Do That Anymore

Song Meaning

Zola Jesus's "Do That Anymore" is less a song and more a primal scream echoing through the ruins of lost freedoms. The repetition of the title phrase isn't just a lyrical hook; it's a dirge, a lament for a past where agency felt possible. The opening lines paint a picture of liberation now vanished: "Used to be free / Run through the streets but it's no use." That 'no use' is the crux of the song’s meaning – a crushing realization that past joys and expressions of freedom are now futile gestures. The river flowing and things coming and going usually symbolize life's natural progression, but here, it's all overshadowed by this sense of imposed restriction. It suggests a world moving forward, but with humanity shackled, unable to participate fully. The song’s starkest moment arrives with the lines: "What can anyone say / When our mouths are all taped?" This isn't subtle; it's a direct confrontation with censorship, self-censorship, and the silencing of dissent. The frustration is palpable, amplified by the admission that "we can't change / Anything in this damn place." This speaks to a deeper psychological state – learned helplessness. The feeling that resistance is not only dangerous but ultimately pointless. The 'Eh, eh, eh, eh, eh' that follows is a guttural release, a sound of pure, unadulterated despair. Ultimately, "Do That Anymore" functions as an anthem for the disillusioned. It's a track for those who recognize the encroaching walls of societal control, even as they feel powerless to push back. The cyclical nature of the lyrics, the constant return to that central, despairing phrase, mirrors the feeling of being trapped in a loop, unable to escape the confines of a world where expression is stifled and action feels futile. The song's power lies in its unflinching portrayal of this emotional and societal prison, a haunting reminder of what's been lost and a chilling premonition of what might still be taken away.