Backwards
Kendrick Lamar & Tame Impala Lyrics

It feels like I only go backwards, lately
I feel like I'm not progressing in life recently.

Every part of me says go ahead
Despite feeling like I'm going backwards, my instincts tell me to keep moving forward.

I got my hopes up again, oh no, not again
I'm afraid to get my hopes up again and experience disappointment if I don't meet my expectations.

Feels like we only go backwards darling
It feels like both I and the people around me are stuck and not moving forward in life.

And we'll be screamin' out no rules, no rules
We're rebelling against society's expectations and creating our own path.

Feel the energy we go through, I told you
I'm confident in the energy and passion we have to make a difference in the world.

Pump my fist like I'm supposed to, I showed you
I'm showing others how to fight for what they believe in by leading by example.

My vision of the unsocial, it's so cool
I have a unique, unconventional view of society that others find impressive and inspiring.

Look around me and you'll see the scene, who to blame?
When I look at society, I see chaos and don't know who's responsible for our problems.

See my generation has no shame, I play the game
My generation isn't afraid to challenge the status quo and play by our own rules.

How I see it this is inside the future, this is nothin' that you're used to
I have a futuristic perspective on life that many people aren't accustomed to or prepared for.

I refuse to play the victim, my religion is to move ya
I won't let society bring me down, and my goal is to inspire and motivate others to do the same.

Out your power position, my army head-on collision
I'm willing to go head-to-head with those in power to make a change.

Can't harm me out of my own skin, government need assistance
I won't let the government or anyone else bring me down - they need my help, not the other way around.

Every time that I zone in, nothing is more convincin'
When I focus on my goals, nothing can distract or discourage me.

Than tellin' you that I won't bend, break or fake partition
I'm determined to stay true to myself and my beliefs no matter what.

I can't, this is my life design, this is me taking minds
I'm doing what I was meant to do in life by inspiring and captivating others.

This is what I live for, this is me takin' yours
I find purpose in challenging and changing people's perspectives on life.

This is more than C4, this is what happens when
This is more than just a temporary disruption - when I take action, change happens.

We ready to build and destroy, I hope that you enjoy
We're ready to take on the world and make things happen - I hope you're ready for the ride.

I live my life a rebel, a vigilante, devils try to get at me
I live my life as a rebel, constantly fighting against both external and internal demons.

Pedal through this underworld, undertakers won't catch me
I won't let anyone or anything stop me from moving forward in life, even in the darkest of times.

System ain't no system for justice if you would ask me
I don't believe in the current system and think it's not conducive to real justice.

I'll tell you everything is corrupted, don't you walk past me
Everything around us is corrupted, and I won't let others ignore it or brush it under the rug.

With the condescended look I can tell you're pretendin'
I can see through anyone's fake personas and know when people are being condescending or disingenuous.

Like you my friends and you just a henchman, I feel relentless
I have no real friends - everyone around me is just a pawn in a larger game.

I feel the tension in the air thick enough to cut through it
I can sense the tension and unease in the environment around me.

Or cut you with it I'm cut from a cloth that bred a nuisance
I can either use the tension to cut through barriers and make a difference or use it to cause chaos and destruction, depending on how I choose to act.

Trespass on your property I am properly aimin' to go against ya democracy
I won't let society's idea of democracy hold me back, and I'm willing to push boundaries to make a change.

This is me changing faces
I'm a multifaceted person who can adapt and change depending on the situation.

'Cause I can stand alone and die alone as long as I got pride
I don't need anyone else's approval or validation as long as I know I have pride and dignity.

The victory of fight is all in my eyes
Believing in myself and seeing the world through my eyes is what gives me the power to keep fighting.

The night is young and I can see your demise, I'm waitin' for it
I see the world as ripe for change and look forward to a time when change can happen.

You can't ignore it, you live dormant, I die enormous
Whether you choose to act or not, I'm going to make a difference in this world.

Big as the lies you tell I can tell you feel defeated
The lies and deceit of the world are no match for my drive and determination, and I can see that people are losing hope.

The truth will set you free and to me that's the only reason, capisce?
Knowing the truth about the world will set you free, and that's the only thing that matters to me. Do you understand?