Authenticity
Harvey Danger Lyrics

The lyrics in Harvey Danger's "Authenticity" present a sharp critique of modern society's obsession with image and superficiality. The opening lines portray the singer as being both dangerous and alluring, comparing themselves to a "stinger" and a "honeybee." This potentially predatory image is juxtaposed with the disturbing request for someone to "cut their wrists" with the singer's "razor." This serves as a commentary on how society often values the appearance of danger or edginess over genuine human connection or emotional depth.

The chorus of the song reveals the singer's frustration and sense of hopelessness in the face of this reality. They claim to already be "spinnin in [their] grave," implying that their sense of disconnection and alienation from the world around them has become a sort of death in itself. The repeated refrain of "ohwuhuhoh" further emphasizes the singer's feelings of isolation and impotence.

The second half of the song expands on the idea of the singer being a symbol of authenticity. They claim to be the subject of someone's documentary, suggesting that they are being carefully scrutinized and presented to the world as a sort of ideal. However, the line "I'm no such thing-a" reveals that the singer is aware of and resistant to this characterization. They refuse to be reduced to a mere symbol or representation, insisting that their true value lies in their inherent authenticity. The final line of the song, "I'm already spittin on your grave," presents a final, angry rejection of the artificiality and shallowness of mainstream society.