Expert: Kristen - 10/6/2004

Question
What is "Pay for what you get" about?

Answer
One song can mean many different things.  Personally, I have a few ideas as to what this song may be about.  In the past, Dave has mentioned an old girlfriend of his that he dated for many years and who he asked to marry him many times and each time she said no.  Some people think this song is about how Dave's lover left him and how no one knows the pain he's feeling.  He had a great time with her, but now he has to pay up and he lost her.  Another possibility is that this song is about a man who's wife had cancer and was dying - all of the people asked how she was and showed no care for the man and the man 'lost his mind' from going through all of that.  This could relate to the fact that Dave's father died of cancer.  This song could also be about the tragedy of Dave's sister, Anne, who died at the time this song/album was released, and he went crazy from all the stuff that people go through when death happens so close to them.  She was killed by her husband, who then killed himself.  I hope these ideas have helped you!  Thank you for your question!