Just What I Needed / Not Just What I Needed
Car Seat Headrest Lyrics


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I have nothing but questions
I need answers, those would fill me up
I KNOW WHEN I'M BEING CATERED TO!
I KNOW WHEN I'M BEING CATERED TO!
I will not settle for the lowest common denominator!

Hello my friend, we've been waiting for you for a long time
We have reason to believe that your soul is just like ours
Did you ever get the feeling you were just a little different?
Well, here's our web page, you've finally found a home

Good people give good advice
Get a job, eat an apple, it'll work itself out
It's a phase
It's chemistry
It's your own fault
Well don't listen to us
We're just people too

I've been waiting all my life
I've been waiting for some real good porn
Something with meaning, something fulfilling
I'd like to make my shame count for something

I feel so empty trying to explain this
His name is William Onyeabor, he's from the 70s
And when I wake up in the morning, there are people sleeping on my couch
Well, I'll have something to say about that one

Free people give free advice
Let go of the pain, let go of the fear
But if I let go of that
What will still be here




Will I find out
That I am people too?

Overall Meaning

The song "Just What I Needed/Not Just What I Needed" by Car Seat Headrest is an introspective piece that seems to be questioning the nature of advice in modern society. The song opens with the singer expressing their need for answers to questions that they have. They are looking for more fulfilling and meaningful answers, and refuse to accept 'the lowest common denominator'. They are aware when someone is simply catering to them, and will not be satisfied with anything less than authentic advice.


The second half of the song seems to be addressing the listener directly, telling them they have been waiting for them and that they belong with them. However, it is hard to ascertain who 'they' are or where the singer is. The tone of the piece is somewhat melancholy as it questions the nature of advice, and what advice really provides to its recipients. The song ends with the powerful line: "Will I find out that I am people too?", which is again an introspective statement that seems to be questioning whether or not taking advice is really helpful if, ultimately, we are all just flawed human beings.


Overall "Just What I Needed/Not Just What I Needed" by Car Seat Headrest is a powerful piece on the nature of advice, and how we can never really know if what we take in is helpful or not. The human condition, with all of its flaws and imperfections, is what makes us all truly relatable to each other.


Line by Line Meaning

I have nothing but questions
I am in search of answers that can help me understand better.


I need answers, those would fill me up
My quest for knowledge is so intense that it feels like it can satiate my hunger.


I KNOW WHEN I'M BEING CATERED TO!
I can sense when someone is trying to manipulate me by appealing to my preferences or tastes.


I will not settle for the lowest common denominator!
I refuse to accept something that's mediocre, ordinary or unchallenging.


Hello my friend, we've been waiting for you for a long time
We are eager to welcome someone who belongs to our niche or community.


We have reason to believe that your soul is just like ours
We think that you share our values, interests and aspirations at a fundamental level.


Did you ever get the feeling you were just a little different?
Have you ever sensed that you don't fit in with the mainstream or the norm, but that's okay?


Well, here's our web page, you've finally found a home
We offer you the opportunity to belong to our group or subculture, which may provide you a sense of belonging or identity.


Good people give good advice
It's common for well-intentioned individuals to offer tips on how to improve one's life.


Get a job, eat an apple, it'll work itself out
Some pieces of advice are simplistic or cliched, and don't really address deeper issues or problems.


It's a phase
Sometimes people dismiss others' struggles as a temporary or fleeting phenomenon, without acknowledging their complexity or impact.


It's chemistry
Some people may attribute one's mental or emotional state to biological or neurological factors, without regarding social or personal factors that shape it.


It's your own fault
Some people tend to blame individuals for their negative experiences, regardless of systemic or external factors that may contribute to them.


Well don't listen to us
Ultimately, advice-giving is just an expression of one's opinions, perspectives or biases, and may not always be applicable or useful to others.


I've been waiting all my life
I have a deep yearning or craving that has not been fulfilled, and that may be related to my sexuality or desires.


I've been waiting for some real good porn
I want to find pornography that is satisfying, meaningful, and respectful, rather than exploitative or degrading.


Something with meaning, something fulfilling
I seek sexual or erotic content that provides me with emotional or psychological gratification, and not just physical arousal.


I'd like to make my shame count for something
I hope to transform my feelings of guilt or stigma around sexuality into a positive force that empowers me and others.


I feel so empty trying to explain this
It can be difficult to articulate or express one's deeper or taboo desires, especially to others who may not understand or accept them.


His name is William Onyeabor, he's from the 70s
I want to introduce you to an artist whose music is innovative, influential, and ahead of its time, even though he may not be well-known or appreciated.


And when I wake up in the morning, there are people sleeping on my couch
My life is unconventional or bohemian, with visitors or friends staying overnight without much planning or concern for propriety.


Well, I'll have something to say about that one
Even though I may tolerate or enjoy certain aspects of my unconventional lifestyle, I don't want others to assume that I'm not aware of possible drawbacks or criticisms.


Free people give free advice
People who feel liberated or empowered may offer advice that reflects their values or vision, rather than societal or cultural expectations.


Let go of the pain, let go of the fear
Some advice may encourage individuals to release negative emotions or beliefs that may restrict their personal growth or happiness.


But if I let go of that
Some advice may make it seem like relinquishing one's negative emotions or beliefs is easy or straightforward, ignoring the complexity of human psychology and experience.


What will still be here
One may wonder what remains or persists after letting go of one's fears or pain, and how one's identity or purpose may change.


Will I find out
In the process of transformation or self-discovery, one may encounter new challenges, opportunities or insights.


That I am people too?
One may realize that despite one's unique or exceptional traits or experiences, one still shares common humanity or empathy with others.




Contributed by Violet S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Comments from YouTube:

@aaronpelavin2445

It was an expensive mistake

@vinnythebird1611

This sea is too familiar

@everygrillindude5317

but how was I supposed to know?

@frempy4426

@@everygrillindude5317 How was I supposed to know not to sample The Cars without proper clearance?!

@thc_freebaser

worth it.

@streamer_services

Still a good ass song

3 More Replies...

@its_stultus

Just got a vinyl for cheap that had this song on it
Poor dude didn't know what he had

@ScradeCottontail

haha same

@kcuf1085

same here lol, random buy off amazon

@shawndavis9070

From where?

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