WHAT HAVE WE DONE

Song Meaning

The track opens with a raw, immediate demand for material wealth and instant gratification. The narrator is focused on tangible assets like "diamonds in the bag" and "cash," rejecting slower, more conventional methods like "checks." This sets a tone of urgent desire, a hunger for immediate success and luxury, as evidenced by the mention of a "'Rari" and the declaration of being "just getting started" despite already being "famous." The song then pivots to a more introspective, conflicted state, questioning the consequences of these desires. The narrator admits to "tellin' you lies 'til we both forgetting what the truth is" and grapples with a sense of living "like I'm dead." There's a palpable tension between the pursuit of external success – "success, money, them wons and dollars" – and the internal cost, a struggle to escape "the past" and resist "temptations." This internal conflict is amplified by the contrast between the narrator's impulsive, hedonistic urges and a partner who offers "endless understanding" despite being hurt. The lyrics suggest a pattern of self-sabotage and emotional evasion, where the narrator seeks escape in "stupid movies" and "lucid dreams" rather than confronting the "pain hidden by perfume." The repeated question, "What have we done?" underscores a growing realization of the damage caused by this lifestyle. The effectiveness of these lyrics lies in their unflinching portrayal of this duality. The initial braggadocio about wealth and fame clashes sharply with the later vulnerability and self-recrimination. This creates a compelling narrative of someone caught between ambition and self-destruction, where the pursuit of pleasure leads to a hollow existence and a questioning of their own actions and their impact on others.