Song Meaning
These lyrics immediately drop the listener into a tense standoff, centered on a figure the speaker actively despises. There's a palpable sense of observation and judgment from "You," met with fierce rejection. The speaker declares, in no uncertain terms, "You what I never want to be," setting a clear boundary.
The tension escalates as "You" is depicted "photograph[ing] while load[ing] a sign," an image suggesting documentation or even propaganda against the speaker's perceived transgressions. This act of observation, coupled with "You wait, despise," frames "You" as a critical, perhaps controlling, presence. The speaker, meanwhile, acknowledges "We over stepping out of line," hinting at a deliberate rebellion against "You's" expectations or rules.
The core of the speaker's disdain crystallizes in the pre-chorus's stark repetition: "You what I never want to be." This isn't just dislike; it's a fundamental rejection of an entire way of being. The chorus then unleashes a torrent of direct accusations – "So shallow and useless," "You want to waste my time" – before a defiant pivot. The line "I'll bet you make them want it" is particularly sharp, suggesting "You" might be a master manipulator, influencing others towards superficial desires.
What makes these lyrics hit hard is their raw, unvarnished contempt and the speaker's fierce independence. There's no attempt to soften the blow; the "You" figure is unequivocally dismissed as trivial and time-wasting. The final "Well so what, you won't know" serves as a powerful mic drop, asserting the speaker's refusal to be defined or limited by this toxic presence. It's a visceral declaration of self-preservation against perceived negativity.