People are shitty (Laci’s extended version)

Song Meaning

The lyrics paint a picture of intense frustration with the general populace, to the point of wanting to destroy the environment they inhabit. The opening lines, "People are shitty / They make me hate this city," immediately establish a bleak outlook. This sentiment is contrasted with a fleeting acknowledgment that "Some are very nice," but this is quickly overshadowed by the observation that many are engrossed in their phones, described as "silly device[s]." The narrator finds solace only in those who are "not real," suggesting a preference for fictional characters or perhaps an idealized version of humanity, as these figures make them feel "very good inside" while the rest inspire a desire to "hide." The core tension arises from the narrator's deep disappointment with human behavior, particularly their perceived lack of genuine connection and their tendency to disappoint even when given advice. The chorus, "people are shitty / they're not even pretty," escalates the negativity, linking superficial appearance to deeper flaws. The desire to "burn down this city" is a visceral reaction to this pervasive disillusionment. The repeated question, "even when I told you so / those emotions, you still show," points to a frustration with others’ predictable, negative reactions or inability to learn. A striking element is the narrator's use of pop culture references to articulate their feelings about people. Characters like "Todoroki, icy hot" and "Danny Phantom" are presented as superior to most humans, with the latter being "better than most" despite being a "ghost." This highlights a perceived deficiency in real people, who "do no good" and claim to be "misunderstood." The lyrics suggest that while perfection is unattainable, the narrator finds value in music, which makes humanity "worth it," offering a sliver of hope amidst the overwhelming negativity.