The lyrics of Hootie & The Blowfish's song "Answer Man" express the frustration and disillusionment of a person who is tired of listening to someone else's words and facing the consequences of their mistakes. The protagonist is no longer willing to follow blindly and feels empty inside, as there's nothing left of the other person. Time seems to have changed their thoughts, and although the protagonist is alive and thriving, the other person seems to be drowning. The protagonist decides they can't be the other's answer and doesn't want to follow them into their cloud of uncertainty and mistakes. They're tired of living and learning from the other's missteps and feeling sick of their own mind, which perceives them as a shining light in the middle. The chorus is a plea for the other person to open their eyes and see where they currently sleep and live. The protagonist hopes they never call it home, as they're bound to live and die in it. The other person accepts that's life, but the protagonist declares they'll still be there, indicating their unwavering support. Overall, "Answer Man" is a song about breaking away from toxic relationships and taking charge of one's life. It's a call to acknowledge the role we play in our lives and the importance of making our own decisions and learning from our own mistakes, instead of blindly following someone else's lead.
