Due to unfortunate circumstances that are allegedly not your fault at all, youâve found yourself at yet another parole hearing. Previous instances havenât gone that well for you, so youâre considering spicing things up with a little song and dance. One of your favorite bands is Reel Big Fish, and they are known for their pragmatic lyricism that promotes second chances and level-headed emotional responses to lifeâs stressors. You should be warned that not all of the bandâs songs are appropriate for the occasion. Before you strap on your acoustic guitar and warm up your pipes, here are 25 songs from the third-wave legends that you should consider skipping. (Listen to the playlist while you read, click here)
25. âGood Thingâ
Itâs important to remember what this hearing is about. Youâre trying to reenter society and prove yourself capable of doing so. Your 10 year sentence is the opposite of a âgood thingâ and you probably donât want to suggest that you donât want it to end. This song will do exactly that.
24. âBig Starâ
Your delusions of grandeur might be part of the reason you thought you could get away with your crimes. If you actually were a big star, you might not even have to go through with this formality, but youâre not and you do. Sorry to break it to you, your band’s opening slot for that Specials cover band 10 years ago isnât going to get you out of this one or anything else.
23. âI Should Know By Nowâ
Stating that you should know means that you donât know. This is a bad look considering the whole point of this hearing is to demonstrate that you know itâs bad to knock over a Sheetz in a drunken stupor. This song is the equivalent of the shrug emoji and will suggest to the board that you intend to backslide the minute you get out of here. Skip it.
22. âI Know You Too Well To Like You Anymoreâ
Youâve never met a single person at this hearing. Well, you know Jeff because heâs a lifer and this isnât your first rodeo, but thatâs it. Given your unfamiliarity with most of those in charge, you should avoid making grand statements such as the chorus of this song.
21. âMaximum Swearing – Liveâ
First off, this isnât even a song and itâs weird that youâve memorized Aaron and Scottâs childish stage banter. Secondly, this is neither the time or place for even a little swearing, let alone maximum swearing. Grow up.
20. âAnother F.U. Songâ
Ugh. We literally just went over this, but I guess we have to drive the point home for you. The people on this board are professionals and they are expecting a certain level of respect. You get what you give, and no one here will appreciate the suggestion of fucking themselves with a rusty poll. Maybe Jeff will because heâs kinda freaky, but even he knows not to bring it up at a time like this.
19. âYour Girlfriend Sucksâ
The relationship statuses of the parole board members is neither here nor there. Even if it were appropriate to give them a heads up that their partners are awful, how would you even know? Skip this one. The board doesnât even know about your previous issues with stalking, so donât give them the bait to look into it.
18. âThe Good Old Daysâ
Itâs natural to be nostalgic for a youth gone past, but your old days were never good. Itâs important to express hope for your future at this hearing. Saying you want to go back to the mid-nineties when you were arguably at your worst is bound to get your parole denied and your sentence lengthened.
17. âRock nâ Roll Is Bitchinââ
Rock nâ Roll is pretty bitchinâ. Weâre not here to argue that fact. While you might think reminding the board of the great American tradition that is hard rock will score you some points, itâs not really the right tone to set. If Reel Big Fish had a song called âWhile I Was Rowdy In My Past, I Prefer to Listen to NPR Now,â that might grease the wheels. Sadly, they donât, so letâs just move on.
16. âCall Youâ
Considering two of your exâs still have active restraining orders against you, itâs probably not a great idea to whip out a tune that suggests you canât think of anything but calling them up. Playing this one is just going to make the board think youâre dead set on returning to your old problematic ways. Also, itâs over, man. Just move on. Valerie certainly has.
15. âMy Imaginary Friendâ
Mental stability is something your parole board will be looking into very carefully in your case. Therefore, itâs probably not a great idea to talk about a friend that is a figment of your imagination fucking you over at every turn. Have you ever considered that the real imaginary friend might be yourself? Sorry to blow your mind, weâre just trying to help.
14. âLive Your Dreamâ
The boardâs dream is that you will reenter society as a changed and redeemed person. You should be grateful to even be here. Donât blow it by suggesting that you donât appreciate the opportunity. Itâs a brat move, and not in the trendy way that makes you look cool.
13. âYou Donât Knowâ
While it may be true that the parole board doesnât know quite what itâs like to be you, you absolutely DO need their opinion. Chances are you need it to be a good one too. Youâll have a better chance at getting this if you donât tell them to fuck off and shove their heads back up their asses.
12. âEveryone Else Is An Assholeâ
Itâs a good thing to convince the board that you are accountable for your actions and have learned from your previous mistakes. The second you start this song up, it will be clear that you have done neither. It may be a hard pill to swallow, but sometimes you are in fact the asshole.
11. âPissed Offâ
While you may be feeling a flurry of emotions at this thing, itâs important to keep a calm demeanor. You wonât get far if you call the parole board cheaters, liars, thieves, and other colorful terms. These accusations are not only unfounded, but could apply to yourself. If youâre not careful, some people in the room will see your rendition of this one as an inward projection. Not in a good way, mind you.
10. âEverything Is Coolâ
Anger management has always been difficult for you. Youâve made great strides at correcting this, and you might want to give the board a musical interpretation of your journey. Considering the rapid mood shifts of this song, you should probably look elsewhere. Though likely to be moved by your performance, the board will still have problems with the lyrics and doubt your progress. Skip it.
9. âValerieâ
Itâs never a good idea to publically air a grudge in a highly dramatic fashion. Itâs an even worse idea to do so in front of people who are tasked with deciding your societal faith. Maybe stray away from a song with lyrics that blame your ex by name for all of your woes.
8. âYour Guts (I Hate âEm)â
Even if you hate every member of the parole board with a passion, you must do your best to keep this to yourself. Jeff will be so hurt by this song heâll end the hearing prematurely, leaving you to a life behind bars. And Jeffâs like, a really nice guy. Why would you want to do that to him?
7. âEverybodyâs Drunkâ
One of the reasons youâre in this predicament is the fact that your last house party somehow managed to cause millions of dollars in property damage to your surrounding neighbors. Everyone loves a good time, but you might not want to seem like youâre bragging about all of those broken windows and totaled cars.
6. âThe Bad Guyâ
The board is looking for signs that youâve renounced your past ways and have cultivated a more wholesome personality. Theyâre also probably looking for remorse. Unless you plan on changing the lyrics in a Weird Al meets sincere type of parody version, you should probably avoid singing things like âIâm the bad guyâ and âIâm not sorry I let you down.â
5. âSay Tenâ
The closing lines of this track are as follows: âIâd eat people if it was legal.â While you might think acknowledging that cannibalism is illegal will get you a pass on this one, the board will probably be concerned you brought it up at all.
4. âDrunk Againâ
You managed to keep your toilet wine hustle a secret up until this point. Quite frankly, the board already had their suspicions given your red teeth and your intermittent blindness. The last thing you need right now is an admission of intoxication. Try not to poke the bear here by playing this one.
3. âDrinkinââ
While weâre on the subject, part of your proposed parole agreement is that you will stay at least 100 yards away from any liquor stores or bars. Therefore, we donât recommend loudly proclaiming your plan to break that provision as soon as your feet touch the outside. The world isnât letting you down, you are.
2. âBeerâ
During your last bender, you passed out on the floor of a TJ Maxx. If we remember correctly, that certainly didnât stop anyone from bothering you. Best not to conjure up this image or threaten to do it again at this hearing. This is more about demonstrating growth.
1. âSkatanicâ
Absolutely not. You might be feeling the need to express your desire to be liked, or even loved, by the parole board. Perhaps you want to show them how passionate you are about proving yourself worthy. These can both be good things, but you might not want to suggest that youâll stalk them until they do. You certainly donât want to say things like âIâm gonna make you love me no matter what you sayâ. Youâre already in enough hot water, donât be a terrifying creep on top of it.
Listen to the playlist: