Rapid Eye Movement

Song Meaning

The narrator opens by dismissing "rapid eye movement" as boring, but immediately qualifies that this is a subjective take. This sets up a core tension: the conflict between personal taste and objective appraisal. The lyrics then pivot to a broader commentary on individuality versus conformity, using the moon's phase as a metaphor for differing preferences. This initial framing establishes a defiant stance against external judgment. The central conflict emerges as the narrator grapples with societal expectations and the pressure to conform. Phrases like "you have to learn the rules" and "Grow up just like us" highlight the push for assimilation. The narrator's response, "Shit I'm a crazy fool cool without your rules," is a direct rejection of this pressure, embracing a self-defined identity that embraces perceived flaws. The repeated chorus, "Because it's a free world we're living in / So what I say is my opinion, not necessarily yours," acts as an anthem for personal autonomy. This refrain underscores the lyrical theme that individual perspectives are valid, even if they diverge from the norm. The subsequent lines, "Falling was against the rules everything is breaking / Don't you bend or break the rules everyone is mistaken once," suggest a world where rigid rules lead to inevitable failure and widespread error, further justifying the narrator's non-conformity. Ultimately, the effectiveness of these lyrics lies in their blunt assertion of individuality. The writing crafts a persona that is unapologetically itself, finding power in rejecting imposed structures and embracing subjective truth. The repeated emphasis on opinion and personal perspective creates a resonant message for anyone who has felt pressured to fit a mold, celebrating the freedom to be "mistaken once" on one's own terms.