Clumsy

Album: Clumsy (1997)
Play Video
  • Throw away the radio
    Suitcase that keeps you awake
    Hide the telephone, the telephone, telephone in case
    You realize that sometimes you're just not okay
    You level off, you level off, you level off
    But it's not alright now
    You need to understand
    There's nothing strange about this
    You need to know your friends
    You need to know that

    I'll be waving my hand
    Watching you drown
    Watching you scream
    Quiet or loud

    And maybe you should sleep
    And maybe you just need
    A friend as clumsy as you've been
    There's no one laughing
    You will be safe in here
    You will be safe in here

    Throw away this very old shoelace
    That tripped you again
    Try and shrug it off, shrug it off, shrug it off
    It's only skin now
    You need to understand
    There's nothing fake about this
    You need to let me in
    I'm watching you and

    I'll be waving my hand
    Watching you drown
    Watching you scream
    No one's around

    And maybe you should sleep
    And maybe you just need
    A friend as clumsy as you've been
    There's no one laughing
    You will be safe in here
    You will be safe in

    Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh. ooh, ooh
    Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh
    Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh (la, la, la, la)

    I'll be waving my hand
    Watching you drown
    Watching you scream
    Quiet or loud

    And maybe you should sleep
    And maybe you just need
    A friend as clumsy as you've been
    There's no one laughing
    You will be safe in here
    You will be safe in here
    You will be safe in here
    In here, ow
    In here, ow
    In here, ow
    In here, ow
    In here, ow
    In here Writer/s: Arnold Lanni, Michael Maida
    Publisher: Peermusic Publishing, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
    Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 18

  • Amy from Nova ScotiaI Think it's someone talking to themselves. Reassuring " You'll be safe in here" Just was my first thought.
  • Duane Soebagio from VictoriaAmazingly This song can have multiple meanings and still match most of the posted theories. For me it is an encouraging one 24 years on we are more aware of the multitudes struggling to fit in. The kids on the spectrum. The disenfranchised kid from a conservative home trying to deal with A.D.D. and finding his family through friendship bonds.
    And it positing an interesting
    read on the question of
    empathy vs apathy.
  • Bigboisad from Ming Pani thought that this song was about a stalker
  • Pete from AmericaI always felt this song was about a friend who was getting out there on meth. Songfacts kick ass
  • James from Palm Bay, FlYou really do need to have a friend. Our Messiah said,"I call you a friend and friends know what they are about."
  • James from Palm Bay, FlRaine read some letters I gave to Shannon a DJ at WKDF in the late 1980's early 1990's,especially the letter to Senator Sasser about floods the likes of which we've never seen,hail,tornadoes,etc .At the end of Clumsy there are 4 or 5 and Jim Old ham and Jim Oldham ...Go to http://360.yahoo.com/reallyelijah or www.JamesOldham.com
  • Steel-bender from Columbus, OhThis song is about waking up in a different hotel room every day, dealing with fake people every day, and loving and appreciating your friends and family, but I interpret it totally differently! Many of these songs are about being on tour and becoming so jaded!
  • Billy from Calgary, CanadaThe first time I heard this song I thought it was about bullying, mostly cause of the lines "There's no one laughing, you will be safe in here" which means the listener has found someone that cares about them.

    The other part which is how you need a friend as clumsy as you are, so two losers can sort of be happy together.
  • Brian from Vancouver, CanadaIm pretty certain I know what this song is about. I think its about people or someone whos maybe made some poor choices (partied too much, tried some drugs etc) and now theyre paranoid about something, whether its inside themself or whatever. I think the song is basically just a message to try and get through to someone who may be a bit of a basket case, pothead etc etc who is a bit toubled. I think its basically trying to get through to someone that NOTHINGS WRONG, NOTHINGS WEIRD ABOUT YOUR LIFE, YOUR NORMAL.
  • Kira from Edmonton, CanadaI think this song is about getting support from another person (a friend, etc.) "as clumsy as you've been, there's noone laughing; you will be safe in here"
  • Stefanie from Rock Hill, ScThe date of release according to the songfact says 1997. That sounds about right. I was born in 1988, and I remember being around 8 or 9 years old when hearing this song. My mom, sister, and I listened a lot to this kind of music.
  • Stefanie from Rock Hill, ScThis is a great song. I first heard it was I was younger, and I paid tattention to the lyrics, but didn't analyze them. I remember at that time thinking the chorus was really strange, lyrically. That was the part of the song that really stood out for me.
  • Alistair Kearns from Vancouver, CaThis is an awesome song, i saw these guys live, if you havnt make sure you go to their concerts on their healthy in paranoid times tour.
  • Dan from Washington, Dcwell Heather id have to say you might be wrong (actually your right but i have to post this funny thing) i think hes so clumsy that he actually falls from his old shoelace know he has to throw it away ! =)
  • Savannah from North Van, Bc, CanadaI like the emotion that Raine puts in that song. Its good. Plus hes hott.
  • Nicole from Scranton, PaI think Hes saying if everyone was more forgiving when it comes to clumsiness there would be less "drowning".Everyone makes stupid clumsy mistakes.Even me!!!!
  • Rob from Wantagh, NyWhen the band performs this song live and they sing the song about waving, the whole crowd usually waves their hands along with the lyrics.
  • Heather from Mead, Nei think this song is about getting rid of the things that hurt you. like the line that says " throw away this very old shoe lace thats tripped you again." thats just saying to git rid of that old girlfriend or boyfriend if the've hurt you again. awesome song!!
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Trans Soul Rebels: Songs About Transgenderism

Trans Soul Rebels: Songs About TransgenderismSong Writing

A history of songs dealing with transgender issues, featuring Pink Floyd, David Bowie, Morrissey and Green Day.

Melanie

MelanieSongwriter Interviews

The singer-songwriter Melanie talks about her spiritual awakening at Woodstock, "Brand New Key," and why songwriting is an art, not a craft.

90210 to Buffy to Glee: How Songs Transformed TV

90210 to Buffy to Glee: How Songs Transformed TVSong Writing

Shows like Dawson's Creek, Grey's Anatomy and Buffy the Vampire Slayer changed the way songs were heard on TV, and produced some hits in the process.

Robert DeLeo of Stone Temple Pilots

Robert DeLeo of Stone Temple PilotsSongwriter Interviews

Stone Temple Pilots bass player Robert DeLeo names the songs that have most connected with fans and tells the stories behind tracks from their Tiny Music album.

Matthew Wilder - "Break My Stride"

Matthew Wilder - "Break My Stride"They're Playing My Song

Wilder's hit "Break My Stride" had an unlikely inspiration: a famous record mogul who rejected it.

David Sancious

David SanciousSongwriter Interviews

Keyboard great David Sancious talks about his work with Sting, Seal, Springsteen, Clapton and Aretha, and explains what quantum physics has to do with making music.