Do you know what Fall Out Boy's new song, "This ain't a scene, it's an arms race" means?

Question

Do you know what the whole song means.

I love the band and all, but I really don't understand what they're trying to say in this song.

I have provided the lyrics for you to interpret them.

Thanks in advance!

I am an arms dealer
Fitting you with weapons in the form of words
And I don't really care, which side wins
As long as the room keeps singing
That's just the business I'm in

This ain't a scene, it’s a god damn arms race
This ain't a scene, it’s a god damn arms race
This ain't a scene, it’s a god damn arms race
I'm not a shoulder to cry on, but I digress

I'm a leading man
And the lies I weave are oh so intricate, oh so intricate
I'm a leading man
And the lies I weave are oh so intricate, oh so intricate

I wrote the gospel of giving up
(You look pretty sinking)
But the real bombshells have already sunk
(pre-madonnas 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

This ain't a scene, it’s a god damn arms race
This ain't a scene, it’s a god damn arms race
This ain't a scene, it’s a god damn arms race

Bandwagon's full. Please, catch another

I'm a leading man
And the lies I weave are oh so intricate, oh so intricate
I'm a leading man
And the lies I weave are oh so intricate, oh so intricate

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

This ain't a scene, it’s a god damn arms race
This ain't a scene, it’s a god damn arms race
(Now you)
This ain't a scene, it’s a god damn arms race
(Wear out the groove)
This ain't a scene, it’s a god damn arms race
(Sing out loud)
This ain't a scene, it’s a god damn arms race
(Oh, oh)
This ain't a scene, it's a god damn arms race

I'm a leading man
And the lies I weave are oh so intricate, oh so intricate
I'm a leading man
And the lies I weave are oh so intricate, oh so intricate

Answer 1

This song confuses me, too...don't worry.

An arms race is a term used to describe a 'competition' between two or more countries to see whoever has the most guns, weapons, etc - think of it as two rednecks trying to see whose SUV is more muddy or has the highest lift, but on a much larger scale ;)

Using the "filling you with weapons in the form of words" line, I think this song is just about the 'war' in music today and how it isn't really necessary. Too much labeling and feuding between bands has caused a lot of problems, which has taken away from the real meaning of music. The only thing that I can't understand in the song is the whole "scene" reference...scenes as in different music labels: emo, punk, blah blah blah?

The song is probably also popular because of the war metaphor because so many people are opposing what's going on right now...

I may be totally wrong, but that's what I think...

Answer 2

An Arm's Race is when two sides try to one-up each other by aquiring better or more weapons/technology/etc than the other one has. Historically, the most famous arm's race was between the United States and the Soviet Union during the Cold War, when each side built up their nuclear arsenal. Now what this means in relation to the lyrics of the song, I'm not sure.

Answer 3

i absolutly LOVE that song...I've watched the music vid way to many times and i think it might b how they got started but then pete falls out a window and dies and comes back alive cuz it was all a dream then im like ok and what is this about... not very many rock songs make sence these days...o well i still love them.

Answer 4

i love this song. seems like its about the 'scene' full of fake people generating fake music and not really doing it for the right reasons.

: )

Answer 5

this song is about how punk pop music is like so last year and them trying to like step outta the box.. "band wagons full please find another"

Answer 6

..... They really have no meaing.
Fall Out Boy suck dick really hard.