PRIDE
Hьsker Dь Lyrics
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I didn't meant it, it was just an act
My friend's outside, can't he come in?
And everybody else
Stupid pride, selfish people, stupid pride
Why does everybody have to be like that?
Out, just an act, his parents love him
No reaction, no response, forget him, just forget him
In "Pride," Hьsker Dь's Bob Mould grapples with the destructive power of pride. The song chronicles a confrontation between two people that escalates when one is unwilling to back down due to pride. The lyrics express frustration with the selfishness and self-absorption that pride can cause, leading individuals to prioritize their own egos over the well-being of others. The singer recognizes this dynamic, lamenting, "Why does everybody have to be like that?" The song captures the struggle of trying to recognize the destructive effects of pride and let it go before it causes too much damage.
The opening line, "Why did you back me into a corner?", sets the stage for a tense confrontation that quickly spirals out of control. The singer pleads for the other person to back down, acknowledging that their own behavior was only an act that went too far. Despite this, the other person refuses to relent due to their own pride. The lyrics "Out, just an act, his parents love him / But they send him money but he won't come back" suggest that the other person might be struggling with addiction or mental illness, making the struggle with pride even more complex.
Overall, "Pride" captures the messiness of human relationships and the difficulty of letting go of pride when it feels like the only thing holding us together. Through Hьsker Dь's characteristic blend of punk energy and introspective lyrics, the song offers a poignant and relatable exploration of this theme.
Line by Line Meaning
Why did you back me into a corner?
Asking why the other person confined them and left them with no other option.
I didn't meant it, it was just an act
Apologizing and explaining that their behavior was not intentional, but just for show.
My friend's outside, can't he come in?
Requesting permission to let their friend enter the room.
And everybody else
Implied meaning that everyone should be let in, not just the friend outside.
Stupid pride, selfish people, stupid pride
Expressing disgust towards prideful and self-centered beings and their behavior.
Why does everybody have to be like that?
Asking a rhetorical question as to why people have to be this way.
Out, just an act, his parents love him
Emphasizing that it was just an act, and that their friend's parents care for them, despite his absence.
But they send him money but he won't come back
Explaining that his parents send him financial support, but he refuses to come back to them.
No reaction, no response, forget him, just forget him
Concluding that there is no reaction or response to his friend's uncooperative behavior and that it's best to forget them.
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: BOB MOULD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind