Dashboard Confessional: The Swiss Army Romance Meaning

The Swiss Army Romance Lyrics

Sleep with all the lights on.
You're not so happy.
You're not secure.
You're dying to look cute in your blue jeans,
but you're plastic just like everyone.
You're just like everyone.
And that face you paint is pressed
impressing most of us...

1. anonymous

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   Dec 2nd 2009 !⃝

   I think it's about how high schoolers, especially girls, always try to act older than they are to impress, and he's looking deeper than that. And he's urging a girl to show him what's underneath everything, because she's not fooling anyone, and the title Swiss Army Romance means that the girl has multiple faces, and he wants to see her true face.
2. anonymous

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   Mar 5th 2008 !⃝

   I think it's about Carabba himself. I think it's a reflection on himself, or maybe the person he used to be.
   
   I think he's saying that he rushed his youth, and wishes he hadn't.
3. Surfer_Coyote

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   Oct 8th 2007 !⃝

   I think the real connection between the title and the lyrics of the song has been missed. A Swiss Army knife has multiple tools, kind of like a person can have many faces. One could also make the connection that just like a Swiss Army knife could have many uses, so could a lover or a relationship.
4. anonymous

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   Dec 26th 2006 !⃝

   Here is my interpretation of the TITLE:
   Swiss Army Romance refers to Swiss Army knives, in other words, cutting. So while she's trying to fit in, her insecurities make her cut herself.
   
   She's "dying to look cute in [her] blue jeans" and "dying to look smooth in [her] tatoos," but she's "plastic just like everyone"--- or just as fake--- and "searching just like everyone--- [she] could be anyone." This says that while she tries to act grown-up and fit in, she's becoming less and less unique.
5. anonymous

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   Nov 6th 2005 !⃝

   This song is about how everyone is in a rush to "grow up fast" and act more mature than they really are and have relationships, but really they are still insecure and unsure of themselves. The girl described in this song fits into this character because while she's "Trying to look smooth with.. [her] tatoos..." she's "searching just like everyone." And despite her social life, she's not really happy or secure with who she is and who she is becoming.
   
   There's also a reference to "fake eyelashes and fake IDs" which has to do with high school students going out drinking and trying to go to college parties so they can be like the older kids and look cool.

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