[ ]   [ ]   [ ]                        [ ]      [ ]   [ ]
Jimmy Eat World — The Middle
Album: Bleed American
Avg rating:
7

Your rating:
Total ratings: 1813









Released: 2001
Length: 2:45
Plays (last 30 days): 3
Hey, don't write yourself off yet
It's only in your head you feel left out or looked down on
Just try your best
Try everything you can
And don't you worry what they tell themselves when you're away

It just takes some time
Little girl, you're in the middle of the ride
Everything, everything will be just fine
Everything, everything will be all right, all right

Hey, you know they're all the same
You know you're doing better on your own (On your own)
So don't buy in
Live right now
Yeah, just be yourself
It doesn't matter if it's good enough (Good enough)
For someone else

It just takes some time
Little girl, you're in the middle of the ride
Everything, everything will be just fine
Everything, everything will be all right, all right

It just takes some time
Little girl, you're in the middle of the ride
Everything, everything will be just fine
Everything, everything will be all right, all right

Whoo

Hey, don't write yourself off yet
It's only in your head you feel left out (Feel left out)
Or looked down on
Just do your best (Just do your best)
Do everything you can (Do everything you can)
And don't you worry what their bitter hearts (Bitter hearts)
Are gonna say

It just takes some time
Little girl, you're in the middle of the ride
Everything, everything will be just fine
Everything, everything will be all right, all right

It just takes some time
Little girl, you're in the middle of the ride
Everything, everything will be just fine
Everything, everything will be all right
Comments (117)add comment
My 2 sons turned me on to them in the early 2000's.  They are now 32 and 30. A great poppy band from Az.
. This lp "Bleed American" is a classic. Not a bad tune on it. I took them and my wife to see them live in Charlotte around 2010 at a smaller venue. They killed it. Their latest lp that came out 2019 is very good. They have really grown in sound. On one tune they almost sound like Tool.  Imagine that.......
This song got me through the trauma of divorce!
 springof63 wrote:


Here's a copy of a post of mine from 2015 (on 'Dead Angels' - by V.A.S.T.) where someone was complaining about their band name - had to go back & find it-
.
.
"For those of us who've ever had to actually come up with a band name, and then had to live with it, on the posters, in the gig guide of the local rag, on the backdrop, on the front head of your kick drum, on the only 4 t-shirts in existance, on the inevitable 'sign in the back of the car', etc etc i'd just like to point out that saying - "it seemed like a good idea at the time" usually doesn't cut it with people who haven't. I bet "VAST" came before 'Visual Audio etc' in the opposite of the way that say Big Audio Dynamite came up with theirs.
Former drummer in 'Ten O'Clock In The Afternoon', 'In Transit', 'As It Happens', 'Four Into One', 'Immoral', and 'WildRose'
retired (disillusioned).{#Cool}
(P.S. i forgot 'Tin Fish' - the damn fools who let me sing)"

For me it was usually a case of "We've got a gig!! We need a name. Now!"
And yea, to play live and to see those people dance, was, and still is, THE best feeling there is.


'Billy Bullock & the Broken Teeth' 
 Webfoot wrote:

Wow, all this time I thought this was a likable, fun little pop song. Thanks for setting me straight!


Made me 'up' it to 9

10 with a bullet
 garrettb wrote:

I have never been in a band, but for those who are / have been, I imagine it was one of the most defining / exhilarating parts of their life.
So when I come across a band with an unusual name, like these guys: Jimmy Eat World, I often wonder how they came up with the name - whether there was a discussion about it - did anyone ask "what the heck does that mean?" etc. Just curious.



Here's a copy of a post of mine from 2015 (on 'Dead Angels' - by V.A.S.T.) where someone was complaining about their band name - had to go back & find it-
.
.
"For those of us who've ever had to actually come up with a band name, and then had to live with it, on the posters, in the gig guide of the local rag, on the backdrop, on the front head of your kick drum, on the only 4 t-shirts in existance, on the inevitable 'sign in the back of the car', etc etc i'd just like to point out that saying - "it seemed like a good idea at the time" usually doesn't cut it with people who haven't. I bet "VAST" came before 'Visual Audio etc' in the opposite of the way that say Big Audio Dynamite came up with theirs.
Former drummer in 'Ten O'Clock In The Afternoon', 'In Transit', 'As It Happens', 'Four Into One', 'Immoral', and 'WildRose'
retired (disillusioned).{#Cool}
(P.S. i forgot 'Tin Fish' - the damn fools who let me sing)"

For me it was usually a case of "We've got a gig!! We need a name. Now!"
And yea, to play live and to see those people dance, was, and still is, THE best feeling there is.
.
PS (11 months later) - here's a taste of that - Four Into One - You Can't Always Get What You Want - Rolling Stones Cover
We all be chair dancin'
totally reminds me of the Knack
2000s power pop needs more love!
I have never been in a band, but for those who are / have been, I imagine it was one of the most defining / exhilarating parts of their life.
So when I come across a band with an unusual name, like these guys: Jimmy Eat World, I often wonder how they came up with the name - whether there was a discussion about it - did anyone ask "what the heck does that mean?" etc. Just curious.
Pure, perfect power pop.
I like it!
I like this track - I prefer the title track of this album though 👍
I always hear Elvis will be just fine!
Gave this bouncy tune a 7 for bringing back nostalgic, bouncy memories of high school 
 sjccroquet wrote:

Shirley Manson's band is pure and unadulterated: Garbage. This is kinda like Garbage, but adulterated with a less edgy male lead singer and a slightly more pop-y sound.


Ha! What an awesome reply! Well played sjc, well played. 

(As an aside I like the acoustic version Bill plays sometimes better)
Okay, now in order of expediency, instead of rating every song played on RP as a plus 7 I will only rate the unfortunate choices.  I'm targeting you Pearl Jam. ;)
I apologize to no one. I like this song. I made sure all three of my daughters listened to it. And we would dance to it like crazy people all over the house whenever it came on!
I appreciate it for what it is, an awesome pop song along the lines of my Sharon’s, video killed the radio star, my Sharona. Nothing less and nothing more. I love it.
 Shmelo wrote:
Pure. Unadulterated. Garbage.
 
Shirley Manson's band is pure and unadulterated: Garbage. This is kinda like Garbage, but adulterated with a less edgy male lead singer and a slightly more pop-y sound.
Great to exercise to. Suppose I should do that again...
is it good? yep it is. but is it a masterpiece? unfortunately
The bad news is, I suffered through seeing Jimmy Eat World and Taking Back Sunday live (didn't know what I was getting into).
The good news is, Mates of State opened!
 Shmelo wrote:
Pure. Unadulterated. Garbage.
 
I'm afraid you're mistaken. 
Taylor Knox power surfing on it, in his video. Unforgettable
Didn't William Shatner "sing" this one?
 Shmelo wrote:
Pure. Unadulterated. Garbage.
 

Well, at least it's unadulterated.
 Shmelo wrote:
Pure. Unadulterated. Garbage.

 
Wow, all this time I thought this was a likable, fun little pop song. Thanks for setting me straight!
8 )
The haters may deride, but this is one of the seminal pop-punk tunes of the early 00s. And for once, an absolutely upbeat, positive message. The memorable finger-twisting guitar solo is still fresh too.

Speed this up another 20 or 30 bpm, you have a fairly representative hardcore punk track, there's nothing wrong with the songcraft. 

Given the band's history and troubled relationship with their label a couple of years prior, this track's actually autobiographical but the message is universal. It's a cleverly written slice of pop punk. Nice to hear it again after so many years.
Same three chords used by Elvis, Buddy Holly, Every Velvet Underground song ever and so many more... Yet, people will dismiss this as junk against that "brilliance". Bullshit.  Just like with those artists' work, this is a great pop tune and has held up well.
 Cynaera wrote:
I love the infectious danceable beat to this, even now, after a zillion plays on both AM and FM radio here. It hasn't become an earworm yet, thank goodness! {#Dancingbanana}

 
{#Dancingbanana_2}
{#Dancingbanana_2}{#Bananajam}{#Drummer}
 Shmelo wrote:
Pure. Unadulterated. Garbage.

 
An opinion held by the pretentious. It's a fun upbeat song, get over yourself.
Like those before me, surprised to hear this on RP, but happy I did!
This album is actually pretty good. Listened to it a lot.
Perfect POP

 Image result for bubble gum gif
High art...No, fun tune...Yes
 Snorfalorpagus wrote:
Wasn't expecting to hear this on RP but pleasantly surprised.

 
...but that's part of the appeal of RP for me...I never know what to expect.

Fun and lively tune.


Pure. Unadulterated. Garbage.
Sounds like they are singing "elephant will be all right"
Wasn't expecting to hear this on RP but pleasantly surprised.
yes yes much better.. {#Cheesygrin} {#Cheers}
Sure, it's hooky crafty pop-rock, but it's STILL a really nice tune, I've always found irresistible. 80's throwback a little. RP, always surprising, never dull.

Pretty sexy/hot video for the song too:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oKsxPW6i3pM
 UltraNurd wrote:
For the Standard Teen Movie Song, it's pretty good.
 
Perfect comment. 

srbaker wrote:
I lived with a nymphomaniac who absolutely *loved* this song when it was popular on FM. 

Good times.
  
Actually this one's better. Green with envy here. 
Where's grungepuppy?  Now this is the Emo stuff that he loves so much!
Love the beat and the choppy choppy choppy choppy guitar. {#Bananajumprope}
I love the infectious danceable beat to this, even now, after a zillion plays on both AM and FM radio here. It hasn't become an earworm yet, thank goodness! {#Dancingbanana}
do your best 80's dancing now!
YES. YES. YES. such a fun tune.
Great positive well-crafted pop/rock tune.  A+
i am now ready to eat world ... {#Devil_pimp}
Good song, but Jimmy Eat World has many better songs. Need more Jimmy on RP!
Oh, Bill!!!

{#Heartkiss}
{#Dancingbanana}
I've always liked this song...a little surprised it's on RP, but I'm not complaining. I absolutely love the song "Sweetness" off of this CD...looks like it's not on here, so I may go try to add it to the LRC...


A little bit of mainstream every now and then is good.
Nice positive message for today's youth.
The little keyboard break gets me every time. Every time.  Makes my brain go happy.
Haven't heard it alot, and I like it alot though. a 8.
RPallday wrote:
I've always thought it sounds a lot like something Rick Springfield would have come out with in the 80's. I like this song.
Damning with faint praise.
I wish Bill would play "Work". It's as good, if not better than this one. And it dosen't get played nearly as much on FM. It's a perfect pop tune. Unforntunatly, my upload of it got THE BOOT.
Or "Lucky Denver Mint" for that matter!

lokiwolf wrote:
Played too much everywhere
I really dug it when it was new. Haven't heard it in years. Now it annoys the 'ell outta me. Go figure.
lokiwolf wrote:
Played too much everywhere
Ditto. Especially after the Tom Petty song, I had to check and make sure I was still listening to RP and hadn't accidentally switched to some local station. Bleah.
There is a giant billboard in my mind flashing "WTF?!" in twenty-foot-tall pink neon letters right now. That is the only way to describe my reaction to hearing this song on RP. (plus, it reminds me of middle school, and that's just weird)
lokiwolf wrote:
Played too much everywhere
I havent heard this lately at all - great song should be played more often - ha!
For the Standard Teen Movie Song, it's pretty good.
Played too much everywhere
stubbsz wrote:
It's a moot point these days because MTV really don't play music (although I hear MTV2 does)... However, don't be such a smart arse... I don't listen to a lot of radio stations... but I check in to see what they are playing and turn away cos I don't like it. See... I know what they play and I don't listen to them; not mutually exclusive although I am aware that I may be catching them at their worst when in fact they may play a ton of stuff that is just dreamy. Not.
Hey Stubs, If you'd like to check out a bit of public radio, go to XPN.org and listen live. It's radio from the University of Pennsylvania
Imkirok wrote:
Anyone know why the links on the bottom of the album page go to women's swimsuits?
Probably because they were posted 3+ years ago and have since changed.
Anyone know why the links on the bottom of the album page go to women's swimsuits?
This rocks.
I love this song!! Its so damn sweet and uplifting!! I just imagine some punk dad with his little pigtialed punk daughter both playing air guitar!!!
If you don't watch MTV or listen to top-40 radio, how do you know what they're playing.
It's a moot point these days because MTV really don't play music (although I hear MTV2 does)... However, don't be such a smart arse... I don't listen to a lot of radio stations... but I check in to see what they are playing and turn away cos I don't like it. See... I know what they play and I don't listen to them; not mutually exclusive although I am aware that I may be catching them at their worst when in fact they may play a ton of stuff that is just dreamy. Not.
This song always makes me smile - it\'s so hopeful and PERFECT after \"Message in a Bottle\" and \"Help\"!!!!
Always liked this song. Great, upbeat, catchy etc. Switched to XM radio in the car, so I managed to miss the apparent FM Radio saturation (I love technology). Love it!!
Where would we be without guilty pleasures?
Originally Posted by jbwiv: Can't really say I go for this sound typically, but the positivity expressed in this song warrants a 9 at the very least. Great pick-me-up song...great message. The world needs more songs like this. :D
I agree, don't like the song for its music but I really like to take the sentiments they express to heart. :)
Can\'t really say I go for this sound typically, but the positivity expressed in this song warrants a 9 at the very least. Great pick-me-up song...great message. The world needs more songs like this. :D
This song is pretty good, but the rest of the album is better. In fact, the album is one of the best pop-rock albums that I\'ve heard in AGES. \"The Middle\" may get a lot of Top 40 play (in fact I\'ll be glad when it fades away) but its popularity doesn\'t negate the quality of the song or the album. Jimmy Eat World is a rare gem in this genre. :D :p :D
"...help! I need somebody, Help! not just anybody..." what was it you were saying about fluffy pop songs?
Great pop structure. Always a good quick listen.
Booooooooooooo!!! But I know you\'re not perfect, and everyone\'s allowed to make mistakes.
Ya\' sing along with it, but feel guilty after.
Of all the Jimmy songs, why this one? Please play something from Clarity or Static Prevails...maybe For Me This Is Heaven or Just Watch The Fireworks?
JEW is always a treat. :D
Old, overplayed, pop fluff... next song please.
Originally Posted by laytin1119: I know this song gets its fair share of airtime from awful top 40 stations and that disgrace to music called MTV, but its a good song in spite of that. We're not that self-righteous that we scorn every song that is considered popular. I personally will not watch MTV, nor will I listen to a top 40 station, but that doesn't mean everything they play sucks, its just most of it. If Bill can pick out the few good ones and play them on RP, then we're all better off. We do need some new music, even if it happens to be mainstream, mixed in to keep us up to date. I'll get off my soap box now. Thanks
If you don't watch MTV or listen to top-40 radio, how do you know what they're playing. This song shouldn't sound over played to you- you should have probably only heard it a few times unless you have the album. Who cares. If a song's good and it makes you feel something, listen to it. Over-play it on your CD player. You not only need to get off your soap box. You need to get off the band wagon of other music snobs who claim they only listen to "oh so intelligent and original" rock. (That was in NO way a dis to RP! I love your variety!)
Not a bad tune. I don\'t mind hearing it here. Same line my boss gives me when I tell him about a problem.
BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!
my theme song. :)
despite my hate of mtv, i really like this song. hey, sometimes an actual good song slips by the censors.
Nothing too insightful, but upbeat, fun, and catchy. Nothing wrong with that.
Cool! A nice poppy song to lift my mood during a late-night at work. Reminds me of Matthew Sweet. Was surprised to click on here and see all the venomous comments. I\'ve never heard this song before -- guess that\'s cuz I rarely listen to commercial radio. Which begs the question, how do all the detractors know it is so overplayed on the radio/MTV unless they\'re listening? Hmmm... :)
Hey!! My 11 year old daughter listens to this song on her rather annoying radio station. Bill, what do you hear in this
one way to tell a true Jimmy Eat World fan? Whether their album is self-titled or called \'Bleed American.\' the real title of this album, is indeed, Bleed American.
The title expresses correctly where to position this song (or below).
I know this song gets its fair share of airtime from awful top 40 stations and that disgrace to music called MTV, but its a good song in spite of that. We're not that self-righteous that we scorn every song that is considered popular. I personally will not watch MTV, nor will I listen to a top 40 station, but that doesn't mean everything they play sucks, its just most of it. If Bill can pick out the few good ones and play them on RP, then we're all better off. We do need some new music, even if it happens to be mainstream, mixed in to keep us up to date. I'll get off my soap box now. Thanks
Perhaps staying out of American Eagle would be more beneficial to listeners than knocking a perfectly good song. What should be knocked however, are the commercial megalopoli that use the music to arouse crap-happy customers. If you don\'t like the image the stores portray, don\'t shop there. It\'s an easy fix.
Originally Posted by tropical_nightma: please folks...this is unfair what you're doing to this band. it's not their falt that mtv and carson have adopted them into their sick circle of commercialism. let me assure you, jimmy eat world deserves to be on this station, but this song is an unfair representation of what these guys are about. They're EMO and this song is (i agree) a bit too poppy, but no where near your AE image. try something off of Clarity...maybe you'll change your opinion.
well put you crazy tropical nightmare you. when you coming back home?
Any song you hear at the mall in American Eagle is below the standards of this Radio Station. And trust me, this is one of their favorites. . . Please dump it!
OH MY GAWD!!!! this is really really really far below RP's standards. this is nothing but the same cookie-cutter pop swill that drives me away from corporate radio. terrible. ps - just saw my earlier post below, I guess it just gets worse with each listen.
a guilty pleasure... but a pleasure nonetheless why fight it? :)
Originally Posted by Platypus: this sounds like corporate radio bunk. but it is just sooo damn catchy.
I know... It feels so Blink 182ish I am feeling guilty for enjoying it so much. :D
Originally Posted by gypsy222: I am kind of liking this song... but what does it sound like... this sounds like something really familiar....
this sounds like corporate radio bunk. but it is just sooo damn catchy.
cool. :oops:
I am kind of liking this song... but what does it sound like... this sounds like something really familiar....