When You Die
MGMT Lyrics

The lyrics to MGMT's song When You Die are a dark and satirical take on the human condition, as well as our obsession with mortality. The singer is unapologetically mean and evil, with no intention of being a nice person. They are eager to cause harm and to blow their lid off, indicating a brewing sense of frustration and anger within them. The repeated refrain of "Don't call me nice" highlights the singer's desire to be seen as something other than the social norm.

The song's chorus turns into a comment on human mortality and the futility of words when faced with the inevitability of death. The singer suggests that "words don't do anything" and that when we die, "It's permanently night / And I won't feel anything". The notion of not feeling anything in death subverts the idea of the afterlife, suggesting that we simply cease to exist. However, despite this bleak perspective, the singer still proclaims that "We'll all be laughing with you when you die". This could be interpreted as a commentary on the absurdity of life, or perhaps a hint of nihilism, suggesting that nothing ultimately matters.

Overall, MGMT's When You Die presents a dark and often unsettling interpretation of the human experience, utilizing irony and satire to comment on our mortality and the futility of words.