Detroit Social Work
Human Kitten Lyrics

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I wish I had a reason for feeling how I feel
I wish there was a purpose or a meaning or something
I wish that when I did feel great, it lasted more than just a day
And I didn't go straight back to feeling miserable
And the part of brain that functions wrong, well I can't articulate it into a song
But the day that it happens, I will retire from music

And your mind is like a town with next to no funding

No public education, garbage dumps, or policemen
So your trash piles up all the way to the treetops
And for the life of you, you just can't get that smell out of your mouth
So you try and you try, you think you might die

You swim through the wasteland, vomiting and crying
Just to make it, just to make it, just to make it to the welfare department

Overall Meaning

In "Detroit Social Work," Human Kitten expresses his desire for a reason or purpose to his constant feelings of misery, as well as his frustration with the limitations of language that prevent him from articulating the source of his struggles. He laments the fleeting nature of his good days, which are always followed by a return to miserable feelings. The song serves as a metaphor for the state of the mind, comparing it to a neglected town with no funding, public services, or law enforcement. In this context, the "garbage dumps" represent negative thoughts and emotions, which pile up and become overwhelming. The singer feels trapped in this cycle of misery and despair, resorting to seeking help from social work.

The song touches on the complexities of mental health and the challenges of verbalizing emotion. Human Kitten addresses the difficulties of describing the aspects of the mind that cause distress, and the impact of inadequacy and lack of support services. Through his lyrics, he highlights the importance of empathy and understanding when it comes to mental health issues, and the need for more comprehensive resources to support individuals struggling with these challenges.

Line by Line Meaning

I wish I had a reason for feeling how I feel
I want to understand why I feel this way.

I wish there was a purpose or a meaning or something
I hope there's a reason for what I'm feeling, or some significance to it.

I wish that when I did feel great, it lasted more than just a day
Sometimes I feel really happy, but it never seems to last long enough.

And I didn't go straight back to feeling miserable
I hate it when my good moods don't last and I end up feeling worse than before.

And the part of brain that functions wrong, well I can't articulate it into a song
I have some sort of mental health issue, but I can't really describe it in my music.

But the day that it happens, I will retire from music
If I ever fully recover from my mental health issues, I might not feel the need to make music anymore.

And your mind is like a town with next to no funding
Your mental state resembles a poorly managed and underfunded community.

No public education, garbage dumps, or policemen
There's a lack of resources, education, and support for your mental health.

So your trash piles up all the way to the treetops
Your negative thoughts and emotions accumulate until they feel like an insurmountable mountain.

And for the life of you, you just can't get that smell out of your mouth
You can't escape the negativity or the impact it has on you, no matter how hard you try.

So you try and you try, you think you might die
You struggle tirelessly to overcome your mental health issues, but they feel overwhelming and may even threaten your life.

You swim through the wasteland, vomiting and crying
You're struggling so much that you're physically sick and emotionally spent.

Just to make it, just to make it, just to make it to the welfare department
You fight so hard just to get the support you need, whether it's from a medical professional or some other resource.

Contributed by Isabelle B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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