The People I'm Not
Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti Lyrics

Hey!
The beginning of a request for attention and focus on the following lyrics.

People, they talk a lot about it
Referring to the concept of success or ambition that people often discuss.

But they don't have a clue
Despite the talk, the general public does not truly understand what success entails.

What it means, it's true
Confirming that it is indeed true that people don't comprehend the meaning of success despite discussing it frequently.

I am one of those jealous little guys
A reflection on being an envious individual that will compete endlessly.

Who will try to beat you all day
A statement on how the singer will be constantly focused on success and triumph over others.

But people, I'm not that way
Despite the competitiveness, the singer admits that he is not truly relentless or vicious.

People think you can have it all
Commenting on the pervasive idea that individuals are capable of achieving everything they desire.

And people find other people
Explaining how people often compare themselves to others and seek out those with greater success or status.

Who have what they don't
Highlighting how individuals are often unsatisfied with their own accomplishments and instead desire what others have achieved.

I am one of those egomaniacs
Admitting to being someone with an inflated sense of self and ego.

Who know just what to say
Acknowledging that one can manipulate others with words and that the artist is capable of doing so.

But people, I'm not that way
Despite possessing the skill to mislead others, the singer insists that he is not actually manipulative or deceitful.

Ey!
An exclamation that serves as a transition to the next section of the song.

Drop that little handbook
Commanding the subject to abandon the guidelines and rules that they have been following.

And take him off the street, no
Referring to someone who is often underestimated or overlooked and suggesting that they should be given a chance to shine.

Cast him in a special
Proposing that this individual should be given something special, such as a role in a film or performance.

On Ferris Bueller's Day Off
A reference to the popular movie where the singer embarks on a wild adventure and inspires others to break free from restrictions.

... him at the same
An incomplete sentence that could suggest that the singer is indicating that the individual he's referring to should also be given an opportunity or a special circumstance.

Cast him in a special
Repeating the instruction to have this underdog figure be the recipient of something extraordinary.

Down town
A vague reference to a location where this special treatment might occur.

Ooh
A vocalization used to catch the listener's attention.

Ooh-aah (x3)
An additional vocalization that doesn't have specific meaning but adds emphasis and interest to the melody.

(x4)
A musical interlude that repeats four times to bridge two sections of the song.

He who tries to make a point
Beginning a philosophical statement about those who argue or attempt to convince others.

Misses the point every time
Suggesting that those who argue extensively ultimately fail to make a meaningful impact or stir people to action.

And every time I hit the nail on the head
Acknowledging that the singer has had success in communicating meaning and clarity.

It's my heart that beats ice
A reflection that despite having success communicating a point, the artist struggles emotionally with the topic at hand and isn't fulfilled by winning an argument.

I am one of those cold-hearted guys
Admitting to being jaded and cynical when it comes to the subject of love.

Who say love is a weakness, babe
Suggesting that the singer thinks that love is something to be avoided or that it makes individuals vulnerable to heartbreak or exploitation.

But people, I'm not that way
Despite being emotionally disconnected, the singer insists that he's not completely dismissive of love or its power.

Hey, let's get nervous
Beginning a new section of the song where the artist begins engaging with someone directly.

There's a button on your shoulder
An ambiguous statement that could be taken literally, or as a metaphor for something concerning the person the artist is addressing.

And I'm pushing it over and over
Suggesting that the artist is toying or playing with the other person by pushing their buttons figuratively and literally.

Hey, kid, what's your name?
Addressing someone younger, invoking a protective or elder-demonstrative tone.

Hey, huh, the people I'm not
Referring to the title of the song and characterizing the person addressed as someone who is unlike typical society-driven identity constructions.

Hey, let's play gin
Proposing a new game that serves as a metaphor for any sort of competitive or strategic activity.

(Okay)
Affirmative agreement to play the proposed game.

I'm gonna love you if you play
Suggesting that the singer will respect the individual if they choose to engage in competitive activity or take risks.

But I'll hit you if you win
A playful threat that the artist will taunt one who has won, to express that the artist takes competition seriously but also knows when to pull back from aggression.

'Cause it's my game
Confirming the artist's commitment and confidence in the suggested activity.

(Who the hell are you anyway?)
An assertive challenge towards anyone trying to oppose the singer.

Well, the people I'm not
Restating the title of the song to emphasize that the singer's identity is not one often seen in society.

Okay, losers win
A reversal of commonplace usage for the words 'losers' and 'win' to emphasize that sometimes the underdog wins and sometimes the favored one loses.

It's your turn
Challenging the individual present to take their turn in the suggested activity.

There's a button on your shoulder
Repeating the phrase from earlier in the song where the artist metaphorically refers to something interpersonal within the other person.

And I'm pushing it over and over
Reasserting the playful taunting nature of the singer's interaction with the other person.

You make .. use of my time
An incomplete sentence that could suggest that the artist is acknowledging that the other person may be wasting time or taking too much of his time and energy.

The people I'm not
Reiterating the song's theme that the singer doesn't conform to societal ideas of identity.

Let's get nervous
Reintroducing the focus of the song toward engaging with another person directly.

(You get nervous)
Acknowledging the emotional response to the competitive interaction from the other person.

I'm gonna love you if you play
Repeating the line from earlier in the song to emphasize the positive reinforcement the artist offers if the individual plays the game within the bounds of the rules and spirit.

But I'll hit you if you win
Repeating the earlier line that suggests the artist will be playful and teasing even if the other person prevails.

It's my game
Emphasizing the singer's control over the rules and expectations of the activity at hand.

It's my game
Repeating this line to further underline the singer's confidence and command of the activity.

(Just as ... calm you down now)
An incomplete phrase that may serve to acknowledge or tease the unspoken emotions present in the individual the artist is interacting with.

The people I'm not
Reiterating that the artist does not embody the stereotypes or expectations presented to him or her by society.

Okay, let's play gin again!
Repeating the earlier suggestion of the game, perhaps to restart the interaction or to signal the end of the song.

There's a button on your shoulder
Again referring to the hidden or unspoken trigger within the other person they can manipulate.

And I'm pushing it over and over, over
Reinforcing the theme of the artist engaging with and teasing the other person.

Huh, the people I'm not
Closing the song with a reminder that the singer perceives himself as distinct in his or her identity.