What I Want by Muna Lyrics Meaning – Unleashing the Power of Self-Discovery and Liberation
Lyrics
I’m gonna take a shot
‘Cause that’s just what I want, want, want
What I want, want, want
And when I see my friend put something on her tongue
I’m gonna ask for one
‘Cause that’s just what I want, want, want
What I want, want, I want
I’ve spent way too, too, too many years not knowing what
What I wanted, how to get it, how to live it and now
I’m gonna make up for it all at once
‘Cause that’s, that’s just what I want
I want the full effects, I wanna hit it hard
I wanna dance in the middle of a gay bar
Ooh oh oh, that’s what I want
There’s nothing wrong with what I want
Yeah, yeah
I want the fireworks, I want the chemistry
I want that girl right over there to wanna date me
Ooh oh oh, that’s what I want
There’s nothing wrong with what I want
Yeah, yeah
She’s dancing to the song with all her leather on
I think we’ll get along
‘Cause she’s got what I want, want, want
What I want, want, I want
I’ve spent way too, too, too many years not knowing what
What I wanted, how to get it, how to live it and now
I’m gonna make up for it all at once
‘Cause that’s, that’s just what I want
I want the full effects, I wanna hit it hard
I wanna dance in the middle of a gay bar
Ooh oh oh, that’s what I want
There’s nothing wrong with what I want
Yeah, yeah
I want the fireworks, I want the chemistry
I want that girl right over there to wanna date me
Ooh oh oh, that’s what I want
There’s nothing wrong with what I want
Yeah, yeah
My hands are shaking, it’s psychosomatic
That’s how bad I want what I want
What I want, what I want
I’m gonna take it, I’m just gonna grab it
That’s how bad I want what I want
What I want, what I want
I’ve spent too, too, too many years
I’ve cried too, too, too many tears
But now I’m gonna make up for it all at once
‘Cause that’s, that’s just what I want
I want the full effects, I wanna hit it hard
I wanna dance in the middle of a gay bar
Ooh oh oh, that’s what I want
There’s nothing wrong with what I want
Yeah, yeah
I want the fireworks, I want the chemistry
I want that girl right over there to wanna date me
Ooh oh oh, that’s what I want
There’s nothing wrong with what I want
Yeah, yeah
In an era where anthems of self-acceptance are more necessary than ever, Muna’s ‘What I Want’ emerges as a resounding call to arms for the freedom of desire. The song isn’t just a bop that’s destined to fill dance floors; it’s a courageous declaration of identity, reconquering agency, and, above all, a celebration of one’s innermost desires.
But ‘What I Want’ is more than its alluring beat and catchy chorus. Through its pulsing melodies, it harbors a deeper resonance, speaking to the soul’s yearning for unabashed authenticity. As we dissect the layers of this vibrant track, we uncover the profound meanings enshrined in its lyrics and the powerful message it projects for listeners everywhere.
A Toast to Uninhibited Aspirations
The opening lines of ‘What I Want’ transport the listener into a space of recklessness, a sanctuary where inhibition has no dominion. The casual reference to drinking ‘a lot’, and partaking in the ephemeral thrill of experimentation is a rallying cry for freedom – Muna isn’t just talking about a night out; they’re endorsing a lifestyle of embracing what one craves without a second thought to the shadows of judgment.
Such a carefree disposition towards desires might seem trivial, a simple narrative of partying and social escapades, yet there’s a meaningful subtext here. The song channels the long-suppressed longing to just ‘be’ and encapsulates the essence of liberation in the act of indulgence. It’s a vivacious ode to the joy of claiming one’s wants and needs, no matter how small or grand.
Dismantling Years of Restraint
Muna does not shy away from acknowledging the struggle that comes before the celebration. The repeated line ‘I’ve spent way too, too, too many years
not knowing what’ elucidates a journey fraught with confusion, a universal narrative where individuals have grappled with understanding themselves amid societal expectations.
This is not just growth; it’s a reclamation of time lost to uncertainty and the pressures to conform. The determination to ‘make up for it all at once’ is not only a testament to personal evolution but also a powerful message that it’s never too late to embrace your true self and pursue what brings you fulfillment and happiness.
The Unmistakable Call to the Dance Floor
At its heart, ‘What I Want’ pulses to the beat of the LGBTQ+ haven — the gay bar. Beyond a space for dancing and revelry, Muna’s yearning to ‘dance in the middle of a gay bar’ symbolizes the refuge these venues have historically offered to queer individuals; a space where identities aren’t just tolerated but celebrated.
With their danceable hook and infectious rhythm, this track doesn’t just stay in the realm of personal narrative. It bridges individual and collective experiences, uniting listeners under a disco ball of solidarity. This is where personal liberation meets communal empowerment, and Muna ingeniously turns a soulful longing into a universal anthem.
The Unadulterated Pursuit of Love and Attraction
One of the most resounding aspects of ‘What I Want’ is its candid exploration of queer desire. Muna doesn’t just want the ephemeral ‘fireworks’ and ‘chemistry’; they’re demanding visibility and reciprocated affection, encapsulated by the line ‘I want that girl right over there to wanna date me’.
This line isn’t just wanton longing; it’s a revolutionary act of asserting LGBTQ+ romances in the mainstream narrative of love songs. It’s a powerful dissolution of heteronormative standards in music, carving out space for queer romances to be as loudly proclaimed and ardently pursued as their straight counterparts.
An Anthemic Pledge to Own One’s Desires
In a climactic crescendo, the vigorous repetition of ‘That’s what I want’ serves as the mantra of the song. The lines ‘My hands are shaking, it’s psychosomatic
That’s how bad I want what I want’ exemplify a visceral and emotive outpouring of longing, tying the physical to the psychological in a testament to deep-seated yearning.
Yet the beauty of ‘What I Want’ lies not in the intensity of wanting itself, but the unapologetic declaration to seize it. In its raw audacity, Muna transforms the narrative of desire from something to be tamed or hidden into a flag to be flown with pride, encouraging listeners to reach for everything they’ve ever craved with tenacity and fearlessness.
