Meaning of "Nothin'" by Reel Big Fish

The lyrics of "Nothin'" capture the feeling of giving your all and still coming up empty-handed, regardless of the effort put in. The repetition of "I did all that I could; I got nothin', nothin'" highlights the struggle and disappointment of not achieving the desired outcomes. The protagonist's frustration with both external factors blaming someone else for their failures is palpable throughout the song. Eventually, the protagonist reaches a breaking point where they declare that they no longer care, signaling a sense of resignation and emotional exhaustion. This sense of apathy can be seen as a defense mechanism to protect oneself from the pain of repeated failures.