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've been ignoring this big lump in my throat
I shouldn't be crying, tears were for the weaker days
I'm stronger now, or so I say
But something's missing
Whatever it is
It feels like it's laughing at me through the glass of a two-sided mirror
Whatever it is
It's just laughing at me
And I just wanna scream
What now?
I just can't figure it out
What now?
I guess I'll just wait it out (wait it out)
What now?
Oh-oh-oh-oh, what now?
I found the one, he changed my life
But was it me that changed
And he just happened to come at the right time
I'm supposed to be in love
But I'm numb again
Whatever it is
It feels like it's laughing at me through the glass of a two-sided mirror
Whatever it is
It's just sitting there laughing at me
And I just wanna scream
What now?
I just can't figure it out
What now?
I guess I'll just wait it out (wait it out)
What now?
Please tell me
What now?
There's no one to call, 'cause I'm just playing games with them all
The more I swear I'm happy, the more that I'm feeling alone
'Cause I spend every hour just going through the motions
I cant even get the emotions to come out
Dry as a bone, but I just wanna shout
What now?
I just can't figure it out
What now?
I guess I'll just wait it out (wait it out)
What now?
Somebody tell me
What now?
I don't know where to go
I don't know what to feel
I don't know how to cry
I don't know why
I don't know where to go
I don't know what to feel
I don't know how to cry
I don't know why
I don't know where to go
I don't know what to feel
I don't know how to cry
I don't know why
So what now?
I shouldn't be crying, tears were for the weaker days
I'm stronger now, or so I say
But something's missing
Whatever it is
It feels like it's laughing at me through the glass of a two-sided mirror
Whatever it is
It's just laughing at me
And I just wanna scream
What now?
I just can't figure it out
What now?
I guess I'll just wait it out (wait it out)
What now?
Oh-oh-oh-oh, what now?
I found the one, he changed my life
But was it me that changed
And he just happened to come at the right time
I'm supposed to be in love
But I'm numb again
Whatever it is
It feels like it's laughing at me through the glass of a two-sided mirror
Whatever it is
It's just sitting there laughing at me
And I just wanna scream
What now?
I just can't figure it out
What now?
I guess I'll just wait it out (wait it out)
What now?
Please tell me
What now?
There's no one to call, 'cause I'm just playing games with them all
The more I swear I'm happy, the more that I'm feeling alone
'Cause I spend every hour just going through the motions
I cant even get the emotions to come out
Dry as a bone, but I just wanna shout
What now?
I just can't figure it out
What now?
I guess I'll just wait it out (wait it out)
What now?
Somebody tell me
What now?
I don't know where to go
I don't know what to feel
I don't know how to cry
I don't know why
I don't know where to go
I don't know what to feel
I don't know how to cry
I don't know why
I don't know where to go
I don't know what to feel
I don't know how to cry
I don't know why
So what now?
Lyrics submitted by thrwmyhrtawy., edited by CatKeech
What Now Lyrics as written by Robyn Fenty Olivia Waithe
Lyrics © TuneCore Inc., BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
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This is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
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@[Diderik:33655] "Your a holiday!" Was a popular term used in the 50s/60s to compliment someone on their all around. For example, not only are they beautiful, but they are fun and kind too ... just an all around "holiday".
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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Ed Sheeran tells a story of unsuccessfully trying to feel “Amazing.” This track is about the being weighed down by emotional stress despite valiant attempts to find some positivity in the situation. This track was written by Ed Sheeran from the perspective of his friend. From the track, we see this person fall deeper into the negative thoughts and slide further down the path of mental torment with every lyric.
It sounds like depression, when there is no pinpointed reason for your sadness ("whatever it is") or its just been built up over a period of time. You don't know why you feel the way you do and you can't help but feel that way. Everyone, sometimes including yourself("I shouldn't be crying,") thinks you should be happy, and that you have no reason not to be. And even though it may seem like you have everything together ("I'm supposed to be in love,") it just doesn't feel that way. You feel like you have to pretend to be happy towards others ("just playing games with them all.") You put on a front and no one even realizes your suffering and it seems like no one gets it, ("The more I swear I'm happy the more that I'm feeling alone.") The chorus, in my opinion, says how confusing it is. You don't know why you feel the way you do, how to end it, and where to go next. Depression is like that sometimes, its been that way in my case, it comes from seemingly nowhere and it is just truly difficult to understand yourself.
Totally agree. I'm not a big fan of Rihanna at all but couldn't help but take a deeper look into the lyrics whenever I heard it.<br /> <br /> Definitely seems to be a song about depression.<br /> <br /> "The more I swear I'm happy, the more that I'm feeling alone<br /> 'Cause I spent every hour just going through the motions"<br /> <br /> Apathy is a symptom of depression and she seems to be describing it here.<br /> <br /> "What now? I just can't figure it out<br /> What now? I guess I'll just wait it out<br /> What now? Somebody tell me<br /> What now?"<br /> <br /> The chorus emphasizes her feeling of hopelessness using both the lyrics and music.<br /> <br /> Having experienced depression myself, this is definitely a song I can relate to which is something I'd never thought I'd say about a Rihanna tune.
@bbgab I posted this above however just had to relate it to your description as I agree with you perfectly.<br /> <br /> Whilst the lyrics refer to Rihanna combatting her relationship issues, the lyrics are an exact replica for depression. I have suffered from mental illness over the last few years and listening to this song, it feels the words are coming out of my mouth. The numbness, the games, the acting, the loneliness, the confusion, the battle, the misunderstanding, the lies, the pain, but whilst she may seem to be that bad person, she is really the victim. The attempt to find love but really feeling numbness regardless of the seemingly good things around her. The imagery used, the colours, the dramatisation...... the darkness, I can't help but feel myself singing this song when Im feeling at some of my lowest points. Someone suffering from depression could have very well wrote this song, completely unrelated to love & relationships.