Backwards
(Feat. Kendrick Lamar) Tame Impala Lyrics

It feels like I only go backwards, lately
I am stuck in a pattern of repetitive behavior and not progressing in my life

Every part of me says go ahead
Despite feeling stuck, there is a part of me that wants to move forward

I got my hopes up again, oh no, not again
I have been disappointed before and I am afraid of getting my hopes up again

Feels like we only go backwards darling
It seems like my relationships are also repeating the same patterns

And we'll be screamin' out no rules, no rules
We are rejecting societal norms and expectations

Feel the energy we go through, I told you
We are experiencing a rush of excitement and power

Pump my fist like I'm supposed to, I showed you
I am following what society expects of me, but also showcasing my own individuality

My vision of the unsocial, it's so cool
I see myself as cool for rebelling against social norms

Look around me and you'll see the scene, who to blame?
The state of society is chaotic and confusing, and it's unclear who is responsible for it

See my generation has no shame, I play the game
My generation is shameless in our disregard for societal expectations, but we still participate in society

How I see it this is inside the future, this is nothin' that you're used to
I see my rebellion as a glimpse into the future, something that others are not yet familiar with

I refuse to play the victim, my religion is to move ya
I am not going to allow myself to be a victim of societal pressures, instead I will inspire change

Out your power position, my army head-on collision
I am challenging those in positions of power, and am willing to fight for change

Can't harm me out of my own skin, government need assistance
I cannot be harmed for who I am, but the government should be helping create change

Every time that I zone in, nothing is more convincin'
When I focus on my goals, nothing can distract or deter me

Than tellin' you that I won't bend, break or fake partition
I am adamant about not compromising my values or beliefs for the sake of fitting in

I can't, this is my life design, this is me taking minds
I cannot change who I am or how I want to make an impact on the world

This is what I live for, this is me takin' yours
I am motivated and inspired by making a change in the world, even if it means taking away from others

This is more than C4, this is what happens when
This is not just about causing destruction, it's about creating change

We ready to build and destroy, I hope that you enjoy
We are prepared to create change, even if it means tearing down existing structures, and we hope others will enjoy the results

I live my life a rebel, a vigilante, devils try to get at me
I see myself as a rebel who fights against the devilish forces of societal pressures

Pedal through this underworld, undertakers won't catch me
I am navigating through the trickery and danger of societal pressures, refusing to be defeated

System ain't no system for justice if you would ask me
I do not believe that the current societal system upholds justice

I'll tell you everything is corrupted, don't you walk past me
I am warning others not to turn a blind eye to the corruption I see

With the condescended look I can tell you're pretendin'
I can easily see through the fake intentions of others who look down on me

Like you my friends and you just a henchman, I feel relentless
I see through fake friendships and feel passionate about my fight against societal pressures

I feel the tension in the air thick enough to cut through it
There is a palpable tension surrounding societal pressures that is suffocating

Or cut you with it I'm cut from a cloth that bred a nuisance
I am not afraid to use this tension as a weapon and see myself as a troublemaker

Trespass on your property I am properly aimin' to go against ya democracy
I am prepared to challenge the very foundation of democracy in order to create change

This is me changing faces
I am adaptable and will take on different personas in order to achieve my goals

'Cause I can stand alone and die alone as long as I got pride
I am proud and passionate enough to fight for what I believe in, even if it means doing so alone

The victory of fight is all in my eyes
I see the potential victory in every battle I fight

The night is young and I can see your demise, I'm waitin' for it
I am patiently waiting for those who oppose me to fail and fall apart

You can't ignore it, you live dormant, I die enormous
You cannot ignore or suppress the fight for change, while I will go down in history for my efforts

Big as the lies you tell I can tell you feel defeated
I am aware of the lies being told to maintain societal norms, and can see that those trying to keep things the same are feeling defeated

The truth will set you free and to me that's the only reason, capisce?
I believe that acknowledging and accepting the truth will lead to freedom, and it's the only reason worth fighting for