We Are Who We Are

Song Meaning

The lyrics paint a picture of cyclical loneliness and a resigned acceptance of personal flaws. The opening lines, declaring a "punk star" identity, feel like a defiant mask over a deeper sense of isolation. This is immediately undercut by the chorus's lament: "Nothing ever changes / Everything's the same, last summer." The narrator feels abandoned, stating, "Everyone stayed away but I'm coming home / I'm alone." The central tension lies in the struggle between a desire for connection and an inability to change ingrained patterns or perceptions. The narrator admits, "I can't change your mind about me," and questions, "Are you proud? say it loud, do you love me?" This yearning is met with a stark conclusion: "I won't resent you, we are who we are." This line suggests a fatalistic view, where individuals are defined by their unchangeable natures and past actions, leading to a cycle of "lie[s]" and taking "what I want." A striking craft element is the contrast between the narrator's perceived identity and their internal state. While claiming to be a "punk star" or a "singer" who "go[es] where I please," the repeated pleas in the refrain – "Call me back," "Hold my hand," "Let me sleep," "Let me breathe" – reveal a desperate need for comfort and validation. This juxtaposition highlights the hollowness of the external persona when faced with profound emotional vulnerability and the feeling of being a "nobody." Ultimately, the effectiveness of these lyrics stems from their raw honesty about self-sabotage and the difficulty of breaking free from one's own patterns. The narrator's inability to recall "why we falling apart" and the final acceptance of "we are who we are" resonate because they capture the frustrating inertia that can accompany personal relationships and self-perception. It’s a bleak but relatable acknowledgment of how past behaviors and inherent traits can dictate present circumstances, leaving the narrator feeling perpetually stuck.