Stay Useless
Cloud Nothings Lyrics

In "Stay Useless," Cloud Nothings frontman Dylan Baldi expresses his frustration and confusion with his current state of being. He recognizes that something is not quite right, but he can't seem to figure out what that is. He used to have it all, but now he's alone and struggling to find purpose. Yet, at the same time, he's not sure if he wants to change that or if he's better off staying the same.

The repeated line "I need time to stay useless" could be interpreted in a number of ways. On one hand, Baldi may be acknowledging that he needs time to just be, to exist without any societal pressures or expectations forcing him to constantly be productive or successful. He wants to take a break and stay in this state of uselessness for a bit before figuring things out. On the other hand, "useless" could be read as a self-critical term - he sees himself as unproductive and worthless, and may believe that taking time to be useless is simply perpetuating that cycle.

The rest of the lyrics provide some context for these feelings. He feels trapped and stuck, unable to break out of this cycle of solitude and unrest. He knows that he needs something to focus on, somewhere to go, but he can't seem to find it. The chorus repeats over and over, emphasizing the urgency and intensity of his need for direction and purpose.

Overall, "Stay Useless" takes a complex and somewhat ambiguous approach to the idea of self-improvement and finding one's place in the world. It captures the frustration and anxiety that often come with these internal struggles, but there's also a sense of resignation and hopelessness underneath it all. Baldi knows that he's unhappy, but he's not entirely sure how to fix it - or if he even wants to.