I was looking up the lyrics to this old classic, and came across someone's response to what the song means. Apparently, he believes it's about the Kappa Sigs at LSU. Here's the lyrics and his interpretation. Could this be true? I'm sure some of you are/were in Kappa Sig at LSU.

Lyrics:

Past the road to your house
That you never called home
Where they turned out your lights
Though they say you'll never know

I remember running through the wet grass
And failing a step behind
Both of us never tiring
Desperately wanting

When they pumped out your guts
And filled you full of those pills
You were never quite right
Deserving all the chills
They say the worst is over
Kicked it over and ran
Then they ask what went wrong
When they turn you on again
They turn you on again.

Chorus:
Kick them right in the face
Make them wish they weren't born
And if they bring up your name
Well they'll say you won the war.
Baby burst in the world
Never given a chance
Then they ask what went wrong
When you never had it right

Oh the letters have dropped off
Though they say you got them all
I finally figured out some things you'll never know.
Take back your life and let me inside
We'll find the door if you care to anymore.

I remember running through the wet grass
and falling a step behind
Both of us never tiring
Desperately Wanting.

Interpretation:

by diggit18 on 07-09-2002 @ 11:08:48 PM
Actually, this song is about something else entirely, something a little darker. Kevin Griffen was a Kappa Sigma at Louisiana State University (I've seen his composite pic at the house. Weeiiird...) and this song is about Kappa Sigma (or any fraternity, really, but specific to the LSU Kappa Sigs) pledgeship. I don't want to spend an hour disecting the song line-by-line, but it all adds up in the end if you know certain aspects of Kappa Sig (especially Southern KS) pledgeship. For instance: "Pass the house, that you never call home" (pledges, seen as practically sub-human were (are) constantly reminded that the frat house is the ACTIVE's house and NOT the pledges). The chorus ("I remember running through the wet grass...") comes from a tradition of pledges, on their bid day, running from a certain central place to their respective houses. They wanted to join the fraternity so badly that they never tired, we're always "desperately wanting." You can read the rest of the lyrics with the ample stereotypes of hellish fraternity pledging ("filled you full of those pills", "kick'em right in the face", "make'em wish they weren't born," etc) and it pretty much spells itself out. The part about "the letters have dropped off" is a reference to another LSU tradition that I don't fully understand (tho I have heard brothers from the chapter mention it), but the "letters" are clearly the Greek ones. Asking what went wrong when u never had it right.. is a reference to the fact that pledges are never right and, most fittingly, "finally figured ouy some things you'll never know" refers to initiation and finally learning the Ritual, which, of course, no one outside of the fraternity will ever know. Much of the rest of the lyrics are symbolic references ("the door", etc) to other pledging things. Damn, looks like i did take and hour. Oh well. OF COURSE you must recognize that I am slightly biased (as are all Kappa Sigs) in this reading of the song, but it has been reported that Kevin himself has admitted that the song is about just this. However, as Dennis Miller says: "That's just my opinion. I could be wrong." Thanks for listening.