That’s Me Trying

Song Meaning

William Shatner's "That's Me Trying" isn't just a song; it's a raw, almost painfully awkward, glimpse into the fractured psyche of a man attempting reconciliation with a daughter he's clearly failed. The song, punctuated by the melancholic chorus sung by Ben Folds and Aimee Mann, becomes a masterclass in repressed emotion and the desperate, often misguided, attempts at connection. Shatner's delivery, a spoken-word style that borders on stream-of-consciousness, perfectly embodies the hesitant, stumbling nature of someone wading back into a relationship after years of silence. His character's vulnerability is jarringly human. He's not seeking forgiveness so much as a clean slate, a chance to rewrite history, even if it's built on a foundation of denial. The lyrical imagery is starkly relatable – the library phone book, the vague recollections of her age, the forced casualness of suggesting pizza and beer. The true brilliance of "That's Me Trying" lies in its unflinching portrayal of flawed humanity. The lyrics are a tightrope walk between genuine remorse and a self-serving desire to alleviate guilt. The father's request to avoid 'bad stuff' and 'topics that won't bug us' speaks volumes about his inability to confront his past actions. Proposing a book club as a means of connection feels both absurd and deeply poignant, a symbol of his awkward attempt to bridge the emotional gap through intellectual engagement. His aversion to 'thrillers' and disinterest in knowing about grandchildren or where he went wrong are defense mechanisms, shielding himself from the potential pain of confronting the consequences of his absence. Ultimately, the song meaning of "That's Me Trying" resonates because it taps into the universal human desire for connection, even when burdened by past mistakes. It's a song about the messy, imperfect nature of families, the enduring power of hope, and the courage, or perhaps the delusion, it takes to try again. The repeated chorus serves as a haunting reminder of the effort involved in mending broken relationships, the persistent 'buzz' of hope amidst the years of silence. Shatner's collaboration with Folds and Mann elevates the track, transforming it into a poignant exploration of familial reconciliation, or perhaps, the impossibility of it.