Meaning of "Petty Problems" by Defiance, Ohio

The lyrics of "Petty Problems" delve into the tendency of individuals to become self-absorbed and oblivious to the larger problems in the world. The song starts by painting a picture of people in Columbus shopping on the first official day of war. Despite the gravity of the situation, the narrator highlights how easy it is for people to be oblivious and focused on their own lives as they go about their daily routines. The line, "It's so easy being self-absorbed inside of 80 different stores and coffee shops," signifies the endless distractions and materialistic nature of our society.

The chorus of the song emphasizes the triviality of personal problems. The narrator questions whether their own problems are all in their head and expresses the realization that their issues aren't actually that bad. They appear to be consumed by the things they don't have and are distracted from the bigger, more significant problems in the world. The line, "Our petty problems we add them up and we dwell on them half of the day," underscores the time wasted fixating on minor issues that ultimately hinder progress.

Additionally, the lyrics sarcastically describe these petty problems as "so American," implying that this self-centeredness is a common trait within American society. It highlights the tendency to prioritize personal concerns over larger societal and global issues. The line, "so caught up in our own little worlds," further emphasizes this notion.

Overall, "Petty Problems" serves as a critical commentary on the self-absorbed nature of society and the harmful effects of obsessing over insignificant personal problems while neglecting the more pressing issues in the world.