Someone Like You
Cockney Rejects Lyrics

The lyrics of Cockney Rejects's song "Someone Like You" captures the sentiments of someone who sees himself as misunderstood and constantly at odds with society. The opening lines detail his troubles with family and others who seem to hate him, presenting an image of a social outcast. He seems to have given up on work and doesn't care whether people view him as lazy. The defiant line, "I'm the only one who rates me" speaks to his self-worth even in the face of rejection. He sees conformity as a trap and openly declares he doesn't want to be someone like you. He doesn't want to be part of the system that has rejected him and wants to wait until he finds a perfect job. The threatening line, "Or I'll end up killing you," portrays his anger and resentment for those who judge him, offer advice and try to change him.

The rebellious nature of the song mirrors the working-class roots of the Cockney Rejects. Growing up in the East-End of London, they experienced firsthand the economic hardships of the British working classes in the late '70s and early '80s; their music served as an outlet to express the feelings of injustice, anger, and disillusionment. The song shows the punk legacy of the Cockney Rejects, epitomized by the lyrics’ brashness and defiance, the fast tempo, and the rough, unpolished sound. Despite the confrontational language, the song relays a message of individualism and self-reliance, of standing up for oneself and rejecting conformity.