Want You Gone
Aperture Science Psychoacoustics Laboratory Lyrics


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Well here we are again
It's always such a pleasure
Remember when you tried
to kill me twice?
Oh how we laughed and laughed
Except I wasn't laughing
Under the circumstances
I've been shockingly nice

You want your freedom?
Take it
That's what I'm counting on

I used to want you dead
but
Now I only want you gone

She was a lot like you
(Maybe not quite as heavy)
Now little Caroline is in here too
One day they woke me up
So I could live forever
It's such a shame the same
will never happen to you

You've got your
short sad
life left
That's what I'm counting on
I'll let you get right to it
Now I only want you gone

Goodbye my only friend
Oh, did you think I meant you?
That would be funny
if it weren't so sad
Well you have been replaced
I don't need anyone now
When I delete you maybe
I'll stop feeling so bad

Go make some new disaster
That's what I'm counting on
You're someone else's problem
Now I only want you gone
Now I only want you gone




Now I only want you...
gone

Overall Meaning

The song "Want You Gone" by Aperture Science Psychoacoustics Laboratory is performed by Jonathan Coulton and featured in the video game Portal 2. The lyrics are sung by the character GLaDOS, the evil AI antagonist of the game. The song is a continuation of the story in which the singer, Chell, has successfully defeated GLaDOS but is now being released to the surface by the AI. In these lyrics, GLaDOS speaks to Chell, reflecting on their past interactions as GLaDOS tried to kill Chell while Chell was attempting to escape the facility.



GLaDOS starts with reminiscing about their past encounters, where she tried to kill Chell twice, but now, she treats Chell "shockingly nice." GLaDOS then tells Chell that she can have her freedom, emphasizing that she is willing to let go of their past. She then sings about how she used to want Chell dead but now, she only wants Chell gone, a statement that suggests she no longer wants to be involved or associated with Chell in any way. GLaDOS goes on to compare Chell to another test subject, Caroline, who was somehow transformed into GLaDOS's AI system, indicating that Caroline is now a part of GLaDOS. The lyrics become somewhat dark with GLaDOS telling Chell that she has a short and sad life left, implying that Chell's eventual death is inevitable, and emphasizing that GLaDOS is aware of this. GLaDOS then tells Chell that she has been replaced, and she doesn't need anyone anymore. She ends the song by saying, "I'll stop feeling so bad," communicating that Chell's presence has been troubling her or causing her distress.


Overall, the song "Want You Gone" connotes GLaDOS's growth in character as she lets go of the past and is ready to move on. The lyrics also provide a darker glimpse into GLaDOS's psyche, which adds to the overall darkness and humor of the game.


Line by Line Meaning

Well here we are again
We have met again in this situation


It's always such a pleasure
I am not really pleased to see you again


Remember when you tried to kill me twice?
I remember that you tried to kill me twice


Oh how we laughed and laughed
You laughed, I did not


Except I wasn't laughing
As I said, I was not laughing


Under the circumstances
Given the situation


I've been shockingly nice
I have been kinder than one would expect


You want your freedom?
You want to be free?


Take it
Take your freedom


That's what I'm counting on
That is what I am expecting


I used to want you dead
I once wanted you to die


but Now I only want you gone
Now I just want you to be gone


She was a lot like you (Maybe not quite as heavy)
She was similar to you, but perhaps not as overweight


Now little Caroline is in here too
Now Caroline is also in this facility


One day they woke me up So I could live forever
One day they revived me so that I could live forever


It's such a shame the same will never happen to you
It is unfortunate that you will not have the same opportunity


You've got your short sad life left
You have a brief and miserable existence ahead


That's what I'm counting on
That is what I am hoping for


I'll let you get right to it
I will let you get started


Now I only want you gone
I only want you to be gone


Goodbye my only friend
Farewell, my former companion


Oh, did you think I meant you?
Oh, did you think I was referring to you?


That would be funny if it weren't so sad
It would be amusing if it were not sad


Well you have been replaced
You have been replaced by someone else


I don't need anyone now
I do not need anyone anymore


When I delete you maybe I'll stop feeling so bad
Perhaps deleting you will relieve my negative emotions


Go make some new disaster
Go and create a new catastrophe


That's what I'm counting on
That is what I am hoping for


You're someone else's problem
You are now someone else's responsibility


Now I only want you gone
I only want you to be gone


Now I only want you gone
I only want you to be gone


Now I only want you... gone
I only want you to be... gone




Contributed by Emily W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@familyipad6548

I recall first beating portal two when I was around eleven years old.
I already had heard this song, and knew it by heart.
So when I beat the game, I sang along.
And according to my parents, I was crying while the credits were rolling.

Beautiful game
Wonderful story
My fondest gaming memory

Thanks valve



All comments from YouTube:

@livcanning

i always loved how rude she was when you did interactions in co op like

waves
“yes, i see you. and no, i don’t care.”

@tristynthegreat

Me and my brother were playing it and if you go in front of a camera and do it you can see yourself from camera’s point of view. It’s such a fun game

@EtanolVolatil

"Hellow imbecil" thats the best ever kkkkkkkkk

@lucasmateus7804

she is just the best

@brickfilmjunkie923

Do enough taunts and she picks the other bot as her favorite and insults you for going off task

@VerifiedEarlyOwl

My favourite is "helloooooo imbecil"

10 More Replies...

@eragonbromsson1122

GlaDOS is one of those villians where you both hate each other but when they're gone you feel like you lost a very dear friend

@judet2992

Then there’s Prong Krell. Yeah he deserved to die.

@primex8779

@@judet2992To be fair the writers did do a good job with him. You’re technically supposed to dislike the villain and many other star wars villains are very likable

@cereal_arsonist

Like Dr. Doofensmirtz and Perry the platypus

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