Song Meaning
The lyrics paint a stark picture of pervasive societal yearning. A relentless "everybody wants to be another" suggests a widespread dissatisfaction with the self, a constant chase for an idealized, perhaps unattainable, version of existence. This isn't about individual ambition; it's a collective impulse, a shared desire to shed one's own skin for something or someone else. The repetition hammers this point home, creating a sense of inescapable, cyclical longing.
This desire is coupled with an equally strong, yet perhaps contradictory, urge to "know." What is it that everyone wants to know? It could be the secret to that other life, the validation of belonging, or simply the answer to the question of their own inadequacy. The lyrics imply that the pursuit of being 'another' is intrinsically linked to a quest for understanding, a desperate attempt to grasp what makes others seem more complete or fulfilled.
The sheer repetition of "everybody wants to be another" functions as a sonic manifestation of this collective consciousness. It’s a chant, an anthem for the unfulfilled, highlighting a cultural pressure to conform or to achieve a certain status. The escalating "everybody, everybody" at the end suggests this feeling is not just widespread but intensifying, a growing tide of discontent that threatens to overwhelm individual identity.