Shooting At Myself
Keala Settle Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Or did you forget
You ain't ready for that yet
You don't wanna ruin what you've built so far
Don't you show them what's up in your mind
Now it's not the time
You should never climb that high
Why do I keep shooting at myself again?
Why do I self sabotage in self-defense?
Every time I had to fight inside my chest
I'm only shooting at myself
Shooting at myself
Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh, oh-oh-oh
Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh, oh-oh-oh
Look around at everybody else
Then back at yourself
You ain't got a shot in hell
Some of us are meant to play a smaller roll
Don't you go and love with all your heart
Showing all your cards
Quit before you fall apart
Leave it so you're not the one left alone (why do I)
Why do I keep shooting at myself again? (Why do I)
Why do I self sabotage in self-defense? (Every time)
Every time I had to fight inside my chest
I'm only shooting at myself
Shooting at myself
Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh, oh-oh-oh
Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh, oh-oh-oh
Oh-oh-oh, oh oh-oh
I don't wanna wait for the right time
No I can't wait, gotta go
I don't wanna watch from the sidelines
No I can't watch anymore
I don't wanna wake up and realize
I spent my life inside my head (why do I)
Why do I keep shooting at myself again? (Why do I)
Why do I self sabotage in self-defense? (Why do I)
Every time I had to fight inside my chest (oh-oh)
I'm only shooting at myself
Shooting at myself
Shooting at myself
Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh, oh-oh-oh (oh, no, no, no, oh, no, no, no)
Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh, oh-oh-oh (no, no, no)
Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh, oh-oh-oh
I'm only shooting at myself
Shooting at myself
The lyrics of Keala Settle's "Shooting At Myself" are about self-doubt and self-sabotage. The lines "Don't you go and say what's in your head, or did you forget / You ain't ready for that yet, you don't wanna ruin what you've built so far" suggest that the singer is holding back from expressing themselves out of fear of damaging what they have already accomplished. This fear is also reflected in the lines "Don't you show them what's up in your mind / Now it's not the time, you should never climb that high / That way if you fall, you only fall so far."
The chorus of the song repeats the title phrase "Why do I keep shooting at myself again?" which reinforces this idea of self-sabotage. The lines "Some of us are meant to play a smaller role" suggest that the singer may feel inadequate compared to others around them.
However, the song also has a message of determination to stop self-sabotage and take action. The lines "I don't wanna wait for the right time / No, I can't wait, gotta go / I don't wanna watch from the sidelines / No, I can't watch anymore" show a desire to break free from self-imposed limitations and take control of one's life.
Overall, "Shooting At Myself" is a powerful message about the struggle to overcome self-doubt and take risks in our lives.
Line by Line Meaning
Don't you go and say what's in your head
Don't speak your truth or share your thoughts
Or did you forget
Are you forgetting this important lesson?
You ain't ready for that yet
You are not prepared for the potential consequences
You don't wanna ruin what you've built so far
You fear jeopardizing what you have already achieved
Don't you show them what's up in your mind
Don't reveal the depths of your inner thoughts
Now it's not the time
The timing is not appropriate
You should never climb that high
Avoid reaching for unattainable heights
That way if you fall, you only fall so far
You won't have as far to fall if you aim low
Why do I keep shooting at myself again?
Why do I repeat this self-destructive behavior?
Why do I self sabotage in self-defense?
Why do I undermine my own success to protect myself?
Every time I had to fight inside my chest
I struggle to overcome my own self-doubt and fear
I'm only shooting at myself
I am the source of my own problems
Look around at everybody else
Compare yourself to others
Then back at yourself
Reflect on your own shortcomings
You ain't got a shot in hell
You have no chance of succeeding
Some of us are meant to play a smaller role
Some people are not meant to be in the spotlight
Don't you go and love with all your heart
Don't fully invest in a romantic relationship
Showing all your cards
Revealing too much about yourself too soon
Quit before you fall apart
End the relationship before it causes damage
Leave it so you're not the one left alone (why do I)
Avoid the pain of rejection and abandonment
I don't wanna wait for the right time
I don't want to delay my ambitions
No I can't wait, gotta go
I must pursue my goals immediately
I don't wanna watch from the sidelines
I refuse to spectate and not participate
No I can't watch anymore
I am fed up with inaction
I don't wanna wake up and realize
I fear the regret of wasted time
I spent my life inside my head (why do I)
I have been mentally consumed by doubt and fear
Shooting at myself
Undermining my own success
Contributed by Nathan Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.