The protagonist makes the case to his queen that the Earthlings rely too much on the gods, when they should be taking care of their own problems. Sadly, he is losing hope in humanity. In the track “Royal,” he demonstrated a passion for saving humanity, but now he sends commands “just because I can.” He imagines that even his half-assed efforts are saving the humans from destroying themselves.
- via TomIn703on on SongMeanings
CMND/CTRL
Deftones Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
How's this shit all my fault
It's at the time and
I feel like they should
And I say commands just because I can
Oh I can just imagine the difference it has
You see I'm well aware
You're out of your mind
Its straight
I said your name
It slipped off my tongue
Pointed at the camera laughing at you
Ha ha
Once again
You see no one cares
Its how you wear it, not what it is!
Straight out of your mind
You see I'm well aware
You're out of your mind
Straight out
I can't tell, how's this shit not your fault
Bitch you're Barbaricking off this earth
Switching command just because I can
I'd like to see you wear it
Why can't I stare
Switching command just because I can
And if I let my guard down
Who knows what then
Once again
Just because I can
Just because I can
At first glance, Deftones's song CMND/CTRL may seem like a series of disconnected thoughts and non-sensical lyrics. However, a closer analysis reveals a scathing critique on the internet and social media culture. The song suggests that people have become obsessed with the idea of commanding and controlling others online through social media platforms. The lyrics "I say commands just because I can" and "Switching command just because I can" emphasize this idea where individuals feel empowered by social media to make demands and influence others, without necessarily understanding the implications of their actions.
The lines "I can't tell, how's this shit not your fault" and "Bitch you're Barbaricking off this earth" seem to be directed towards the anonymous trolls on social media who often harass and bully others online. The lyrics suggest that these trolls take pleasure in attacking people online and do not care about the consequences of their actions. The lines "You see no one cares, Its how you wear it, not what it is!" serve to highlight how people care more about appearances on social media, rather than genuine human connections and empathy.
Line by Line Meaning
I can't tell
I am uncertain about something
How's this shit all my fault
I am unsure if I am responsible for this situation
It's at the time and
It happened in the past, and now is the result of that event
I feel like they should
I believe others should take responsibility
And I say commands just because I can
I give orders simply because I have the ability to
Oh I can just imagine the difference it has
I can envision the impact it has on others
Straight out of your mind
You are being irrational
You see I'm well aware
I know the reality of the situation
You're out of your mind
You are not thinking clearly
Its straight
It's the truth
I said your name
I called you out
It slipped off my tongue
I said it without thinking
Pointed at the camera laughing at you
I am mocking you
Ha ha
I find this amusing
Once again
This has happened before
You see no one cares
No one is empathizing with you
Its how you wear it, not what it is!
It's all about how you present yourself, not the situation at hand
I can't tell, how's this shit not your fault
I cannot figure out how you are not responsible for this
Bitch you're Barbaricking off this earth
You are acting like a barbarian and not fitting in with society
Switching command just because I can
I am changing things for no reason other than to demonstrate my control
I'd like to see you wear it
I want you to experience the same thing I am going through
Why can't I stare
Why can't I be straightforward about my feelings
And if I let my guard down
If I become vulnerable
Who knows what then
It's uncertain what could happen afterwards
Just because I can
I am doing this simply because I have the power to do so
Once again
This has happened before
Just because I can
I am doing this simply because I have the power to do so
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ABE CUNNINGHAM, ABRAN CUNNINGHAM, CHINO MORENO, CHINO CAMILO MORENO, FRANK DELGADO, FRANK MIRELEZ DELGADO, SERGIO VEGA, STEPHEN CARPENTER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Andrei_s_thoughts
LYRICS🥀
I can't tell
How's this shit all my fault?
It's at the time and I feel like they should
I say commands just because I can
Oh, I can just imagine the difference it has
[Chorus]
Straight out of your mind
You see I'm well aware
You're out of your mind
Straight out
[Verse 2]
I said your name
It slipped off my tongue
Pointed at the camera laughing at you, haha
Once again, you see no one cares
It's how you wear it, not what it is
[Chorus]
Straight out of your mind
You see I'm well aware
You're out of your mind
Straight out
[Verse 3]
I can't tell
How's this shit not your fault?
Bitch, you're barbaric, King Kong get some
Switching command, just because I can
I'd like to see you wear it, why can't I stare?
Switching command just because I can
And if I let my guard down who knows what then
Once again, just because I can
Just because I can
@A.H_Secondary
I hate too say it but personally to me this is one of those bands your GF likes but you'll never understand, and sorry I know you all have your fav album, but all the music they put out is really just the same gimmicky shtick over and over again after years. I feel like this song in particular does not hold up to it's potential, and it is a perfect example of most of the problems I have with the band in general, and why I never really got the appeal.
The guitar riff or whatever that is at about the two minute mark actually just sounds so derivative of other (slightly better) bands such as Slint, Led Zepplin, The Beatles, The Doors etc. and personal I feel all this low effort simplistic music coming out (and yes this is simplistic music in terms of music theory. Stop acting like this is some sort of sophisticated piece of art) show an obvious decline in people expectations, due to a sheep like pretentiousness that has consumed music listening culture, and honestly I can't listen to these vocals for any amount of time without cringing like so hard.
It just sounds like the singer is just trying to be unique/edgy without actually ever taking any classical singing lessons, but it just comes out girly and overblown. How about you sing sometime when your not constipated. Is it just me or does the production also sound just really bad. Like the vocals are too quiet, and the bass just feels kinda stilted.
How about you grow up and sing in an actual studio instead of your mom's basement with your phone mic trying to not wake her up. I swear even Imagine Dragons's immersive motivational Nike ad ost's slap harder than this.
Honestly like if your vanilla blondy girlfriend was trying to show off her amazing indie music taste as some sad form of foreplay it would sound just like this.
These people in the comments going on about how emotionally heavy this is would probably die if they listened to at least five minutes of Scott Walker, or Korn.
I am not even angry at these braindead fans anymore. It just kinda honestly makes me sad, like they get their opinions from tok-tok without actually using any form of critical thinking.
Let me just remind you that I can't stop you from crying and complaining about about someone else having an opinion on the internet even though no one asked, but if you do I hate to say it but honestly your kinda just a sad fanboy who is afraid to from his own opinions, and needs mommy to help him approach the bath after a dirty night with the women and such so yeah
@arsonne
One of the most underrated Deftones songs.
@ilanevial8644
True
@hakimdu07
Absolutely True !
@YourLocalNerd124
frr, I love this song sm
@krinque
even their most viewed video is underrated. Only 44 million 😔 deserves 100M+ for sure. At least BQADFA, Change, MOS deserve like 200M+
@kornl0ver69
real
@vini6391
I'm listening to this song after years just because I can
@macaryl95
Tough guy
@Flusterette
Goodness the way this track starts & just takes the fuck off, I just... Ugh nobody but Deftones could do it
@Sinsonia90
Yeesss you are right they slowly smack you then boom 💥 greatness