Pale Blue Ribbon
Embracing Real Moments: Pale Blue Ribbon by Alkaline Trio
Lyrics
There's no prize for winning this race
There is no reward for winning this competition.
No pride for winning this way
There's no sense of accomplishment in winning in this manner.
(So what the hell, you're in first place)
(Despite being in the lead, there's a questioning tone about the value of being first.)
No prize for winning this race
No tangible reward for winning this race.
No pride for winning this way
No personal satisfaction in achieving victory this way.
(So why are running in the first place?)
(Raising a question about the motivation behind participating in the race in the first place.)
It's supposed to work sometimes
Expressing a belief that things are expected to work positively sometimes.
We'll lick these fools to get there
Overcoming challenges and obstacles is part of the journey.
Stand up we're fine
Encouraging resilience, suggesting that they will be okay.
It's okay to need sometimes
Acknowledging the normality of needing help or support.
And I'll be your hand, your bender
Offering to be there as a source of support and strength.
Your middle finger
Symbolizing rebellion and defiance with the mention of the middle finger.
'Cause I want your real life moments
Desiring genuine, unfiltered moments from the other person's life.
I wanna taste your pain
Expressing a willingness to share and understand the other person's pain.
And I wanna see your whore face on that day
Describing a desire to witness the other person's true emotions, even if negative.
You get no prize for winning this race
Reiterating that winning the race doesn't bring any real rewards.
No pride for winning this way
Emphasizing the lack of personal pride in winning through questionable means.
(So why you hurt in the first place?)
(Questioning the purpose of enduring pain or challenges in the first place.)
We're supposed to bleed sometimes
Highlighting the inevitability of facing difficulties and hardships.
And we met these guys together
Recalling shared experiences with others.
They fake tear-dry
Noting insincerity or deception in the tears shed by others.
I throwed you a break and you were lying
Referring to a gesture of kindness that was met with dishonesty.
There is your crutch you've leaned on
Pointing out a reliance on a crutch or support that has now been exposed.
Now stretch out and move on
Encouraging to move forward and let go of dependence on that support.
'Cause I want your real life moments
Reiterating a desire for genuine moments from the other person's life.
I wanna taste your pain
Expressing a willingness to share and understand the other person's pain, reiterated from earlier.
And I wanna see your whore face on that day
Repeating the desire to witness the other person's true emotions, especially in challenging times.
At this rate you'll get there before I do
Commenting on the pace of progress, suggesting the other person might reach a destination before the speaker.
And I'll be there before now (let's make out and)
Anticipating being present and supportive when the other person reaches their destination.
Let's walk it out together, loser strong
Encouraging to face challenges together with strength, even in the face of perceived failure.
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