Kid Rock released several studio albums from 1988 that mostly went unnoticed before his 1998 record 'Devil Without a Cause', released with Atlantic Records, sold 11 million albums behind the hits, "Bawitdaba","Cowboy," and "Only God Knows Why". In 2000, he released The History of Rock which was a compilation of remixed and remastered versions of songs from his previous albums as well as the hit single, "American Bad Ass". In 2001, he released the follow up, Cocky. After a slow start, his country-flavored hit "Picture" with Sheryl Crow resurrected the album and it went gold as a single and pushed the album's sales to more than 5 million. It was followed by 2003's self-titled release, which failed to chart a major hit. In 2006 he released Live Trucker , a live album. In 2007 Kid Rock released Rock N Roll Jesus, which produced a hit in "All Summer Long." It was his first worldwide smash hit, charting #1 in eight countries across Europe and Australia. Rock N Roll Jesus would go on to sell 5 million albums worldwide including being certified triple platinum in the US.
He has sold 22 million albums to date in the United States, which currently ranks him as the 99th best selling music artist of all time in the U.S.
My Oedipus Complex (Featuring
Kid Rock Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I need somebody won't you tell me who I am
I've been livin a lie so long it seems I've lived a life time
If you could see what I feel it would make your ghetto lood like heaven
And I believe it stems down from my family situation
I never liked my old man
I couldn't stand to be around him
My heart turns to stone and I think of this
I need somebody won't you help me
I need somebody won't you tell me who I am
You never loved me, you never held me tight
Instead you shook me like a beast to wake me up at night
You tried to make me think that your ways were best
When all I was was an outlet for all your stress
Life it's the ultimate sin
A game with no rules that you're expected to win
My personal hell's hidden with a grin
Dad take the stand and let the trial begin
You said that oil and water don't mix though it seems cool
Keep with your own and don't fuck up our gene pool
You should've went to school like your bigger brother
But you played the fool with a different color
Runnin' ship with a whip
I tried to keep up but I kept getting tripped
Money made you so wise
How could you look through my face and not see your own eyes
Do as I say and not as I do
But I can't 'cause when I look in the mirror I see you
And oh the pain how it hurts
It was always your home and your business that came first
You said a man is as good as his word
But your mind was closed and mine never heard
My visions blurred, thoughts obscured
And with my blinders down I strain from the heard
They say the nut don't fall far from the tree
Look at you then look at me...
You ain't nothin' to me you've never been to me
And all you ever gave a damn about was money see
So now fuck you man you ain't shit to me
And it's the day that I die of this hate that I'm free
Now I know growin' up son that it ain't always been easy
And I know at times I was not always there for you
No we never spent much time just talkin' or havin' a good time
But understand growin' up son I never had a dime
So I worked my ass off and I put myself through college
And everything I have to this day you know I built it all
Oh I wish I could go back and change the years that's lost between us
I wish I could take back some of the things I said to you
Son I said I'm sorry but still you resent me so
Son I said I'm sorry and why do you resent me so
I always loved you I always cared for you
Just never wanted you to go through what I've been through
I tried to raise my fuckin' family just the best I know
And now I'm hated like the devil and for why I don't know
Dah
Alright, get down baby
Yeah
I need somebody won't you help me
I need somebody won't you tell me who I am
I need somebody please, please help me
I need somebody you must tell me who I am
Hey, hey, hey
Tell me who I am
Hey, hey
Tell me who I am
I am, I am
Tell me who I am, am, am
Tell me
Tell me
If it looks good, you'll see it...
If it sounds good, you'll hear it...
If it's marketed right, you'll buy it...
But if it's real, you'll feel it...
The song "My Oedipus Complex" by Kid Rock is a track that explores a complicated relationship between a son and his father. The lyrics are powerful and introspective, as the artist delves into the struggles he faced growing up in a family where he never received the love and affection he craved. Kid Rock begins the song by lamenting that he has been living a lie for so long that it seems like he has lived a lifetime. He then reveals that his troubled family situation has contributed to his sense of feeling lost and unsure of who he is.
The artist goes on to explain that he never liked his father and couldn't stand to be around him. In fact, he spends time staring at his father's picture and feeling his heart turn to stone. Kid Rock is grappling with the pain of not feeling loved by his father, as he was merely an outlet for his father's stress. He states that his dad's home and business always came before him, and he was a distant second priority. However, at the end of the song, Kid Rock's father comes forward, apologizing for being absent and telling his son that he always loved him and cared for him, even though he never wanted him to go through the same struggles he did.
Line by Line Meaning
I need somebody won't you help me
Kid Rock is requesting help from someone
I need somebody won't you tell me who I am
Kid Rock wants to know his true identity
I've been livin a lie so long it seems I've lived a life time
Kid Rock has been pretending to be someone he's not
If you could see what I feel it would make your ghetto lood like heaven
Kid Rock feels trapped and oppressed
And I believe it stems down from my family situation
Kid Rock believes his family has influenced his current situation
I never liked my old man
Kid Rock never liked his dad
I couldn't stand to be around him
Kid Rock didn't want to be around his dad
Sometimes I sit all alone just starin at his picture, yeah
Kid Rock is contemplating his relationship with his father
My heart turns to stone and I think of this
Kid Rock's emotions become cold when he thinks about his father
You never loved me, you never held me tight
Kid Rock feels unloved by his father
Instead you shook me like a beast to wake me up at night
Kid Rock's dad didn't treat him gently when waking him up
You tried to make me think that your ways were best
Kid Rock's dad forced his beliefs on him
When all I was was an outlet for all your stress
Kid Rock's dad used him as a source of release for his own stress
Life it's the ultimate sin
Kid Rock thinks life is a sin
A game with no rules that you're expected to win
Life is like a game with no clear rules, and success is expected
My personal hell's hidden with a grin
Kid Rock is hiding his inner pain
Dad take the stand and let the trial begin
Kid Rock is ready to confront his father
You said that oil and water don't mix though it seems cool
Kid Rock's dad believed in segregation
Keep with your own and don't fuck up our gene pool
Kid Rock's dad didn't want him to mix with people outside their race
You should've went to school like your bigger brother
Kid Rock's dad had different expectations for his children based on their size and race
But you played the fool with a different color
Kid Rock defied his dad's expectations based on his skin color
Runnin' ship with a whip
Kid Rock's dad was a strict leader
I tried to keep up but I kept getting tripped
Kid Rock struggled to meet his dad's expectations
Money made you so wise
Kid Rock's dad believed money brought wisdom
How could you look through my face and not see your own eyes
Kid Rock's dad was blind to his son's struggles because they reminded him of his own
Do as I say and not as I do
Kid Rock's dad was a hypocrite
But I can't 'cause when I look in the mirror I see you
Kid Rock sees his father in himself
And oh the pain how it hurts
Kid Rock is experiencing emotional pain
It was always your home and your business that came first
Kid Rock's dad prioritized his home and work over his family
You said a man is as good as his word
Kid Rock's dad valued honesty
But your mind was closed and mine never heard
Kid Rock's dad was rigid in his beliefs and didn't listen to him
My visions blurred, thoughts obscured
Kid Rock is having trouble seeing clearly and thinking well
And with my blinders down I strain from the heard
Kid Rock feels alienated and isolated from others
They say the nut don't fall far from the tree
People often become like their parents
Look at you then look at me...
Kid Rock and his dad are very different from each other
You ain't nothin' to me you've never been to me
Kid Rock doesn't feel close to his dad
And all you ever gave a damn about was money see
Kid Rock thinks his dad cared more about money than him
So now fuck you man you ain't shit to me
Kid Rock no longer respects his dad
And it's the day that I die of this hate that I'm free
Kid Rock feels that hating his dad has set him free
Now I know growin' up son that it ain't always been easy
Kid Rock's dad realizes his son had a difficult childhood
And I know at times I was not always there for you
Kid Rock's dad admits to not always being present for his son
No we never spent much time just talkin' or havin' a good time
Kid Rock and his dad didn't engage in quality bonding time
But understand growin' up son I never had a dime
Kid Rock's dad struggled financially while raising him
So I worked my ass off and I put myself through college
Kid Rock's dad worked hard to improve his financial situation and education
And everything I have to this day you know I built it all
Kid Rock's dad is proud of his accomplishments
Oh I wish I could go back and change the years that's lost between us
Kid Rock's dad wishes he had spent more time with his son
I wish I could take back some of the things I said to you
Kid Rock's dad regrets hurtful things he said to his son
Son I said I'm sorry but still you resent me so
Kid Rock's dad has apologized to his son but Kid Rock still resents him
Son I said I'm sorry and why do you resent me so
Kid Rock's dad wonders why his son still resents him
I always loved you I always cared for you
Kid Rock's dad always loved and cared for his son
Just never wanted you to go through what I've been through
Kid Rock's dad wanted to spare him from the struggles he faced
I tried to raise my fuckin' family just the best I know
Kid Rock's dad did his best to raise his family
And now I'm hated like the devil and for why I don't know
Kid Rock's dad feels hated and doesn't know why
If it looks good, you'll see it...
Kid Rock believes people recognize beauty
If it sounds good, you'll hear it...
Kid Rock believes people appreciate good sound
If it's marketed right, you'll buy it...
Kid Rock thinks marketing influences people's purchasing decisions
But if it's real, you'll feel it...
Kid Rock believes authenticity can be felt emotionally
Lyrics ยฉ Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: CHRIS PETERS, BOB RITCHIE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
ChunkeyMonkey40
I need somebody won't you help me
I need somebody won't you tell me who I am
I've been living a lie so long it seems I've lived a life time
If you could see what I feel it would make your ghetto look like heaven
And I believe it stems down from my family situation
I never liked my old man
I couldn't stand to be around him
Sometimes I sit all alone just staring at his picture
My heart turns to stone and I think of this
I need somebody wont you help me
I need somebody wont you tell me who I am
You never loved me you never held me tight
Instead you shook me like a beast to wake me up at night
You tried to make me think that your ways were best
When all I was was an outlet for all your stress
Life it's the ultimate sin
A game with no rules that you're expected to win
My personal hell's hidden with a grin
"Dad take the stand and let the trial begin"
You said that oil and water don't mix though it seems cool
Keep with your own and don't fuck up our gene pool
You should've went to school like your bigger brother
But you played the fool with a different color
Runnin' ship with a whip
I tried to keep up but I kept getting tripped
Money made you so wise
How could you look through my face and not see your own eyes
Do as I say and not as I do
But I can't 'cause when I look in the mirror I see you
And oh the pain how it hurts
It was always your home and your business that came first
You said a man is as good as his word
But your mind was closed and mine never heard
My visions blurred, thoughts obscured
And when my blind was down I strayed from the herd
They say the nut don't fall far from the tree
Look at you then look at me...
You ain't nothing to me you've never been to me
And all you ever gave a damn about was money see
So now fuck you man you ain't shit to me
And it's the day that I die of this hate that I'm free
Now I know growing up son that it ain't always been easy
And I know at times I was not always there for you
We never spent much time just talking or having a good time
But understand growing up son I never had a dime
So I worked my ass off and I put myself through college
And everything I have to this day you know I built it all
Oh I wish I could go back and change the years that's lost between us
I wish I could take back some of the things I said to you
Son I said I'm sorry...
Son I said I'm sorry but still you resent me so
Son I said I'm sorry and why do you resent me so
I always loved you I always cared for you
Just never wanted you to go through what I've been through
I tried to raise my fucking family just the best I know
And now I'm hated like the devil and for what I don't know
Dahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!
I need somebody won't you help me
I need somebody won't you tell me who I am
I need somebody please please help me
I need somebody you must tell me who I am (hey x3)
Tell me who I am(hey x2)
Tell me who I am(I am x2)
Tell me who I am(am x2)
TELL ME!!! tell me
Brian M. Baron
The dual perspectives provide an extra element of relatability and bring the song full circle so well. Kid Rock's Lyrics are often overlooked but the words in this song are strong... and you can feel them.
Researcher
Man i can relate to this my biological father wasn't in my life, ran away from us mom was emotionally abusive at times. He ended up having a successful auto repair business buissneses. Mom tracked his Facebook down and he's been giving us money since i was 15 i think man life is bullshit but you deal with the cards you're dealt with
britslonelyvibes
i love coming back to this song every once in a while. i got this album when i was probably around 8 or so and knew every song. i had an abusive father and i felt so alone, this song helped me through that. iโm 21 now, and my dad passed last year. the older i got the more i understood the song. i still feel every single word down to my core.
Paula Daniels
I love this song... Did you notice how you can't play it on Pandora &/or Amazon music? I use to have this CD... Like 20 years ago... I'll have to get a new one! โ๐ป
King Blob
@Paula Daniels yea a lot of good kid rock songs you won't find on any music streaming platforms because of his strong use of profanity unfortunately
blakedavis0723
Same it was my first album. The best in my opinion
THE RICAN REDNECK
Ditto my brother, my dad is still alive I've kind of firgiven him but when he talks about money coming 1st and business
kevin hayt
It's a great song.... I was in my 30's when this came out. I met Bob quite a few times. I seen him when he was doing things with too short. Yes the lyrics of this song does hit home, and most definitely it took a lot out of him. I used to follow his tours around when he wasn't even heard of. This man has many talents and can play any instrument. R.I.P. Joe C
BrotherMoe
This album is so underrated. It helped me alot. His best songs are on here and explains Kid Rock so well. His passion. His progress. His growth. His love and his pain. This song makes me cry.
Mike Voss
Yes, "Born 2 B a Hick" is such a deep and complex song. It resonates with everyone on a spiritual level