Fall Out Boy: The Phoenix Meaning

Song Released: 2013

The Phoenix Lyrics

Put on your war paint

You are a brick tied to me that's dragging me down
Strike a match and I'll burn you to the ground
We are the jack-o-lanterns in July
Setting fire to the sky
Here, here comes this rising tide
So come on

Put on your...

1. 1TOP RATED

   #1 top rated interpretation:
   craaazy.bed.banana

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   Jan 27th 2014 !⃝

   It's a dig at the newer artists who are dominating the charts. Some said a few examples could be Justin Bieber, One Direction, etc. But I think it teeters more-so on the newer "rock" bands like Pierce the Veil, Blood on the Dance Floor, y'know.
   
   "You are a brick tied to me that's dragging me down
   Strike a match and I'll burn you to the ground"
   I believe this means that they're tired of new emo/scene bands giving pop-punk a bad name by association, so with their new album and sound, they're burning old bridges and "showing those bands how it's done."
   
   "Hey young blood, doesn't it feel like our time is running out?"
   This is a sarcastic, tongue-in-cheek lyric. Replace "Young Blood" with "Pierce the Veil" or "Blood on the Dance Floor" and it should make sense. Everyone thought FOB was in the past, so the newer bands could take their place, fan base, etc. but this is their way of saying "nope, back off; we're just getting started."
   
   "I'm gonna change you like a remix
   Then I'll raise you like a phoenix"
   
   This is their way of saying "let's show you how to make songs with real meaning and be a REAL rock musician, then you can have your glory."
   
   "Wearing our vintage misery, no, I think it looked a little better on me"
   I've interpreted that as their way of saying "no one can do 'emo' better than us". It's kind of obvious that bands like FOB, Blink and MCR kind of paved the way for bands like PTV and BOTDF so I think FOB is saying throughout the song that they're not ready to give up their reign yet, so the newer "rock" bands might as well step down.
   
   Looking at the rest of the song in that context, it should make even more sense. I'm pretty familiar with FOB's music and lyric meanings, so I pretty much had this song pegged down right away - It's a pretty reoccurring theme in their later albums. The album name "Save Rock and Roll" even ties into it.
2. anonymous

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   Jul 16th 2020 !⃝

   We r in the age of rebirth, rise up from the ashes, the living hell that everyone has gone threw personally at the soul level. Rise up and be the true person you were meant to b. Free yourself from pain. As far as we r the jackolanterns in July, i feel i am a jackolantern , light up the way for people to come to love. We shake things up. I felt strong about this month as well. God has been leaving signs everywhere.
3. anonymous

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   Feb 10th 2020 !⃝

   Jack-o'-lanterns in July, I take to mean the odd ones. The whole song I believe, is about taking back our world. War paint is love!
4. Weakleg

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   Jul 26th 2019 !⃝

   It's the tale of what was and what will be. Of the forgotten, who will rise again from the sea of our memory. To flush away the usurpers, maker of false promises. It will be harsh times, but meaningful. It won't be a fight, just a purge. They tricked us and they spreed pain whit there lies. Humanity has never been made to be like this, we were made for greatness. We are a wonderful race never doubt it. Those who feel are waiting on the sideline for the song to start. Go with the flow, and if the sky smile at you, smile back because it would be impolite if you don't.
5. anonymous

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   Jan 5th 2018 !⃝

   My interpretation of the song is similar to Bed Bananas. I would like to think that all of that is right. Right now though. I've been trying to figure out what "Jack 'o Lanterns in July" could mean. If anyone has a meaning for that.
6. MyPanicBoy

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   Jan 5th 2016 !⃝

   I think this is about being in like a dystopian society's war. And standing up for what you believe in.
7. anonymous

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   Aug 29th 2015 !⃝

   Fight against Society;let's take it back from the the rule makers. FOB are going teach the Young Blood what to do and that nobody can d it better than them.

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