This Devil's Workday

Album: Good News For People Who Love Bad News (2004)
Play Video
  • All those people that you know.
    All those people that you know.
    All those people that you know,
    Floatin' in the river are logs.

    I could buy myself a reason.
    I could sell myself a job.
    I could hang myself on treason.
    All the folks I know are gone.

    All the people that you know.
    All the people that you know.
    All the people that you know
    Floatin' in the river are logs.

    So I ate the wedding cake
    'til the whole damn thing was gone.
    And I'm gonna drown the ocean.
    Now ain't none o' that so wrong?

    All the people that you know.
    All those people that you know.
    All those people that you know
    Floatin' in the river are gone.

    Gonna take this sack of puppies.
    Gonna set it out to freeze.
    Gonna climb around on all fours
    'til all the blood falls out my knees.

    All the people that you know.
    All the people that you know.
    All those people that you know
    Floatin' in the river are logs.
    Well let's take this potted plant
    To the woods and set it free.
    I'm gonna tell the owners
    Just how nice that was of me.

    I could buy myself a reason.
    I could sell myself a job.
    I could hang myself on treason.
    Oh I am my own damn god.
    Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha Writer/s: ISAAC BROCK
    Publisher: Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
    Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 8

  • Steven from Clayton, NcI disagree intensely with all but Luke. This song seems to take on an almost Cajun style of explaining the devil. It's dark, cruel, bitter, nasty, sarcastic, morbid, rich with metaphor, and distinctly dark. I think this may be one of their best.
  • Hailey from Tc, MiI believe that this song it about a day in the life of your average devil. just a guy going around causing mayhem.
    and, i dont think you can technically be wrong about an interpretation of a song. brock writes songs about cars not starting and having a bad day, so i think there is reason to assume that this song could be about noting more that a man who tries his best to reak havoc on those around him.
  • Kp from Denton, Vaok, so your completely wrong about the meaning of the song, just like most people are completly wrong about modest mouse songs. The songs not about a jerk. Just listen to it and you would know that. Its about someone that doesn't want to be like someone else. They belive in themselves and they go their own way because he doesn't wanna be dead as a log floating in the sea just like everyone else working a 9 to 5. He doesn't need a reason, he doesn't need a job, he controls what he thinks, and he is his own damn god..
    Also the part about the potted plant isn't meant to make you think about the owners, I don't think.. its meant to make you think about all the potted plants you own and whether your right in owning anything.
    Think about that.
  • James from Lansing, MiThis songs (and most of the album) are heavily influenced by Tom Waits. If you Like this song you should check out Waits' Rain Dogs. His voice is a little rough, but he might be the best american song writer not named Dylan.
  • Jake from San Fran, CaThis song has a badass musical arragment
  • Luke from Martin, TnPersonally, I thought the song was written from an actual devil's point of view. Float On is a great song, but unfortunately it got overplayed and people started to dislike them.

    A bit of trivia: Their song Gravity Rides Everything was featured in a car commercial.
  • Daniel from West Covina, Cai agree thier newest cd is one the best i've heard in a long time there music is influental thier cd is very diverse from anyone alses i've ever heard i think they could be one the greatest rock bands ever know i encourage you to go out and buy good news for people who love bad news you won't be abale to stop listening to it they have great songs on ther like bukowski and black cadillacs all thier songs are great there music will move you.
  • Rob from Castaic, Casounds like a total jerk... but anyway, its too bad that Modest Mouse is such an underrated band. The success obtained by Float On overshadows some of their best stuff. I ain't saying that Float On isn't a good song becuase its actually very good, but a lot of their stuff is different.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Van Dyke Parks

Van Dyke ParksSongwriter Interviews

U2, Carly Simon, Joanna Newsom, Brian Wilson and Fiona Apple have all gone to Van Dyke Parks to make their songs exceptional.

Eagles Lyrics Quiz

Eagles Lyrics QuizMusic Quiz

Lots of life lessons in these Eagles lyrics - can you match them to the correct song?

Butch Vig

Butch VigSongwriter Interviews

The Garbage drummer/songwriter produced the Nirvana album Nevermind, and Smashing Pumpkins' Gish and Siamese Dream.

Bill Medley of The Righteous Brothers

Bill Medley of The Righteous BrothersSongwriter Interviews

Medley looks back on "Unchained Melody" and "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'" - his huge hits from the '60s that were later revived in movies.

Meshell Ndegeocello

Meshell NdegeocelloSongwriter Interviews

Meshell Ndegeocello talks about recording "Wild Night" with John Mellencamp, and explains why she shied away from the spotlight.

Dave Pirner of Soul Asylum

Dave Pirner of Soul AsylumSongwriter Interviews

Dave explains how the video appropriated the meaning of "Runaway Train," and what he thought of getting parodied by Weird Al.