I'm Like A Lawyer With The Way I'm Always Trying to Get You Off (Me + You)

Album: Infinity On High (2007)
Charted: 68
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Songfacts®:

  • This song is about a couple with a strong emotional bond that is doomed for failure. The line "The best way to make it through with hearts and wrists intact Is to realize 2 out of 3 ain't bad" implies that the relationship has the potential to destroy them, and that they have to realize what's missing is love. "2 out of 3 ain't bad" is probably a reference to the Meat Loaf song of that name which declares, "I want you, I need you, but there ain't no way I'm ever gonna love you."
  • The only part of the title sung in the lyrics is "Me And You." Like Panic At The Disco, Fall Out Boy often chooses titles for songs that are very long and not necessarily related to the lyrics.
  • The video, directed by Alan Ferguson, was filmed in Uganda and follows the story of two children who are separated after their village is raided and one of them is kidnapped. The band was trying to draw attention to children there who were forced into war. A group called Invisible Children, which is working to end this practice, worked with Fall Out Boy on the video and traveled with the Warped Tour to call attention to the problem.
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    Suggestion credit:
    Bertrand - Paris, France
  • Veteran R&B producer Babyface produced this track as well as "Thnks Fr Th Mmrs." Pete Wentz, the band's bassist and primary lyricist, described Patrick Stump's vocals on this song as "straight-up Motown." He told MTV News: "If there wasn't a rock band playing, it'd be straight R&B, and he'd go on tour with just an upright bass and a drum and open up for R. Kelly."

    R&B isn't usually the pop-punk band's jam (not on their previous albums, at least), but they wanted to experiment with new styles on Infinity On High.

Comments: 10

  • Max from Somewhere, MdI always thought '2 out of 3 ain't bad' referred to the hearts and wrists bit directly. Like: 'it's better to make it through with your wrists intact, even if your heart get hurt.'
  • Hannah from Gustavus, OhTo me this song is about someone revealing a crush on their friend and despite being let down, trying to keep the friendship alive.

    First verse:
    "Last year's wishes are this year's apologies, every last time I come home" = Every time the two friends see each other, all they can think about is the past crush ("last year's wishes") and feel awkwardness.
    "I take my last chance to burn a bridge or two" = The person who had the crush is trying to convince their friend that they don't feel that way anymore.
    "I only keep myself this sick in the head 'cause I know how the words get to you" = The person who had the crush still flirts only because the friend will take it as a joke.

    Prechorus:
    "We're the new face of failure, prettier and younger but not any better off" = This line seems to poke fun at the way adults always seem to think young love is sweet/cute, when more often not it's painful and sad - not even youth or beauty can protect you from heartbreak.
    "Bulletproof the loneliness at best...At best..." = The friendship "bulletproofs" the person's loneliness, meaning that while they're glad to have the person at least as a friend, there's still always the knowledge in the back of their mind that the friend loves them as a friend - but nothing more.

    Chorus:
    "Me and you, Setting: In a honeymoon / If I woke up next to you, if I woke up next to you" = The chorus is purely the fantasy of the person who had the crush. It demonstrates that, although they can't be a couple, the person still has feelings for their friend.

    Verse 2:
    "Collect the bad habits that ypou couldn't bear to keep out of the woods but I love" = Refers to the person's "bad habits" of flirting with their friend, something they can't keep hidden ("out of the woods") but that the friend finds cute despitetheir disinterest.
    "The tree I used to lay beneath, kissed teeth stained red, from a sour-bottled baby girl with eyes the size of baby worlds" = Refers to memories they may have shared together, including perhaps a time they kissed as friends. "Eyes the size of baby worlds" indicates that while the friend is not interested in the person romantically, they acknowledge that they are beautiful and has value.

    Breakdown:
    "The best way to make it through with hearts and wrists intact / Is to realize two out of three ain't bad." = Although the person is somewhat heartbroken by their friend's disinterest, the person realizes that friendship and love, two of the things a boyfriend/girlfriend would provide (leaving out of course the physical aspects) are good enough.
  • Dayna from Milwaukee, Wianother thing i fell like the "wrists in tact" means it could be a reference to cutting wrists.. just the way a lot of this generation handles pains about love and stuff
  • Clb from A Place, Vathis song is really cute. I love it :D
  • Morgan from Huntsville, Al"2 out of 3 aint bad" means that we can't chase perfection(3) when we already have some things going right
  • Llama from Denver, CoSomeone on another website suggested this...
    "And the best way to make it through with hearts and wrists intact is to realize two out of three ain't bad."
    It probably means that he's going to make it through with his wrists intact, but not his heart. (2 wrists out of three things)
  • Jessica from Milton, NhI have to say...Pete Wentz is probably the best songwriter I know...
  • Drew from Ironton, Oh2 out of 3 aint bad could also refer to their 3 main cds which there first one wasnt the success that their 2 and 3 cds are. although their 1st one was probably their best.
  • Kali from Van Nuys, CaI am obsessed with this song! The chorus makes me smiLe...Literally! :] the Video touches my heart as well.
  • Jess from Knoxville, TnYet another song I can't quite explain.

    But I love it nonetheless. One of my favorite songs. I suppose it's a song that you just have to read the lyrics to understand it. It's quite simple to understand, just a little hard to explain.

    So...read the lyrics. It's a really good song.
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