The Bluetones
"Zero Tolerance"

It was in those wonder-lust years, after I'd just left school,
That I first started to notice the change in everything.
I realised that the people I'd known all my life, (Take a long hard look,)
My family and friends were all just like strange little islands. (around the world you've helped to build.)
I didn't know who they were any more than I knew myself. (A Techni-colour wide-screen hell,)
It was at this point that I just started to drift. (beyond your window sill.)
A small balloon escaping from a child's hand. (Get over it, I'm only just getting my stride.)

Dig a hole for a broken man,
A man who could not cry,
Always a slave in a vacuous age,
Much passed him by.

I withdrew from all social activity quite dramatically,
Never seeing anybody unless I absolutely had to.
For the first 8 and a half months, (God-forsaken,)
I saw no-one except the guy who worked in the all-night petrol station. (belly-aching,)
And that suited me just fine. (low-life parasite.)
I dreamt of never having to go outside for any reason again, ever. (So much angry cynicism,)
Of being buried in my house with all my stuff, (so much angst and spite.)
Like a huge asbestos sarcophagus. (Get over it, I'm only just getting my stride.)

Dig a hole for a broken man,
A man who could not cry,
Always a slave in a vacuous age,
Much passed him by.

And I know what you're thinking,
“This guy needs to get out a bit more. Make contact.”
But that's not it. You see,
Since I've been away from other people,
Lots of things have improved in my life.
I'm a much better individual, thank you.
And now I've almost forgotten all the little things that used to bug me.
My appetites are healthy, and my mood is calm and even.
So go and pick on someone else.