Not What You Want
Cat Power Lyrics


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I am not what you want
There's no telling how long
I am not what you want
There's no telling how long I'll be here
I am not what you want X3
There's no telling how long
I've checked
I've checked to find
I've checked
I've checked to find
I am not for you one
There's no telling how long
Go figure that out
Figure that out
I am not what you want X6
I've checked
I've checked to find
I am not what you want X5
There's no telling how long I'll be here
I am not what you want
There's no eyes in your own head
I'll check
I'll check tonight
I am not what you want
There's no telling how long I'll be here
I am not what you want
There's no eyes in your head
In your head
At least I cannot see them
In your head
I'm not what you want
I'll get
Nothing X3
Tonight
I'm not what you want
There's no telling how long I'll be here




Be here
At least I cannot see them

Overall Meaning

The song "Not What You Want" by Cat Power is an emotional and introspective reflection on the singer's sense of inadequacy or lack of fit within a specific relationship. The lyrics repeat the phrase "I am not what you want," underscoring a deep-seated feeling of not being able to meet the expectations or desires of the other person. The singer acknowledges that there is "no telling how long" she might try or stay in the relationship despite this mismatch.


The repetition of "I've checked" in the lyrics suggests that the singer has tried to confirm her own doubts and suspicions about her fit in the relationship but has ultimately come up short. The statement "there's no eyes in your own head" could refer to a lack of empathy or understanding on the part of the other person, adding to the singer's sense of isolation and disconnection. Throughout the song, the singer seems to be grappling with her own identity and sense of self-worth, questioning whether she is "for you one."


Overall, "Not What You Want" is a poignant exploration of the complex dynamics of a relationship where one person feels like they don't belong. The repetition of the title phrase serves as a haunting reminder that sometimes love and attraction aren't enough to overcome fundamental differences in personality or worldview.


Line by Line Meaning

I am not what you want
I am not the person you desire or long for


There's no telling how long
It's uncertain how long this realization will last


I'll be here
I'll exist, but not as the person you dream of


I've checked to find
I've searched for a way to fulfill your desires


Go figure that out
You must come to this realization on your own


I am not for you one
I am not the one who can fulfill your desires


Figure that out
Realize this truth for yourself


There's no eyes in your own head
You don't see the truth about what you really need


I'll check tonight
I'll re-examine myself to confirm what I already know


At least I cannot see them
I don't have the ability to perceive what you need


I'll get nothing tonight
I won't be able to change myself to become what you want


Be here
Existing is all I can do, but not as the person you crave




Lyrics © BEGGARS MUSIC, LTD.
Written by: CHAN MARSHALL

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Peter Pumkinghead


on He-War

i love the cats

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