Either Way

Song Meaning

The lyrics paint a picture of someone grappling with intense internal turmoil, seemingly detached from their surroundings. The opening lines place the narrator in a club, observing someone "disconnected from the world," yet the narrator's own actions are far more extreme: "I shot the sun out the sky." This dramatic image sets a tone of self-inflicted darkness, a deliberate extinguishing of light for reasons left unstated, hinting at a deep, possibly self-destructive, emotional state. The core tension revolves around a profound sense of isolation and a desperate, perhaps performative, attempt to appear "fine." The narrator admits to "cry a lot" and ending up "OD," a stark contrast to the dismissive "I told the bitch I'm fine." This internal conflict is amplified when another person calls them out as a "liar," forcing a confrontation with the self-deception. The repeated phrase "I'mma get it either way" in the hook suggests a fatalistic resignation, a belief that no matter the choices made or the support offered, the outcome will be the same, likely negative. A striking element is the narrator's self-identification with suffering, even invoking the name "Christ" in relation to their pain and nightly "burn." This isn't a plea for sympathy but a defiant assertion of their unique burden. The imagery of needing to "burn before I fly" and "die before I fly" creates a paradox: a destructive process is framed as a necessary precursor to transcendence or escape. The constant "oxygen, oxygen" chant in the bridge underscores a desperate need for air, for relief, highlighting the suffocating nature of their internal struggle. Ultimately, the effectiveness of these lyrics lies in their raw, unflinching portrayal of self-destruction and emotional exhaustion. The narrator doesn't seek easy answers or offer platitudes; instead, they present a stark reality of internal conflict, where even attempts to "feel ok" lead to an overdose. The fatalistic hook, coupled with the intense, almost religious imagery of suffering, creates a powerful, albeit bleak, portrait of someone trapped in a cycle of pain, believing their fate is sealed regardless of external circumstances.