I don’t really remember writing this song, although I have a sneaking suspicion that it was another one of those happy accidents: I started playing the verse progression at practice, Don fell in on the drums, and Sam and Travis did the same. I remember singing “You fool me once, you fool me twice, you fool me every single time” and once it was in the air in front of me, it kind of stuck. Songwriting can be as simple as that sometimes. After a few passes around the verse, I launched into a chorus that was—at the time—from something else, but from what, I can’t remember.
“Cashing In” is a good example of why it’s difficult to every really say what songs are written about, as though it’s always one thing. The verses, at least, are about singing that first line, liking it, and then writing the rest of the song to fit, thematically at least. The chorus, however, is completely different. Where the verses are about—obviously—how easy it is to get duped by the same bullshit over and over again, whether in a relationship or a friendship or whatever, the chorus is about doing wrong to someone else. The first time we played the song live, at the Khyber in January or so of last year, I suffixed the song with “that song’s about blacking out” and everyone in the audience cheered. So I don’t think I have to explain all that much, at least not to our fans.
you fool me once, you fool me twice
you fool me every single time
I’ve had enough. what happened to
the sugar and the spice in you?
we’ve always known just how we trend
will it ever really end?
that don’t change what happens next:
we destruct as we connect
as much as I remember, I still forget
and for all that I’ve done wrong, I know I’m not done yet
so for all future transgressions
I’ll write a blank check
and hope you never wind up cashing in
I had you once, I had you twice
yeah, I could have you any time
that’s not enough, and now we know
and so I think it’s time we let go
as much as I remember, I still forget
and for all that I’ve done wrong, I know I’m not done yet
so for all future transgressions
I’ll write a blank check
and hope you never wind up cashing in
you fool me once, you fool me twice
you’d think I’d catch on
well, I might
as much as I remember, I still forget
and for all that I’ve done wrong, I know I’m not done yet
so for all future transgressions
I’ll write a blank check
and hope you never wind up cashing in
