Frank Turner: Reasons Not to Be an Idiot

It's March, and I'm slowly coming out of my internet hibernation. February was a beautiful month of snowed-in days, but I'm getting ready to stretch my arms, poke my head out of my cave, and take a look around at the cyber-world again.

I figure it makes sense to come out of hibernation with a rousing, get-out-into-the-world song. Since Kevin and I have been blasting Frank Turner in the living room a lot these days, this one was an easy pick. Though my only problem with this video is it's so delightfully goofy that it distracts you from the brilliant lyrics that Frank Turner is such a genius at creating. So I suggest watching it once, and then playing it again (the louder the better) while reading through the lyrics below.

Frank Turner: Reasons Not to Be an Idiot



You’re not as messed up as you think you are
Your self-absorption makes you messier
Just settle down and you would feel a whole lot better
Deep down you’re just like everybody else

She’s not as pretty as she thinks she is
Just picture her after she’s had kids
I bet she sits at home and listens to The Smiths
Deep down she’s just like everybody else

So why are you sad at home?
You’re not designed to be alone
You just got used to saying “no”
So get up and get down and get outside
’cause it’s a lovely sunny day
But you hide yourself away
You’ve only got yourself to blame
Get up and get down and get outside

He’s not as clever as he likes to think
He’s just ambitious with his arguing
He’s crap at dancing, yeah and he can’t hold his drink
Deep down he’s just like everybody else

I’m not as awesome as this song makes out
I’m angry, underweight and sketching out
I’m building bonfires on my vanities and doubts
To get warm just like everybody else

So why are you sad at home?
You’re not designed to be alone
You just got used to saying “no”
So get up and get down and get outside
’cause it’s a lovely sunny day
But you hide yourself away
You’ve only got yourself to blame
Get up and get down and get outside

Amy thinks that life is lacking in drama
So she fell for horoscopes, faith-healing and karma
She’s so wrapped up in her invisible armour
She’ll never grow into herself
And it’s OK thinking me and all my friends are just wasters
But saying that I can still see through her heirs and graces
I bet she’s scared her life won’t leave any traces
Caught up like everyone else

That’s not the point anyway
Oh darling, I felt compelled to call you up to say…
So why are you sad at home?
You’re not designed to be alone
You just got used to saying “no”
So get up and get down and get outside
’cause it’s a lovely sunny day
But you hide yourself away
You’ve only got yourself to blame
Get up and get down and get outside
Get up and get down and get outside
Get up and get down and get outside
Get up and get down and get outside
Get up and get down and get outside
Get up and get down and get outside

Frank Turner: Photosynthesis

I'm in love with this song. It's such an eloquent, concise (and fun) sum up of the exact conversation I've been having with a lot of my 30-something friends. How do you grow up without...well, growing up? In our adult world, can you hold on to the energy, the silliness, the passion, the sense of wonder that makes life worth getting out of bed for? I think you can. Blasting Photosynthesis at full volume is a good start.

Thanks to Upstart Crow Literary, I came across this video and have been enjoying Frank Turner's album Love, Ire, and Song ever since. (It looks like he has an even newer album, Poetry of the Deed, but I'm going to have to enjoy this one a little longer before moving on...)


Frank Turner: Photosynthesis


Well I guess I should confess that I am starting to get old
All the latest music fads all passed me by and left me cold
All the kids are talking slang I won't pretend to understand
All my friends are getting married, mortagages and pension plans
And it's obvious my angry adolescent days are done
And I'm happy and I'm settled in the person I've become
But that doesn't mean I'm settled up and sitting out the game
Time may change a lot but some things may stay the same

And I won't sit down
And I won't shut up
And most of all I will not grow up
And I won't sit down
And I won't shut up
And most of all I yeah I won't grow up

Oh maturity's a wrapped up package deal so it seems
And ditching teenage fantasy means ditching all your dreams
All your friends and peers and family solemnly tell you you will
Have to grow up be an adult yeah be bored and unfulfilled
Oh when no one's yet explained to me exactly what's so great
About slaving 50 years away on something that you hate
Look I'm meekly shuffling down the path of mediocrity
Well if that's your road then take it but it's not the road for me

And I won't sit down
And I won't shut up
And most of all I will not grow up
And I won't sit down
And I won't shut up
And most of all I yeah I won't grow up
And I won't sit down
And I won't shut up
And most of all I will not grow up

And if all you ever do with your life
Is photosynthesize
Then you deserve every hour of these sleepless nights
That you waste wondering when you're gonna die

Now I'll play and you sing
The perfect way for the evening to begin
Now I'll play and you sing
The perfect way for the evening to begin

And I won't sit down
And I won't shut up
And most of all yeah I won't grow up
And I won't sit down
And I won't shut up
And most of all I will not grow up
And I won't sit down
And I won't shut up
And most of all I will not grow up