This one is about feeling intense moments of depression and anxiety. In these dark moments, it feels like everything is collapsing in, that the world is out to get you and there’s no end in sight. The line about “a rabbit in the headlights” is a nod to the Thom Yorke song. The simple two-chord progression and beat are at odds with the very chaotic, noisy lead guitar parts that dual with each other. The intention is to simulate the intense chaos going on in a person’s head on top of the repetitive monotony of day-to-day life. It’s the breaking point.
At the end of my rope
Feeling like I’m gonna choke
You can only take so much before you break
And you have to try to give before you take
And take and take and take
And take and take and take and take
And take and take and take and take
And take and take and take and take
And take and take and take and take, yeah
Schizophrenic, paranoid
Stepping down into the void
And I’m feeling like a rabbit in the headlights
And you’re shooting for the kill, the blood is boiling in
Your eyes, your eyes
Your eyes your eyes your eyes your eyes
Your eyes your eyes your eyes your eyes
Your eyes your eyes your eyes your eyes
Your eyes your eyes your eyes your eyes, yeah
I’m at the end of my rope
I’m feeling like I’m gonna choke
You can only take much before you break
And you have to try to give before you take
And take and take and take
And take and take and take and take
And take and take and take and take
And take and take and take and take
And take and take and take and take, yeah
Released in 2001, “The Convincer” is a gentle gem in the Nick Lowe catalog; an anniversary edition provides opportunity for rediscovery. Bandcamp New & Notable Sep 20, 2021