What Do You Want of Me?

Song Meaning

The lyrics present a raw, almost exasperated plea directed at someone whose actions seem baffling and self-destructive. The narrator questions the subject's relentless pursuit of an unattainable ideal, describing them as marching through a dream "covered with glory and rusty old tin." This imagery powerfully contrasts the perceived heroic aspiration with a harsh, unglamorous reality, suggesting a disconnect between internal vision and external perception. The repeated question, "What do you want of me?" underscores the narrator's confusion and perhaps a sense of being burdened by the subject's peculiar quest. The central tension lies in the narrator's inability to comprehend the subject's motivations, particularly their solitary struggles and seemingly futile efforts. The subject is depicted as rushing into the world "all alone," engaging in "mad battles that aren't your own," and battering "at walls that won't break." This paints a picture of someone fighting for causes or ideals that are not only isolating but also fundamentally unyielding, leading the narrator to question the very foundation of their beliefs and actions. A striking element is the narrator's admission of being unable to join the chorus of mockery directed at the subject. While acknowledging that the subject is "laughed at wherever you go," the narrator confesses, "I cannot laugh with the rest." This reveals a complex emotional response: a mixture of bewilderment and a grudging, perhaps unwilling, empathy that prevents them from fully participating in the general derision. It suggests a deeper, unarticulated connection or a recognition of something genuine, however misguided, in the subject's behavior. Ultimately, the effectiveness of these lyrics stems from their directness and the palpable frustration they convey. The repeated, almost incantatory questioning, coupled with vivid, contrasting images of ambition versus decay, creates a compelling portrait of a misunderstood or self-deceiving individual. The narrator's own internal conflict—their inability to laugh along with others—makes their plea for understanding and their demand to know "What do you want of me?" resonate with a profound sense of personal bewilderment and emotional investment.