The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
(I know you're trying)
Everything and nothing always haunts me
I know you're trying, I know you're trying
Waiting for your moment to fall on me
I saw you trying, I saw you trying
Maybe if you let me be your lover
Maybe if you tried, then I would not bother
Telling me that basically you're not looking out for me
Everything is true to me, never words where you would see
Maybe if you let me be your lover
Maybe if you tried, then I would not bother
(I know you're trying)
(I know you're trying)
Hurts so bad, I don't know what you want from me
You know I'm trying, you know I'm trying
And now we're hanging on by a heartbeat
You know I'm trying, I was always trying
Maybe if you let me be your lover
Maybe if you tried, then I would not bother
Telling me that basically you're not looking out for me
Everything is true to me, never words where you would see
Maybe if you let me be your lover
Maybe if you tried, then I would not bother
I've been hating everything, everything that could have been
Could have been my anything, now everything's embarrassing
Acting like it's nothing, such a bore
I saw the truth and I just can't ignore
You're trying to hold the heart that you once tore, oh
Say I tried to give my best before
You wouldn't have the chance to give me more
You're only one step closer to the door
Maybe if you let me be your lover
Maybe if you tried, then I would not bother
Telling me that basically you're not looking out for me
Everything is true to me, never words where you would see
Maybe if you let me be your lover
Maybe if you tried, then I would not bother
I've been hating everything, everything that could have been
Could have been my anything, now everything's embarrassing
Maybe if you let me be your lover
Maybe if you tried, then I would not bother
Telling me that basically you're not looking out for me
Everything is true to me, never words where you would see
Maybe if you let me be your lover
Maybe if you tried, then I would not bother
I've been hating everything, everything that could have been
Could have been my anything, now everything's embarrassing
Everything and nothing always haunts me
I know you're trying, I know you're trying
Waiting for your moment to fall on me
I saw you trying, I saw you trying
Maybe if you let me be your lover
Maybe if you tried, then I would not bother
Telling me that basically you're not looking out for me
Everything is true to me, never words where you would see
Maybe if you let me be your lover
Maybe if you tried, then I would not bother
(I know you're trying)
(I know you're trying)
Hurts so bad, I don't know what you want from me
You know I'm trying, you know I'm trying
And now we're hanging on by a heartbeat
You know I'm trying, I was always trying
Maybe if you let me be your lover
Maybe if you tried, then I would not bother
Telling me that basically you're not looking out for me
Everything is true to me, never words where you would see
Maybe if you let me be your lover
Maybe if you tried, then I would not bother
I've been hating everything, everything that could have been
Could have been my anything, now everything's embarrassing
Acting like it's nothing, such a bore
I saw the truth and I just can't ignore
You're trying to hold the heart that you once tore, oh
Say I tried to give my best before
You wouldn't have the chance to give me more
You're only one step closer to the door
Maybe if you let me be your lover
Maybe if you tried, then I would not bother
Telling me that basically you're not looking out for me
Everything is true to me, never words where you would see
Maybe if you let me be your lover
Maybe if you tried, then I would not bother
I've been hating everything, everything that could have been
Could have been my anything, now everything's embarrassing
Maybe if you let me be your lover
Maybe if you tried, then I would not bother
Telling me that basically you're not looking out for me
Everything is true to me, never words where you would see
Maybe if you let me be your lover
Maybe if you tried, then I would not bother
I've been hating everything, everything that could have been
Could have been my anything, now everything's embarrassing
Lyrics submitted by wisetankian, edited by AllynT, minuteman, rj2249
Everything Is Embarrassing Lyrics as written by Devonte Hynes Sky Ferreira
Lyrics © DOMINO PUBLISHING COMPANY, BMG Rights Management, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
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It seems as though she is frustrated from unrequited feelings. For instance when she says, "Maybe if you let me be your lover/ maybe if you tried then I would not bother" suggests that she feels as if the person in question returned how she felt then maybe she would lose the infatuation. The title "Everything is Embarrassing" suggests that the singer is overanalyzing how her actions in front of her love interest. No matter what she does she always makes the wrong move. "I've been hating everything, everything that could have been/ could have been my anything,/ now everything is embarrassing". She realized her efforts are futile, and regrets it. Exasperated, she suggests that the person could easily appeased her. Instead she is left with this confusing feeling of understanding that everything she does is in vain, and the overwhelming compulsion to try to win this persons attention. All in all it leaves her feeling empty, and well--embarrassed.
These lyrics pretty much sum up what the whole song is about:
"Acting like it's nothing, Such a bore I saw the truth and I just can't ignore"
He is acting like the relationship is nothing, but she saw the "true" him. He really does care but for some reason wont commit.
"You're trying to hold the heart that can't be stored Say, I tried to give my best before"
She is basically asking why he is trying to keep his heart "stored" or his feelings protected even though its clear she is trying to bring out his feelings for her.
"You wouldn't have the chance to give me more You're only one step closer to the door"
She is telling him that he is losing his chance to have her, he is pushing himself further from her and out of her life.
@smellyfart I've just discovered this awesome song, and out of all the interpretations this one seems to nail it!
"I've been hating everything, everything that could have been Could have been my anything Now everything's embarrassing" Britney Sprears added this song to her playlist, and these lyrics kinda goes for her, her life.. makes my sad acctually..