Brandi Carlile is an American singer-songwriter known for her powerful lyrics and heartfelt performances. Her song, “The Joke”, is a soulful anthem of resilience and hope that speaks to anyone who has ever felt like an outsider. It became an instant hit, reaching number one on the US Adult Alternative Songs chart and garnering four nominations at the 2019 Grammy Awards. Here is a look at the full lyrics of this inspiring song.
“The Joke” – A Brandi Carlile Song
The song is a powerful ballad that speaks to anyone who has ever felt like an outsider. It begins with a gentle guitar and Carlile’s sweet vocals singing the lines: “I was always told when I was young/ That you can be anything you want/ But they don’t tell you when you’re old/ That you can’t run away from the farce you’ve become.” The song then builds to a powerful chorus, where Carlile sings with a raw passion: “Oh, but I am still a joke, but I’m laughing along/ ‘Cause it’s better than crying/ I am still a joke, but I’m laughing along/ ‘Cause it’s better than dying.”
Full Lyrics of the Hit Single
Verse 1
I was always told when I was young
That you can be anything you want
But they don’t tell you when you’re old
That you can’t run away from the farce you’ve become
Chorus
Oh, but I am still a joke, but I’m laughing along
‘Cause it’s better than crying
I am still a joke, but I’m laughing along
‘Cause it’s better than dying
Verse 2
I was always told when I was young
That you can be anything you want
But they don’t tell you when you’re old
That you can’t run away from the farce you’ve become
Chorus
Oh, but I am still a joke, but I’m laughing along
‘Cause it’s better than crying
I am still a joke, but I’m laughing along
‘Cause it’s better than dying
Bridge
Oh, the joke is on me, yeah
The joke is on me, yeah
The joke is on me, yeah
The joke is on me
Outro
Oh, the joke is on me
The joke is on me
The joke is on me
The message of “The Joke” is simple but powerful: even when life is hard, we can find strength in laughter and resilience in the face of adversity. The poignant lyrics and Carlile’s passionate performance make it a song that will stay with listeners for years to come.