The Best Damn Thing

(Rick Springfield/Matt Bissonette)

You’re the best damn thing and I’m the lucky one 

Gave you a reason to walk out on me that night

And go looking for Mr. Right

Cos I sure looked like Mr. Wrong

A deer in the headlights

I stood there and lied made a ghost town a part of you

Sat there and cried while I shut down the heart of you

Couldn’t decide if the end was the start of you

I shut my mouth and waited

In the mess that I’d created

Write your name in the sky for the world to see

Cause you’re the best damn thing that ever happened to me

We’re still standing now, you didn’t cut and run, ooh

I was crying on the beach by the raging sea

Just a small town broken down refugee

Holier than thou, I caused the damage done 

You’re the best damn thing and I’m the lucky one 

My mad season as vain as a barroom fight

Remote as a satellite

I was out of touch and out of time

Too long in the spotlight

So incomplete that I burned something beautiful

Out on the street I was walking delusional

Your body heat moved something immovable

I closed my eyes and prayed, yeah

From the mess that I had made

Write your name in the sky for the world to see

Cause you’re the best damn thing that ever happened to me

We’re still standing now, you didn’t cut and run, ooh

I was crying on the beach by the raging sea

A broken down battleground refugee

Holier than thou, I caused the damage done

You’re the best damn thing and I’m the lucky one

I’m the lucky one

I’m the lucky one

I’m the lucky one

I know that it hurt and sorry, don’t even do it

Short pleated skirt and I jumped, yeah, I know I blew it

Threw me a lifeline I’m sticking like glue to it

Held my breath and waited

From the mess that I’d created

Gonna write your name

Gonna write your name

Gonna write your name

Gonna write your name

Write your name in the sky for the world to see

Cause you’re the best damn thing that ever happened to me

We’re still standing now, you didn’t cut and run, ooh

I was crying on the beach by the raging sea

Just a small town broken down refugee

Holier than thou, I caused the damage done

You’re the best damn thing and I’m the lucky one 

According to US

“The Best Damn Thing” is a bit of a downer but it clearly comes from the heart.  And for anyone who has relationship regrets, this song surely hits close to home.  I do think “The Best Damn Thing” qualifies as a love song, especially given the opening line, “you’re the best damn thing and I’m the lucky one.”

This song is the story of a broken man, sorry for continuously hurting the woman he loves.  This man clearly knows where he’s gone wrong and it seems like he wants to fix his mistakes.  He’s finally realized (as clichéd as it may sound) how lucky he is.

“The Best Damn Thing” is strong lyrically.  I can actually feel this guy’s pain.  It’s not a song that makes me feel sad.  Instead, it makes me feel hopeful. 

Laurie Bedigian