Substance
Unveiling the Struggle: Substance by Champagne Sunday
Lyrics
You gotta be this, you gotta be that
You are expected to conform to certain expectations and standards.
You got to be happy, and you gotta be bad
The pressure to be both happy and rebellious is present.
You got to be something, but don't you ever be that
There's a demand to be something specific, but avoiding a particular quality.
You got to be someone who never looks back
Emphasizing the importance of moving forward without dwelling on the past.
But I can see I'm losing substance
The realization of losing one's essential qualities or character.
I can see I am wearing thin
Feeling emotionally and mentally depleted or exhausted.
I can see they're out to get me
Sensing a threat or conspiracy against the person.
I'm just a bag of bones, a bucket of blood, wrapped up in a see through skin
Describing oneself as a vulnerable and fragile entity covered in transparent skin.
Quit tellin' me what I gotta be
Rejecting external pressure to conform to expectations.
Quit tellin' me
Reiterating resistance to external influences.
You gotta be cool
The expectation to be cool or composed in challenging situations.
Got to be fresh
The need to maintain a fresh and positive image.
Don't let em bite you while you're showing your flesh
Warning against being vulnerable while exposing oneself.
You gotta be pretty (pretty) oh, but girl, that's never enough
Being pretty is emphasized but acknowledged as insufficient.
Got to keep smiling while you're calling their bluff
Remaining cheerful despite facing deception.
But I can see I'm losing substance
Reiteration of losing personal essence or identity.
I can see I am wearing thin
Continued expression of feeling emotionally depleted.
I can see they're out to get me
The perception of being targeted or persecuted.
I'm just a bag of bones, a bucket of blood, wrapped up in a see through skin
Repetition of the description of vulnerability and fragility.
And I know that war is waging for what little soul I have
Acknowledgment of an internal struggle for the soul.
Battle will be raging while I'm tied up and I'm gagged
Anticipation of a challenging battle while being constrained.
Yeah you may smile when I am looking
Observing others' reactions when the person is present.
When I'm gone, call me a bitch
An expectation of negative judgment when absent.
But when the devil is your drug dealer
Metaphorical reference to destructive habits or influences.
You scratch a 10-year itch
Highlighting the long-lasting impact of negative influences.
Quit tellin' me what I gotta be
Reiteration of resistance to external expectations.
Quit tellin' me
Continued emphasis on rejecting external pressure.
You got to take chances but you gotta be safe
Balancing the need to take risks with the importance of safety.
Got to be pleasant while they piss in your face
Maintaining a pleasant demeanor despite facing disrespect.
Man, you gotta keep drinking (drinking) from the poisonous cup
Advising to consume metaphorical poison cautiously.
Got to replenish while they gobble you up
Replenishing oneself while being consumed by external pressures.
But I can see I'm losing substance
Reiteration of losing personal essence or identity.
I can see I'm wearing thin
Reaffirming the sense of depletion or exhaustion.
I can see they're out to get me
Feeling targeted or persecuted intensifies.
Man, I can see I'll never win
Realizing the futility of winning against external pressures.
I can see, I can see I'm losing substance
Repetition of the acknowledgment of losing personal essence.
I can see I'm wearing thin
Continued expression of feeling emotionally depleted.
I can see they're out to get me
Perception of being targeted or persecuted persists.
I'm just a bag of bones, a bucket of blood, wrapped up in a see through skin
Repetition of the description of vulnerability and fragility.
Quit tellin' me what I gotta be, yeah
Final resistance against external expectations.
Woah, ya quit tellin' me what I got to be
Reiteration of rejecting external pressure.
What I gotta be
Emphasizing the individual's autonomy in defining themselves.
Quit tellin' me
Continued resistance to external influences.
Quit tellin' me
Final rejection of external expectations.
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