Selfish
Emma Jayne Lyrics

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I wanna be selfish I wanna give you a call
I wanna get angry I want you to take the fall
I wanna get mean I wanna take back what’s mine
I wanna be selfish. Oh this happens all the time let me tell you about it

I wanna be the bad guy
I wanna put me first
Leave my mess behind

I wanna be the worst
Wanna give you a piece of my mind
And I won’t hold back
I wanna be selfish
But I don’t think I can

I wanna be selfish I wanna be selfish I wanna be I wanna be
I wanna be selfish I wanna be selfish I wanna be I wanna be

I wanna be selfish, skip the kiss and making up
I wanna break something expensive and make you clean it up
I wanna get mad wanna let you get hurt
I wanna be selfish oh the thing that I deserve

I wanna be the referee making calls so your team loses
Wanna live without the word sorry wanna stop making excuses
Wanna tell you everything you did that made me feel like crying
I wanna be selfish oh but I’m too scared to try it

I wanna be selfish I wanna be selfish I wanna be I wanna be
I wanna be selfish I wanna be selfish I wanna be I wanna be

Overall Meaning

The song "Selfish" by Emma Jayne explores the desire to prioritize oneself and indulge in self-centered behavior. The lyrics depict a longing to be selfish and put one's needs above others. The singer expresses a longing to act out and be confrontational in order to regain control and assert their own desires.

In the first verse, the singer expresses the urge to be selfish by wanting to make a call and provoke an argument, desiring the other person to take the blame. They also express the desire to reclaim what they feel is rightfully theirs. The repetition of the phrase "I wanna be selfish" emphasizes the persistent nature of this desire within the singer, suggesting that this isn't an occasional feeling but something that occurs frequently.

In the second verse, the singer directly acknowledges their desire to be seen as the antagonist or the "bad guy." They want to prioritize their own needs and leave behind the mess they created. The singer yearns to voice their grievances without holding back, yet acknowledges their doubt in being able to fully embrace such selfish behavior.

The chorus reinforces the desire to be selfish and repeats the phrase multiple times, emphasizing the singer's longing for self-indulgence. The repetition indicates the intensity of this desire and its significance to the singer.

In the final verse, the singer continues to explore various ways they want to be selfish. They express the wish to skip the process of making up after a disagreement, and instead, break something valuable and have the other person clean up the mess. The singer longs to express anger and hurt the other person, feeling entitled to do so. However, despite this desire, they admit to being too afraid to actually act upon it.

Overall, the lyrics of "Selfish" delve into the conflicting emotions of wanting to prioritize oneself and indulge in selfish behavior while grappling with the fear and hesitation that comes with it. It highlights the human desire for control and autonomy, even if it means causing conflict and pain for others. The song encapsulates the complexities of navigating personal desires and the consequences of self-centeredness.

Line by Line Meaning

I wanna be selfish I wanna give you a call
I want to prioritize myself and reach out to you.

I wanna get angry I want you to take the fall
I desire to become angry and have you face the consequences.

I wanna get mean I wanna take back what’s mine
I long to act unkindly and reclaim what rightfully belongs to me.

I wanna be selfish. Oh this happens all the time let me tell you about it
I consistently feel the urge to prioritize my own needs and desires.

I wanna be the bad guy
I want to assume the role of the antagonist.

I wanna put me first
I desire to prioritize myself above all else.

Leave my mess behind
I want to escape the consequences of my actions.

I wanna be the worst
I aspire to be the epitome of negativity and immorality.

Wanna give you a piece of my mind
I wish to express my grievances and frustrations to you.

And I won’t hold back
I will not restrain or suppress my desires.

I wanna be selfish
I want to prioritize my own needs and desires.

But I don’t think I can
However, I doubt my ability to do so.

I wanna be selfish I wanna be selfish I wanna be I wanna be
I strongly desire to prioritize my own needs and desires over others.

I wanna be selfish, skip the kiss and making up
I want to avoid reconciling and resolving conflicts.

I wanna break something expensive and make you clean it up
I desire to damage valuable items and have you take responsibility for cleaning up the mess.

I wanna get mad wanna let you get hurt
I want to become angry and allow you to experience pain.

I wanna be selfish oh the thing that I deserve
I yearn to prioritize my own needs and desires, as it is what I believe I am entitled to.

I wanna be the referee making calls so your team loses
I want to have the authority to make biased decisions that result in your team's defeat.

Wanna live without the word sorry wanna stop making excuses
I wish to live without having to apologize or make justifications for my actions.

Wanna tell you everything you did that made me feel like crying
I want to express all the actions you took that caused me emotional distress.

I wanna be selfish oh but I’m too scared to try it
I desire to prioritize my own needs and desires, but fear prevents me from doing so.

I wanna be selfish I wanna be selfish I wanna be I wanna be
I strongly desire to prioritize my own needs and desires over others.

Lyrics © Songtrust Ave
Written by: EMMA JAYNE SESLOWSKY

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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Comments from YouTube:

@oliviahaglund8978

4y↑3

Found this song on Spotify, fell in LOVE with it, and now I come to find the video is just as amazing??? Magic

@Nicole-mt4hl

4y↑1

Girl, same! And I love the guinea pigs!

@ladynasty256

5y↑3

I hope this sets the standard for MORE guinea pig cameos in music videos going forward. You're effortless, delicious and radiant. ALL HAIL THE QUEEN!!!!