Wiki
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Length
2:12
A tongue-in-cheek song about a disenchanted, drug-addicted loser.
In 2012, Elliott’s former record label Kill Rock Stars released the project "Alternate Versions From Either/Or", which included alternate lyrics to various songs off of Elliott’s 1997 "Either/Or" album—including an alternate version of “Ballad of Big Nothing”.
Centers around the oft-heard innocent phrase "you can do whatever you want to." But the innocent phrase of optimism is skewed by the reality that shapes Elliot's life. He thinks he has gone too far away, seen too many things, screwed up too many times and is angry and afraid. Could be about the desire to kick a drug habit - with the second use of "candy" - but not knowing the first thing about how to do it. All that Elliot sees is a patterned cycle that he doesn't know how to escape, so he just keeps on keeping on and becomes bitter at those who live with wide-eyed innocence. - Tubesocks via Song Meanings
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