Race Against Myself
♫The Offspring [2003 - Splinter] Lyrics
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All I need
Always lies just out of reach
I've been coming up empty
I've run as fast
As I can run
I've pushed as hard as anyone
I've tried as hard as I can
I've taken all I can stand
But I am running a race
Against myself
Burning out
Strung along
Now my sorrow is my song
My whole world is half-hearted
For my pain
I have none
After all is said and done
Now I'm back where I started
I've gone as far as I can
I've taken all I can stand
But I am running a race
Against myself
The lyrics of "Race Against Myself" by The Offspring speak about a feeling of never being satisfied and always striving for something just out of reach. The singer of the song has exhausted all their limits and yet feels like they are running a race against themselves, unable to escape their own convictions. The song's introspective and melancholic lyrics tell a story of disappointment and unmet expectations, both personal and societal.
The lines "All I want, all I need, always lies just out of reach" encapsulate the frustration and disillusionment of the singer. They have tried to run as fast and as hard as they can, but nothing seems to be enough. Even in victory, the feeling of emptiness persists. The singer has reached a point of burnout, and their "whole world is half-hearted." Despite everything, they find themselves back at the starting point, racing against themselves.
Overall, "Race Against Myself" is a poignant depiction of the human struggle to find meaning and purpose in life. It highlights the disillusionment and disappointment that can come with unfulfilled expectations and a constant desire for more.
Line by Line Meaning
All I want
I have certain goals and aspirations
All I need
Everything that I require to fulfill my plans
Always lies just out of reach
Despite my best efforts, my objectives remain elusive
I've been coming up empty
I have not been able to accomplish anything significant
I've run as fast
I have gone as quickly as I can
As I can run
To my maximum capability
I've pushed as hard as anyone
I have exerted myself to the fullest extent
Still there's nothing for me
Nonetheless, I have gained nothing
I've tried as hard as I can
I have endeavored to the best of my ability
I've taken all I can stand
I have endured all that I am capable of tolerating
But I am running a race
But I am in a competition
Against myself
Against my own limitations and failings
Burning out
Getting exhausted
Strung along
Being deceived or misled
Now my sorrow is my song
Now I express my negativity through my music
My whole world is half-hearted
I am discouraged and lack enthusiasm
For my pain
About the anguish I feel
I have none
I have no resentment or regret
After all is said and done
Even after all that has happened
Now I'm back where I started
Now I find myself in the same place as before
I've gone as far as I can
I have progressed as much as I am able to
But I am running a race
But I am still competing
Against myself
Against my own shortcomings
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@johndoe-xu1on
I wrote her off for the tenth time today
And practiced all the things I would say
But she came over, I lost my nerve
I took her back and made her dessert
Now I know I'm being used
That's okay, man, 'cause I like the abuse
I know she's playing with me
That's okay 'cause I got no self-esteem
We make plans to go out at night
I wait 'til 2 then I turn out the light
This rejection's got me so low
If she keeps it up I just might tell her so
When she's saying that she wants only me
Then I wonder why she sleeps with my friends
When she's saying that I'm like a disease
Then I wonder how much more I can spend
Well, I guess I should stick up for myself
But I really think it's better this way
The more you suffer
The more it shows you really care
Right? Yeah, yeah, yeah
Now I'll relate this little bit
That happens more than I'd like to admit
Late at night she knocks on my door
She's drunk again and looking to score
Now I know I should say "No"
But it's kind of hard when she's ready to go
I may be dumb but I'm not a dweeb
I'm just a sucker with no self-esteem
When she's saying that she wants only me
Then I wonder why she sleeps with my friends
When she's saying that I'm like a disease
Then I wonder how much more I can spend
Well, I guess I should stick up for myself
But I really think it's better this way
The more you suffer
The more it shows you really care
Right? Yeah, yeah, yeah
@impulsecdog4979
This was my dad’s favorite song. I remember driving around with him and blaring this song. He passed away in 2007. RIP Pop, still blaring it
@ashleybray1758
I used to drive around with my much younger sister blasting this shit! AWESOME!!! She loved it by the way!!
@f0sic735
that’s the beauty of music my brother.
@jacktaylor9960
rip
@RanierFareal
literally have the same memory with my Dad, passed in 2017, Rest In Peace to your Pop 🙏
@hasanwazir3161
Dude, your pops had awesome taste! 👊
@MrTylersmash
There's something about this era of music that just can't be replicated no matter how hard people try. I'm always going to be thankful that I was able to grow up as a kid listening to music that had heart and soul written in it. I'll miss those days...
@adam145
This music just can't be made in this economy. People used to go out and buy tapes or CDs of bands that played some really cool concert and then everyone just passed the info to their friends and family. Now you try to search for a band on youtube and you get suggestions of more popular bands that just paid more for the ads.
If everything was treated as equal, people would be much more exposed to these classics and they would literally have billions of views.
@MrTylersmash
@@adam145 I kind of like how records are making a comeback but holy crap they're overly priced as hell... I still buy CDs time to time sometimes those can be super cheap, I just find the sound to be better on CDs than digital, also I like having physical copies of things that I can actually hold, trade, and look at, the joy of music was having to go out, socialize and talk about music with others as you searched in the store for something, those days are gone sadly.
@onlyone23km
This reminds me of the late Joel Schumacher’s Batman films. Particularly Forever.