I think much like another song “Anti-Matter” (that's also on the same album as this song), this one is also is inspired by a horrifying van crash the band experienced on Nov 3, 2022. This, much like the other track, sounds like it's an extension what they shared while huddled in the wreckage, as they helped frontman Garrett Russell stem the bleeding from his head wound while he was under the temporary effects of a concussion. The track speaks of where the mind goes at the most desperate & desolate of times, when it just about slips away to all but disconnect itself, and the aftermath.
Do you know how it feels to hide
with thoughts repressed deep down inside?
I guess you just loved the lie
Truth is, you can't decide where my heart resides
You want to cure me of this epidemic, you call me sick
I wish I had said it, the words to admit to you who I am
My entire life, I was dealt the wrong hand
And cast aside from the man that I am
I've never felt so free
It kills me to hear you say you choose to love me
I was hoping that would be a given, given our history
I've never felt so free, so free
You think I'm wrong, you think I'm wrong
But I never felt better
Stop living in denial, stop loving the lie
I thought blood was thicker than water
You think I'm wrong but I never felt better
Stop living in denial, stop loving the lie
I thought blood was thicker than water
You think I'm wrong but I never felt better
I know I disappointed you
But I've got nothing to prove
You want to cure me of this epidemic, you call me sick
I wish I had said it, the words to admit to you who I am
My entire life I was dealt the wrong hand
But now I've realized this is who I am
I've made my decision, you're either with or against me
You're either with or against me
You're either with or against me
Stop living in denial, stop loving the lie
I thought blood was thicker than water
You think I'm wrong but I never felt better
Stop living in denial, stop loving the lie
I'm standing firm, it's who I am
You can't keep me, you can't keep me down
Iʼm moving on I'm living free
You canʼt stop me, you canʼt stop me now
I'm standing firm, it's who I am
You can't keep me, you can't keep me down
Iʼm moving on I'm living free
You canʼt stop me, you canʼt stop me now
with thoughts repressed deep down inside?
I guess you just loved the lie
Truth is, you can't decide where my heart resides
You want to cure me of this epidemic, you call me sick
I wish I had said it, the words to admit to you who I am
My entire life, I was dealt the wrong hand
And cast aside from the man that I am
I've never felt so free
It kills me to hear you say you choose to love me
I was hoping that would be a given, given our history
I've never felt so free, so free
You think I'm wrong, you think I'm wrong
But I never felt better
Stop living in denial, stop loving the lie
I thought blood was thicker than water
You think I'm wrong but I never felt better
Stop living in denial, stop loving the lie
I thought blood was thicker than water
You think I'm wrong but I never felt better
I know I disappointed you
But I've got nothing to prove
You want to cure me of this epidemic, you call me sick
I wish I had said it, the words to admit to you who I am
My entire life I was dealt the wrong hand
But now I've realized this is who I am
I've made my decision, you're either with or against me
You're either with or against me
You're either with or against me
Stop living in denial, stop loving the lie
I thought blood was thicker than water
You think I'm wrong but I never felt better
Stop living in denial, stop loving the lie
I'm standing firm, it's who I am
You can't keep me, you can't keep me down
Iʼm moving on I'm living free
You canʼt stop me, you canʼt stop me now
I'm standing firm, it's who I am
You can't keep me, you can't keep me down
Iʼm moving on I'm living free
You canʼt stop me, you canʼt stop me now
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Great version of a great song,
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Sounds like a song directed at a family member (probably a sibling). "I thought blood was thicker than water".
The song doesn't seem to delve into rebelling against an authoritative figure (parent) but more so that a sibling has chosen to always view them as something they are not.
That is they expected more of them, or wanted them to be more like them. But the singer is saying ... "NO!" I will be "free ... it's who I am"
To me it sounds like someone demanded to he accepted by the people he cares about and is supposed to love him for who he his but they hate him for a lifestyle he chose or a decision he made