Lyrics
Mother do you have to be so mean to my brother
Expresses concern about the mother's treatment of the brother.
He's only 17
Highlights the brother's young age, emphasizing vulnerability.
And brother if only you could see that you're not dirty
Encourages the brother to recognize his worth, contrasting the mother's perception.
She's the one who isn't clean
Shifts blame from the brother to the mother, suggesting she's the one at fault.
And sister I miss you and I'm a coward I'll admit
Expresses longing for the absent sister and admits personal fear.
But a burning house can't hurt you if you're not inside of it
Uses a metaphor to explain that staying away from a harmful situation can protect oneself.
And you can't save someone who doesn't know they're sick
Indicates the futility of helping someone who doesn't acknowledge their own problems.
So I'll just play the bad guy cause I'm used to it
Accepts a negative role in the family dynamics due to familiarity.
Mother I miss the times you'd tell me that I'm pretty
Recalls positive past interactions with the mother regarding appearance.
And I would say I got it from my mother
Attributing beauty to maternal influence but notes a recent lack of recognition.
but lately you don't recognize my face
Expresses a desire for change in how the mother perceives the singer.
And I guess that's what I wanted
Acknowledges a desire for transformation but faces certain limitations.
But there's some things that makeup won't erase
Implies that some issues cannot be hidden or altered superficially.
I thought that if I just let you cry to me instead
Attempts to console the mother by being a supportive listener.
And tell you that I understand the hurt inside your head
Hopes that understanding and empathy will facilitate emotional healing.
That you would start to heal and maybe we could be alright
Desires reconciliation and improvement in the relationship.
But all you learned was if you talk for long enough you'd eventually be right
Realizes that the mother manipulates conversations to assert her correctness.
Maybe if I block your number
Considers blocking communication to avoid constant distress.
I won't hear you calling every night
Attempts to evade repeated confrontations but doubts the effectiveness.
But what's the use
Questions the utility of avoiding contact due to the inevitable recurrence of conflict.
You'll just change it and you'll call me up again to pick a fight
Anticipates the mother's persistence in initiating arguments despite attempts to avoid them.
I wish I was as strong as my brother
Admires the brother's ability to set boundaries and stop detrimental situations.
He knows when enough is enough
Misses a past self that was more tolerant and understanding.
I miss when I was patient as my sister
Hopes for the sister's understanding in the future regarding personal growth.
But I hope she understands when she grows up
Recognizes the need for the sister to comprehend personal changes as she matures.
Cause you can't save someone who doesn't know they're sick
Reiterates the impossibility of helping someone unwilling to recognize their issues.
So I'll just play the bad guy cause I'm used to it
Repeats acceptance of a negative role due to familiarity.
Cause after all I got it from my mother
Closes by attributing learned behavior to maternal influence, acknowledging negative traits.
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