DONT WANT IT by Lil Nas X Lyrics Meaning – Unmasking Vulnerabilities in the Pursuit of Happiness
Lyrics
La, la, la, la
If I say so, know they gon’ ride
I know G’s, and you know they ain’t nice
If I pop up, I’ma want it, but I get by
Tell the devil I can’t have him inside
Tell the reaper he don’t want it, he don’t want it
Oh, I know everything’s gonna be alright
Tell the reaper he don’t want it, he don’t want it
Oh, I know everything’s gonna be alright
I smoked myself to sleep, I’m sad
I think I’m feelin’ lonely
Took one too many shots last night
And I spent all my money
Started thinkin’, “Am I stupid to be funny
Over things that’s been hauntin’ me all my life?”
And I’m fuckin’ living proof that if you want it
You can have anything right before your eyes
And the award goes to Lil Nas X
Lil Nas X, Lil Nas X
Lil Nas X, Lil Nas X
The number one song on the Billboard Hot 100
“Call Me By Your Name,” by Lil Nas X
I wanted fame and I wanted riches
Wanted happiness, wanted forgiveness
Started focusin’ on all these wishes
Crazy how this shit come to fruition
I’ve done things in my past I’m sorry for
So please don’t hold me
Old people in my life should know that
I am not the old me
If I say so, know they gon’ ride (gon’ ride)
I know G’s, and you know they ain’t nice
If I pop up, I’ma want it, but I get by (get by)
Tell the devil I can’t have him inside
Tell the reaper he don’t want it, he don’t want it
Oh, I know everything’s gonna be alright
Tell the reaper he don’t want it, he don’t want it
Oh, I know everything’s gonna be alright
Whoa, whoa
Whoa, whoa
In a world where chart-topping tunes often skate on the veneer of glamour and surface-level satisfaction, Lil Nas X takes a detour into a more profound narrative with his track ‘DONT WANT IT’. The song serves as an introspective confession and a battle cry from the depths of becoming and un-becoming.
Within its catchy hooks and melodies lie a cavernous exploration of personal demons, triumphs, and the complex relationship with fame. As we dissect the lyrics, we uncover a mosaic of ambition, regret, self-discovery, and resilience that resonates with Lil Nas X’s journey and the collective human experience.
From Aspiration to Actualization – Lil Nas X’s Climb to the Top
Referencing his own Billboard Hot 100 hit, ‘Call Me By Your Name,’ Lil Nas X is not just name-dropping; he’s laying out his credentials. The repeated announcements of his accolades serve as a juxtaposition to the vulnerability expressed elsewhere in the song. It’s a boast that feels hollow in the context of his inner turmoil.
This stark contrast underscores the idea that success, as externally validated by awards and chart positions, doesn’t necessarily equate to personal fulfillment or absolve one’s internal struggles.
Peering into the Abyss – The Dark Side of Desire
Lil Nas X unfurls the darker layers of his psyche as he grapples with loneliness and the residue of his actions. The haunting admittance of smoking himself to sleep and feeling sad lays bare a truth many conceal—fame and visibility can amplify isolation rather than offering solace.
His mention of ‘people in my life should know that I am not the old me’ reveals an evolution, but also a plea for redemption and understanding. It speaks to the theme of transformation and the quest to detach from past selves in search of inner peace.
Dancing with Demons – Rejecting the Reaper and the Devil
The chorus becomes an anthem of self-affirmation, with Lil Nas X banishing the devil and the reaper—metaphors for inner darkness and death. It’s a powerful refusal to succumb to destructive thoughts and influences while navigating the tribulations of life.
Repeatedly insisting that ‘everything’s gonna be alright’ serves as a mantra to himself and his listeners. It’s a promise of hope amidst the cacophony of fears and uncertainties that dwell within.
The Hidden Narrative – Escaping the Siren Call of Temptation
Beneath the surface, ‘DONT WANT IT’ is a layered tale of rejecting harmful temptations. ‘If I pop up, I’ma want it, but I get by’ suggests an internal struggle against urges and a striving to overcome them. It’s an existential tug-of-war between desire and virtue.
Even with the trappings of fame, Lil Nas X seems to identify a looming emptiness that heedlessly indulging in every whim cannot fill. This speaks to the idea that self-control and the pursuit of deeper, more meaningful aspirations are what lead to genuine contentment.
Memorable Lines That Mirror Our Inner Battles
‘Started thinkin’, ‘Am I stupid to be funny over things that’s been hauntin’ me all my life?’ This candid contemplation exposes the shaky ground between self-deprecation and the humor often used to mask pain. It’s a line that resonates for its raw honesty and the universal act of laughing through one’s tears.
Lil Nas X finds a cadence of relatability in these lyrics that serve not only as his diary but also echo the internal dialogues many of us encounter. Faced with the reflectiveness that ‘DONT WANT IT’ inspires, one can’t help but admire the artistry and bravery via which Lil Nas X transforms personal plights into public poetry.
