Song Meaning
The lyrics paint a picture of someone trying to navigate the noise of external commentary and internal anxieties. There's a clear tension between the desire to ignore or "concentrate on something not so bothering" and the persistent reality that these things "are bothering." The opening lines immediately establish a sense of caution, suggesting that words have a power to shape identity and reveal truths about ourselves, even if unintentionally. This sets up the core conflict: the struggle to maintain inner peace when external influences feel inescapable.
The central tension lies in the narrator's internal battle against intrusive thoughts or external criticisms that they wish to dismiss. They acknowledge a "strange effect that bullshit has on me," indicating a vulnerability to negativity. The repeated phrase "Commentate on something not so bothering / And its bothering" perfectly encapsulates this struggle, highlighting the futility of trying to avoid what ultimately affects them. This isn't about external events, but the internal reaction to them, a feeling of being perpetually unsettled.
The craft here is in the direct, almost conversational tone that belies a deeper psychological unease. The simple, repetitive structure of the chorus-like section mirrors the cyclical nature of the narrator's thoughts. The shift from "you" to "I" ("You recognize yourself" to "And I'm mad too") suggests a shared experience or perhaps a dawning self-awareness of their own reaction. The plea "Why don't we just sound it out / In the hopes that it restores our sanity" offers a potential, albeit uncertain, path toward resolution, emphasizing a desire for clarity and calm.
Ultimately, the effectiveness of these lyrics comes from their raw honesty about the difficulty of maintaining composure in the face of persistent, bothersome thoughts or comments. The narrator isn't offering grand solutions, but articulating a relatable human experience of being caught in a loop of anxiety. The simple, almost resigned repetition of "But it's bothering" leaves the listener with a potent sense of unresolved, yet understood, internal friction.