Ballad of Big Nothing

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

[Verse 1] Throwing candy out to the crowd Dragging down the main The helpless little thing with the dirty mouth Who's always got something to say You're sitting around at home now waiting for your brother to call I saw him down in the alley, having had enough of it all [Chorus] Said, "You can do what you want to whenever you want to You can do what you want to, there's no one to stop you" [Verse 2] All spit and spite, you're up all night and down every day A tired man with only hours to go just waiting to be taken away Getting into the back of a car for candy from some stranger Watching the parade with pinpoint eyes full of smoldering anger [Chorus] You can do what you want to whenever you want to You can do what you want to there's no one to stop you Now, you can do what you want to whenever you want to (Oh yeah) Do what you want to whenever you want to (Oh yeah) Do what you want to whenever you want to Though it doesn't mean a thing Big nothing