I'm not your mother's favorite dog
I'm not the carpet you walk on
I'm not one small atomic bomb
I'm not anything at all

I'm not the feather at your feet
I'm not your yellow brick street
I'm not anyone you'll see
I'm not anything

Now, now now, now now, now

You don't mean that say you're sorry
You don't mean that say you're sorry
You don't mean that say you're sorry
You don't mean that I'll make you sorry

I'm not the pawn to your king
I'm not your world on a string
I'm not anyone you'll beat
I'm not anything

Now, now now, now now, now

You don't mean that say you're sorry
You don't mean that say you're sorry
You don't mean that say you're sorry
You don't mean that I'll make you sorry

Overall Meaning

In "Now Now," St. Vincent outlines her rejection of someone who has mistreated and devalued her. The lyrics are a defiant proclamation that she will no longer be treated as an object or a pawn in someone else's game. She rejects the role of a subservient pet or a passive target, opting instead for her independence and agency.

She dismisses the idea of being anything to the person she is addressing, stating "I'm not anything at all." This line shows that she has moved away from defining herself based on someone else's opinion or treatment of her, and instead asserts that she is her own person. The repetition of "now" in the chorus underscores this sense of power and immediacy, repeating it almost like a mantra to solidify her resolve.

Although the other person seems to be apologizing, St. Vincent is clear that the apology is insincere and borne out of their fear of consequences. She warns them that their attempt at an apology is meaningless and dismisses the idea that they have any power over her. Overall, the song is a powerful statement of agency and a rejection of the idea that someone else can define one's identity or worth.

Line by Line Meaning

I'm not your mother's favorite dog
I'm not someone who is loved by everyone, especially not someone who is loved by your mother

I'm not the carpet you walk on
I'm not someone who you can just walk all over, I have my own boundaries and limits

I'm not one small atomic bomb
I'm not someone who will just cause a small or insignificant effect, I have much more power and potential than that

I'm not anything at all
I am unique and cannot be defined or confined to any specific label or category

I'm not the feather at your feet
I'm not someone who is expendable or insignificant, I have my own value and worth

I'm not your yellow brick street
I'm not someone who will always lead you down the right path or make things easy for you, you need to take responsibility for your own choices and actions

I'm not anyone you'll see
I'm not someone who is easily forgotten or unimportant, I have my own presence and influence

I'm not anything
I am beyond definition or limitation, I have my own unique essence and being

You don't mean that say you're sorry
You are insincere in your apologies, you don't truly regret or acknowledge your actions

You don't mean that I'll make you sorry
I will hold you accountable for your actions and their consequences, you will regret crossing me

I'm not the pawn to your king
I'm not someone who can be controlled or manipulated by you, I have my own autonomy and agency

I'm not your world on a string
I'm not someone who you can control or possess, I have my own desires and dreams

I'm not anyone you'll beat
I'm not someone who is weaker or inferior to you, I have my own strengths and abilities

Now, now now, now now, now
This is a moment of realization and awakening, a time to embrace my true self and stand up for what I believe in.

just now