, we're painting your trash gold while
you sleep
Crashing not like hips or cars, no, more like
p-p-p-parties
[Pre-Chorus]
This ain't a scene, it's a goddamn arms race
This ain't a scene, it's a goddamn arms race
This ain't a scene, it's a goddamn arms race
Bandwagon's full, please catch another
[Bridge]
All the boys who the dance floor didn't love
And all the girls whose lips couldn't move fast
enough
Sing until your lungs give out
“I’m Like a Lawyer with the Way I’m Always
scene Fall Out Boy is and was a part of
especially considering this was during a peak
in their popularity.
Their songs are “weapons” and they’re
feeding a war but they are like an arms dealer
in that their business is the selling not the
actual winning of a war. As long as you buy
their music they are winning.
The chorus seems to be about how as a
public figure in the music scene much of
Pete’s life is fabricated or at least performed
for the media. It’s all a lie.
[Note: even though Patrick is the singer, Pete
always took on being the face of the group
especially with the media buzz around him]
Verse two has some nice wordplay.
“Bombshells” as beautiful women or literal
bombshells sinking or falling from grace
perhaps. Crashing parties being the fun
public party image rather than more raw
things like sex and death.
They also say “bandwagon’s full, please
catch another”. Don’t hop on us just cause
we’re famous we’ve got plenty of attention, if
you want to be like that just get on with the
next popular thing.
Once again the bridge might reference their
‘true’ fans who really relate to them and their
music, not the bandwagoners who will hop off
at any time.
Blatant sexual innuendo in the title. Not their
Trying to Get You Off (Me & You)”
[Verse 1]
Last year's wishes are this year's apologies
Every last time I come home
I take my last chance to burn a bridge or two
I only keep myself this sick in the head 'cause
I know how the words get you off
[Pre-Chorus]
We're the new face of failure
Prettier and younger, but not any better off
Bulletproof loneliness
At best, at best
[Chorus]
Me and you, setting in a honeymoon
If I woke up next to you, if I woke up next to
you
Me and you, setting in a honeymoon
If I woke up next to you, if I woke up next to
you
[Verse 2]
Collect the bad habits that you couldn't bear
to keep
Out of the woods but I love
The tree I used to lay beneath, kissed teeth
stained red
From a sour bottle baby girl with eyes the
size of baby worlds
[Bridge]
The best way to make it through with hearts
and wrists intact
Is to realize two out of three ain't bad, ain't
bad
“Hum Hallelujah”
[Verse 1]
only song that references lawyers. Fun fact
Pete’s dad (Peter Wentz II) is a lawyer and I
kind of hate that I remember that off the top of
my head.
Burning bridges is usually a bad thing hence
‘don’t burn your bridges’ is common advice as
in don’t fuck up relationships just because
you don’t currently need them for anything
(you may need to come back to it later). Pete
here seems to be intentionally burning
bridges or at least habitually doing so when
he has relationships to ruin.
He keeps himself mentally ill because it
makes his art better which is a common trope
with the tortured artist ‘his suffering was good
because it gave us his art, blah blah blah.’
Pete suffers from bipolar disorder and has
survived multiple suicide attempts which have
resulted in FOB songs about the topics. This
song references that he is aware that if he
weren’t mentally unwell he may lose some
fans if his music reflects different experiences
and perhaps that scares him. Getting better
can be scary when the illness is all you have
known and Pete seems to be grappling with
that concept.
The bridge could be referencing two things.
Hearts and wrists, if counted for one person,
are three things. So maybe a broken heart
but wrists intact represents not killing himself
even if he is suffering. According to the
Genius page, it could also reference
Meatloaf’s song “Two Out of Three Ain’t Bad”
where the three things are “I want you, I need
you/ But there ain't no way I'm ever gonna
love you”. This would mean that he doesn’t
love this person but still deeply cares for
them, and thus they can somewhat protect
their hearts even though there is no love
because “two out of three ain’t bad”.
Wow wow wow. This is actually one of my
favorite songs of all time. If you’re going to
listen to any one song only off this album
It's all a game of this or that, now versus then
Better off against worse for wear
And you're someone who knows someone
who knows someone I once knew
And I just want to be a part of this
The road outside my house is paved with
good intentions
Hired a construction crew 'cause it's hell on
the engine
[Pre-Chorus 1]
And you are the dreamer and we are the
dream
I could write it better than you ever felt it
[Chorus]
So hum "Hallelujah" just off the key of reason
I thought I loved you, but it was just how you
looked in the light
A teenage vow in a parking lot, 'til tonight do
us part
I sing the blues and swallow them too
[Verse 2]
My words are my faith, to hell with our good
name
A remix of your guts, your insides x-rayed
And one day we'll get nostalgic for disaster
We're a bull, your ears are just a china shop
I love you in the same way, there's a chapel
in a hospital
One foot in your bedroom and one foot out
the door
[Pre-Chorus 2]
Sometimes we take chances, sometimes we
take pills
I could write it better than you ever felt it
make it this one.
Important context for this song:
Pete Wentz had a suicide attempt and by his
account, “I got in my car. I remember I was
listening to Jeff Buckley doing Leonard
Cohen’s ‘Hallelujah’ and sat there and took a
bunch of Ativan in a Best Buy parking lot.” I’m
sure you can see how this is relevant.
With that in mind this song can be read two
ways: referring to this attempt or referring to a
relationship.
The first verse shows a back and forth
struggle in Pete’s own mind. With all the
complexities of life he just wants to be a part
of something. He has good intentions, but as
the saying goes “the road to hell is paved with
good intentions”. He feels like despite these
intentions he’s fucking up and he needs help
(the construction crew).
THE CHORUS.
Commonly known fact in the FOB fandom is
that the song is written in the key of D and
therefore is just off the key of C aka the key of
reason (also the key “Hellelujah” is in). The
following thought processes are also just
outside of reason. For example the next line:
“I thought I loved you, but it was just how you
looked in the light”. I wasn’t thinking straight
essentially. “A teenage vow in a parking lot,
till tonight do us part” could easily be
referencing the suicide attempt but also may
refer to a shortlived typically teenage fling,
not the wedding vows to forever but the
easier commitment of ‘just for tonight’.
“I sing the blues and swallow them too” is a
reference to depression and medication
ativan pills are sometimes blue.
Verse two goes wild as well:
“I love you in the same way, there’s a chapel
in a hospital”. The chapel in a hospital is for
bad scenarios generally where someone or
their family is seeking religious support where
medical support is not enough and
sometimes when someone cannot be saved
 and is going to die soon. To say you love
someone like this? I love you like a last
resort. I’m just about to leave you but
somethings keeping me here.

Finally, the second pre-chorus seems another

suicide reference or at leats a mental illness
one. Sometimes we take our chances with life
and sometimes we take pills that we know will
do something even if it’s not the best possible
outcome.

“Golden” One of the saddest FOB songs. Also one of

the shortest.
[Verse 1]
How cruel is the golden rule Overall a very depressing outlook on life.
When the lives we lived are only
golden-plated? He knew he wouldn’t be able to handle this
life he has created in the spotlight, but he
[Pre-Chorus] wears the spoils of this life out in the open for
And I knew that the lights of the city were too everyone to see and judge. All they see is the
heavy for me jewels and money, not his suffering.
Though I carried carats for everyone to see
Furthermore he sees the results of this
[Chorus] flaunting of his outrageous life. He’s made
And I saw God cry in the reflection of my enemies, had poor romantic relationships,
enemies and earned the disapproval of people around
And all the lovers with no time for me the world. Mother’s “pray” their children don’t
And all of the mothers raise their babies become him and isn’t that painful? To know
To stay away from me that you’re so despised?

[Verse 2]
Tongues on the sockets of electric dreams
Where the sewage of youth drowned the
spark of my teens

[Pre-Chorus]
And I knew that the lights of the city were too
heavy for me (Too heavy for me)
Though I carried carats for everyone to see
(Everyone to see)

[Chorus]
And I saw God cry in the reflection of my
enemies
And all the lovers with no time for me
And all of the mothers raise their babies
To stay away from me
[Outro]
And pray they don't grow up to be...
“Thnks fr th Mmrs”
[Verse 1]
I'm going to make it bend and break
(It sent you to me without wings...) Say a
prayer, but let the good times roll
In case God doesn't show
(Let the good times roll, let the good times
roll...)
And I want these words to make things right
But it's the wrongs that make the words come
to life
"Who does he think he is?" If that's the worst
you've got
Better put your fingers back to the keys...
[Chorus]
One night and one more time
Thanks for the memories, even though they
weren't so
Great, "He tastes like you, only sweeter"
One night, yeah, and one more time
Thanks for the memories, thanks for the
memories
"See, he tastes like you, only sweeter"
[Verse 2]
Been looking forward to the future
But my eyesight is going bad
And this crystal ball...
It's always cloudy except for (Except for...)
When you look into the past (Look into the
past...)
One night stand...
One night stand off!
[Bridge]
They say I only think in the form of crunching
numbers
In hotel rooms, collecting page six lovers
Get me out of my mind and get you out of
those clothes
I'm a liner away from getting you into the
mood, whoa
I remember reading somewhere that this title
came from a request to shorten their song
titles. I mean look at the evidence so far, they
aren’t exactly concise, but neither am I.
Fun fact the music video features Kim
Kardashian pre-KUWTK 2007 version and
allegedly Pete keeps just slightly in touch with
her through email (as of 2018) and she is
very nice.
Anyway this song is about staying in a
relationship for the sex and then also possibly
breaking up but still having sex? And then
finding new relationships with other people?
And harboring mutual negative feelings
towards your ex?
Implications that God might not be real, so
don’t worry too much about him start the
song.
Also, he disses her insulting ability which
seems like constructive criticism as he
encourages her to try again! Then she say
the classic "He tastes like you, only sweeter"
which I would say is a much better dig than
“Who does he think he is?”.
This is a classic song and I wish I had more
to say about it, but just read Pete’s actual
annotations. I’ll end with “collecting page six
lovers” is a reference to ending up in the
gossip pages of a newspaper, not necessarily
credible, but people are saying it about you
enough that it might influence your reputation.
Love the idea of collecting rumor fuel and
kind of knowing that that’s what your doing,
but still doing it “for the memories, even
though they weren’t so great”.
“Don’t You Know Who I Think I Am?”
[Verse 1]
Penny for your thoughts, but a dollar for your
insides
Or a fortune for your disaster
I'm just a painter
And I'm drawing a blank
[Pre-Chorus]
We only want to sing you to sleep
In your bedroom speakers, whoa-oh
We need umbrellas on the inside
Get me just right
[Chorus]
They say quitters never win
But we walk the plank on a sinking ship
There's a world outside of my front door
That gets off on being down
[Verse 2]
I could learn to pity fools as I'm the worst of
all
And I can't stop feeling sorry
For myself
Whoa oh
[Outro]
We're broken down on memory lane, alone
together, we're alone
We're broken down on memory lane, alone
together, we're alone
Oh-oh, oh-oh...
[Verse 1]
I'm a stitch away from making it
And a scar away from falling apart, apart
Blood cells pixelate and eyes dilate
And the full moon pills got me out on the
street at night
[Verse 2]
Oh, put love on hold, young Hollywood
Is on the other line
Her nose runs ruby red, Death's in a double
bed
I don’t think I do babes!
The media wants bad stories!!! The good stuff
just doesn’t get attention. What’s gonna make
a fortune for the gossip-loving news? A
disaster. Think Titanic submersible implosion
media field day.
Pete just cares about the music. Once again,
the real fans matter. They want the fans that
listen to them in their bedrooms alone at night
to listen. Maybe umbrellas on the inside
references a rainy/depressing mindset, and
the real fans relate.
Quitters never win but when the situation has
no good outcome… get out before you’re
stuck on the sinking ship.
The world loves tragedy and tortured artist
types, so get off that bandwagon before it
brings you down as well. That could
reference literally leaving the sinking ship of
this world through suicide or a more positive
view of leaving behind that mindset.
I pity the fool is Mr. T’s famous line implying
that he pities anyone foolish enough to go up
against him. The fool is someone who is
stupid and or ignorant. Pete could feel pity for
these people because he’s “the worst of all”.
Therefore, if he feels bad for himself, he must
learn to give that understanding to others
even when he feels they are ignorant.
In their post-hiatus album Save Rock and Roll
they put out a song called Alone Together.
One good thing could fix me but one bad
thing could ruin it all. He’s in a very fragile
state where anything could tip the scale and
push him over the edge.
Full moon pills could reference real pills that
are round and white or the full moon could be
the drug pulling him out to the street at night.
Everyone knows the full moon has strange
effects.
“Put love on hold” pause your personal life
Singing songs that could only catch the ear of
the desperate
[Bridge]
I'm a stitch away from making it
And a scar away from falling apart, apart
Blood cells pixelate and eyes dilate
Kiss away young thrills and kills on the
mouths of all my friends
“The Carpal Tunnel of Love”
[Verse 1: Patrick Stump]
We take sour sips from life's lush lips
And we shake, shake, shake the hips in
relationships
Stomp out this disaster town
You'll put your eyes to the sun and say, "I
know
You're only blinding to keep back what the
clouds are hiding"
[Pre-Chorus 1: Patrick Stump]
And we might have started singing just a little
soon
We're throwing stones at a glass moon
[Chorus: Patrick Stump]
Whoa oh, we're so miserable and stunning
Whoa oh, love songs for the genuinely
cunning, whoa oh
[Verse 2: Patrick Stump]
We keep the beat with your blistered feet
We bullet the words at the mockingbirds
singing
Slept through the weekend, and dreaming
Of sinking with the melody of the cliffs of
eternity
Got postcards from my former selves saying,
"How you been?"
[Pre-Chorus 2: Patrick Stump]
We might have said goodbyes just a little
soon
because the spotlight is calling. “Death’s in a
double bed” likely refers to “petite mort” aka
orgasm, so just hooking up. Finally “songs
that could only catch the ear of the
desperate” refers again to the fans as having
something in common with the singer.
“Kiss away young thrills and kills on the
mouths of all my friends” Who hasn’t kissed
at least one of their friends? It is a young and
restless type of energy that I feel like typically
comes with partying. Adding in the kills gives
a slightly darker energy but i can’t quite
pinpoint what it means.
Per the NIH: Carpal Tunnel “is a common
neurological disorder that occurs when the
median nerve, which runs from your forearm
into the palm of the hand, becomes pressed
or squeezed at the wrist. You may feel
numbness, weakness, pain in your hand and
wrist, and your fingers may become swollen
and useless.” And per WebMD: “It can be due
to repetitive motions, like typing, or any wrist
movements that you do over and over.”
The Tunnel of Love is a classic amusement
park boat ride attraction for couples meant to
make out in.
The title is like, the repetitive nature of love
(or loveless romantic endeavors more like) is
giving me a neurological disorder.
The way Patrick sings:
“Stomp out this disaster town
You'll put your eyes to the sun and say, "I
know
You're only blinding to keep back what the
clouds are hiding"
is just incredibly satisfying, please give a
listen. But anyways, the sun is blinding to
keep you from seeing what’s hidden in the
clouds is an incredible conspiracy theory
premise.
Those in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones
but what about a glass moon? Throwing
stones at the moon refers to a futile task.
You’re never gonna hit the moon with a stone
(Stomp out this disaster town)
Robbing lips and kissing banks under this
moon
[Bridge: Pete Wentz]
It was ice cream headaches and sweet
avalanche
When the pearls in our shells got up to dance
You call me a bad tipper of the cradle
Tired yawns for fawns on hunter's lawns
We're the has-beens of husbands
Sharpening the knives of young wives
Take two years and call me when you're
better
Take teardrops of mine, find yourself wetter
but maybe you shouldn’t be throwing them
anyway because if you did hit it you would
only ruin it.
They’re miserable but they are serving and
slaying at the same time. They write love
songs that need to be deciphered to make
sense, so they are only for those with mental
prowess to understand.
Another satisfying vocal moment is:
“Slept through the weekend, and dreaming
Of sinking with the melody of the cliffs of
eternity”
“Got postcards from my former selves saying,
"How you been?"”
His former self is coming back in a way to
remind him of who he used to be. Postcards
also imply that the former selves are in a
better place than he is currently. Probably
memories of happier times or at least simpler
times. They seem to taunt him.
“Robbing lips and kissing banks under this
moon” is obviously flipped from Robbing
banks and kissing lips. Kissing banks also
implies valuing money over relationships.
Robbing lips could also be referencing
stealing kisses in private.
Pete comes in at the bridge to growl out
some poetry, love. The highlighted section, to
me, implies an older man seeking a younger
girl. Tipper of the cradle is like cradle-robbing,
fawns on hunters lawns are young women
easy to subdue. These men are has-been
husbands aka probably already divorced. The
young wives' knives however imply they are
getting fed up with this and plan to fight back
soon.
“Take two years and call me when you’re
better” is a play on “take two pills and call me
in the morning” only he is implying he doesn’t
want to see or hear from the person again in
the near future. The last line implies she finds
pleasure in his sadness “Take teardrops of
mine, find yourself wetter” but also tears are
wet so a double entendre.
“Bang the Doldrums”
[Verse 1: Patrick Stump]
I wrote a goodbye note in lipstick on your arm
When you passed out
I couldn't bring myself to call
Except to call it quits
[Chorus: Patrick Stump]
Best friends, ex-friends 'til the end
Better off as lovers and not the other way
around
Racing through the city, windows down
In the back of yellow checkered cars
[Verse 2: Patrick Stump]
This city says, "come hell or high water"
Well, I'm feeling hot and wet
I can't commit to a thing
Be it heart or hospital
[Bridge: Patrick Stump, Pete Wentz, Both]
The tombstones were waiting, they were
half-engraved
They knew it was over, they just didn't
know the date...
And I cast a spell over the west to make you
think of me
The same way I think of you
This is a love song in my own way
Happily ever after below the waist
A significant song for the Petekey theorists
out there, feel free to look more into that here
as I won’t get into all that. It is a fascinating
read though. I will say the song was allegedly
originally titled “The Summer of Like”.
Doldrums: “a state or period of inactivity,
stagnation, or depression.”
As for banging them that's just a pun on
drums.
Were I to highlight I would have to highlight
this whole song basically.
Verse one: he feels guilty about his inability to
fix the relationship or talk it out, he could only
call to say it needed to end.
They were best friends, now they’re not even
friends because he wants them romantically
involved rather than platonic. They spent one
short but exciting summer together racing
around and doing things together.
“"come hell or high water"/Well, I'm feeling
hot and wet” Girl hell and high water have
come!! The time for strength is now but he
doesn’t have it in him to commit.
Bridge: (more Pete yelling, slay) The
relationship was obviously never going to
last, they just didn't know how long they had
together. Probably from outside
circumstances.
He wanted this person to love him/ be
romantically interested so he tries to make
everyone see how appealing he is as a
partner so that this one person will see it too.
“Happily ever after below the waist,” Pete is
know to say “gay above the waist” as he is
not gay, but is down for anything above the
belt. This line implies that possibly he would
cross that boundary for this person which in
that interpretation does heavily imply this is a

“Fame < Infamy”
[Verse 1]
I'm a preacher sweating in the pew
For the salvation I'm bringing you
I'm a salesman, I'm selling you hooks and
plans
And myself making demands
[Chorus]
When I'm home alone, I just dance by myself
And you pull my head so close, volume goes
with the truth
Signing off, "I'm alright in bed, but I'm better
with a pen"
The kid was alright, but it went to his head
[Verse 2]
I am God's gift, but why would he bless me
with
Such wit without a conscience equipped
I'm addicted to the way I feel when I think of
you, whoa
There's too much green to feel blue
[Chorus]
When I’m home alone, I just can’t stop myself
And you pull my head so close, volume goes
with the truth
Signing off, "I'm alright in bed, but I'm better
with a pen"
The kid was alright, but it went to his head
“You’re Crashing, But You’re No Wave”
[Verse 1]
The D.A. is dressed to the nines
In the mirror, he practices all his lines
To his closing argument, twelve hearts beat in
favor
I'm guessing that he read the morning paper
The headline reads "The man hangs"
But the jury doesn't
man. However some say this just means he
wants to have sex with this person and the
similar wording is not relevant. Again, highly
recommend skimming through that petekey
link at least, there is so much hinting here.
Infamy is better than fame. A bad reputation
is better than a good one in terms of getting
well-known.
He claims to be saving the subject but also
admits he’s selling himself. Essentially he
wants to convince someone into a
relationship or convince an audience into
believing his persona.
When he’s alone he lets loose, the subject
pulls him in and blocks out everything else.
He’s admitting that his true claim to fame is
his writing and lyricism not something flashy
like being good in bed, and also admitting
that he has become full of himself after all the
fame (or infamy) the attention gave him.
Again he is full of himself but also
self-deprecating. He’s like: ‘I was born a
fucking genius but I never do the right thing’.
However, he’s getting rich off of this life so he
has no reason to feel too bad for it and no
time to be ashamed when there’s more
money out there.
This song is so interesting in their catalog
because it is basically a court case partially
inspired by real events.
“"The man hangs"/But the jury doesn't”
context a hung jury is one that cannot reach a
unanimous decision, but this one has and it’s
in favor of the district attorney who has had
this planned out and memorized far in
advance. The man will be found guilty.
[Pre-Chorus 1]
And everyone's looking for relief
United States versus disbelief
Mothers cast tears on both sides of the aisle
Clear your throat and face the world
The verdict falls like bachelors for bad luck
girls
Only breathing with the aid of denial
[Chorus]
Case open, case shut, but you could pay to
close it like a casket
Baby boy can't lift his headache head, isn't it
tragic?
Oh-oh
United states versus disbelief implies that the
public may not be in agreement with this
outcome and are trying to grapple with the
reality.
Open and shut cases are easy, and you can
pay to get a case closed quickly in your favor
if you have enough. It’s a commentary on the
influence of money and power in the justice
system.
“He glances at his peers sitting seven to
twelve stacked/On one to six” let me paint
you an image:

[Post-Chorus]
Ohhh, ohhh, ohhh, ohhh, ohhh...

[Verse 2]
He glances at his peers sitting seven to
twelve stacked
It’s the jury box. The jury of his peers. 7-12
On one to six, the gallery is hushed...
stacked on 1-6, 12 jurors. Maybe you got that
Boys in three pieces dream of grandstanding
but I DID NOT for a WHILE.
and bravado
The city sleeps in a cell, notwithstanding what
These lawyers are just thinking about getting
we all know
rich and famous, not about ethical justice.
Hang on a rope or bated breath
Whichever you prefer

[Pre-Chorus 2]
Just look at the genius annotation for this.
And everyone's looking for relief
There’s no way in hell I could’ve thought that
A bidding war for an old flame's grief
up: https://genius.com/12174524
The cause, the kid, the course, the charm,
and the curse
Not a word that could make you comprehend
This witness is fishy, they may be hired by the
Too well dressed for the witness stand
D.A. to rig the trial.
The press prays for whichever headline's
Once again, the media prefers bad news to
worse
good. Whichever outcome would result in
more outrage is what the media prefers.
[Chorus]
Case open, case shut, but you could pay to
close it like a casket
Baby boy can't lift his headache head, isn't it
tragic?
Oh-oh

[Bridge]
Fresh pressed suit and tie, unimpressed birds
sing and die
Can talk my way out of anything
The foreman reads the verdict, "In the above
entitled actions
We find the defendant guilty, guilty, guilty,
guilty..."
“I’ve Got All This Ringing in My Ears and
None On My Fingers”
[Verse 1]
You're a canary, I'm a coal mine
'Cause sorrow is just all the rage
Take one for the team
You all know what I mean
[Verse 2]
And I'm so sorry but not really
Tell the boys where to find my body
New York eyes, Chicago thighs
Pushed up the window to kiss you off
[Chorus]
The truth hurts worse
Than anything I could bring myself to do to
you
The truth hurts worse
Than anything I could bring myself to do to
you
[Verse 3]
Do you remember the way I held your hand
Under the lamp post and ran
Home this way, so many times
I could close my eyes?
[Audience Applause Outro]
Now, press repeat
“G.I.N.A.S.F.S.”
[Verse 1]
I've loved everything about you that hurt
So let me see your moves, let me see your
moves
Lips pressed close to mine
True blue
But the prince of any failing empire knows
that
Unmarried man with tinnitus? (He is married
to the music not a lover perhaps)
Canaries used to be sent to coal mines to
check for poisonous gasses before miners
went in. He's saying he’s potentially
dangerous and the subject is the test subject,
but someone needs to date him and find out
for the good of everyone else.
He knows this is the way he is and he hasn’t
changed yet so he’s not really sorry for it. He
also sees the inevitable end where he is left
and kisses them goodbye.
The truth isn’t something he did but he
wishes he had done something bad enough
to be the cause of the ending instead of the
fact that he just doesn’t love them. The fact
that he couldn’t love them hurts worse than
anything he could have tried to do to push
them away or get them to break things off.
He reminisces and clearly they were together
decently long for him to memorize the way
home with his eyes closed.
“Now press repeat” is because this is the last
song on the album, so play it again. (However
we will keep going as the deluxe edition has
two more songs).
Gay is not a synonym for shitty. Pete Wentz
was giving Hilary Duff, slay king. But for real
Pete Wentz was anti-casual homophobia
even back in 2007, he didn’t appreciate the
lack of creativity.
This is possibly my favorite FOB song ever,
like you must listen to it to understand my
love for them deeper.
Everybody wants, everybody wants
To drive on through the night if it's a
Drive back home
[Pre-Chorus]
Things aren't the same anymore, some
nights, they get so bad
You almost pick up the phone
[Chorus]
Trade baby blues for wide eyed browns
I sleep with your old shirts and walk through
this house in your shoes
You know, it's strange
It's a strange way of saying that I know I'm
supposed to love you
I'm supposed to love you
[Verse 2]
I've already given up on myself twice
Third time is the charm, third time is the
charm
Threw caution to the wind, but I've got a
Lousy arm
And I've traced your shadows on the wall,
now I kiss them
Whenever I'm down, whenever I'm down
Figured on not figuring
Myself out
[Pre-Chorus]
Things aren't the same anymore, some
nights, they get so bad
I almost pick up the phone
[Chorus]
Trade baby blues for wide eyed browns
I sleep with your old shirts and walk through
this house in your shoes
You know, it's strange
It's a strange way of saying that I know I'm
supposed to love you
I'm supposed to love you
[Bridge]
Born under a bad sign, you saved my life
That night on the roof of your hotel
"Cross my heart and hope to die
Splintered from the headboard in my eye"
Photo-proofed kisses I remembered so well
Honestly I love it so much it’s hard to analyze.
I feel like it’s pretty clear and self explanatory
so let me just highlight the best of the best
lines I love:
“But the prince of any failing empire knows
that/ Everybody wants, everybody wants
/ To drive on through the night if it's a/ Drive
back home”
The prince is next in line for the throne but
who wants to be handed a failing empire and
have to take that blame and responsibility?
People only want to take the wheel so to
speak when the outcome is looking good and
they will be hailed a hero.
“Threw caution to the wind, but I've got a
Lousy arm” the imagery this calls to my mind.
Incredible. I’m taking a chance, but I can’t
even do that right.
“Born under a bad sign, you saved my life
That night on the roof of your hotel”
Pete is a Gemini and as Genius annotations
point out he is also suffering from bipolar
disorder. Geminis are seen as two faced,
bipolar is characterized by wild highs and
lows, he feels like he was dealt a bad hand
since birth. The line also points to being
saved from a suicide attempt “on the roof of
your hotel”.
Girl, please please listen to this song,
Patrick’s voice is so unique and brings it to
life in a way I could never.
“It’s Hard to Say ”I Do”, When I Don’t”
[Verse 1]
I speak fast and I'm not gonna repeat myself,
no
So listen carefully to every word I say
I'm the only one who's gonna get away
With making excuses today
[Pre-Chorus]
You're appealing to emotions that I simply do
not have
Blackmailed myself ('Cause I ain't got)
'Cause I ain't got anyone else
This is a stick up, give us all your inspiration
I've got the red carpet blues, baby
[Chorus]
So put your hands in the air and don't make a
sound
But don't get the wrong idea
We're gonna shoot you, we're gonna shoot
you
And there's nothing in your head or pocket,
throat or wallet
That could change just how this goes, no
We're gonna shoot you, we're gonna shoot
you, whoa
[Verse 2]
When I said that I'd return to you, I meant
more like a relapse
Now and again, I think, "His and hers, for
better or worse"
But the only ring I want buried with me
Are the ones around my eyes
It’s giving I’m not getting married, especially
with “the only ring I want buried with me are
the ones around my eyes”. I like to think that’s
implying eyeliner as Pete was well-known for
his “guy-liner”. It could also be like, eye bags.
Which could also be an interesting idea of , ‘I
don’t want to be buried until I’m thoroughly
tired of the world’.
“You’re appealing to emotions I simply do not
have” is such an interesting way to basically
say, it’s not you it’s me. You’re so appealing
objectively but it’s just not for me.
Also love the idea of blackmailing yourself,
how does that function?
The chorus is quite amusing to me. Stick 'em
up but don’t get under the impression that
that means we won’t shoot you. Cooperating
will not get you out of trouble. We’re gonna
shoot you either way. Nothing you say or give
us will stop us, in fact it wouldn't change a
thing.
“When I said that I'd return to you, I meant
more like a relapse”
This person is like a drug (very reminiscent of
“Just Like a Pill” by P!nk) I’m not coming back
because you’re great, I’m just addicted to the
relationship even if it’s bad.