Question Existing
Rihanna Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Loosen the buttons and undo my skirt
Stare at myself in the mirror
Pick me apart piece by piece
Sorrow decrease
Pressure release, I put in work
Did more than called upon, more than deserved
When it was over, did I wind up hurt? (Yes)But it taught me before a decision ask this question first
Who am I living for?
Is this my limit?
Can I endure some more?
Chances I'm given, question existing
Who am I living for?
Is this my limit?
Can I endure some more?
Chances I'm given, question existing
Take off my coat
Show them that under here
I'm just like you, do the mistakes
I may make me a fool or a human with flaws
Admit that I'm lost
Round of applause
Take the abuse
Sometimes it feels like they want me to lose
It's entertainment is that an excuse? (No)
But the question that lingers whether "win or lose" is
Who am I living for?
Is this my limit?
Can I endure some more?
Chances I'm given, question existingWho am I living for?
Is this my limit?
Can I endure some more?
Chances I'm given, question existing
Dear Diary
It's Robyn
Entertain is something I do for a living
It's not who I am, I'd like to think that I'm pretty normal
I laugh, I get mad, I hurt
I think guys suck sometimes
But when you're in the spotlight
Everything seems good (ooh yeah)
Sometimes I feel like I have it worse 'cause
I have to always keep my guard up
I don't know who to trust
I don't know who wants to date me for who I am
Or who wants to be my friend for who I really am
Who am I living for?
Is this my limit?
Can I endure some more?
Chances I'm given, question existing
Who am I living for?
Is this my limit?
Can I endure some more?
Chances I'm given, question existing
In Rihanna's song Question Existing, the singer reflects on her life and asks herself some tough questions. She talks about taking off her clothes and looking at herself in the mirror, picking herself apart piece by piece. She talks about the pressure she feels to perform and put in extra work, even when it's not necessary. She also acknowledges that sometimes the entertainment industry can be abusive and that being in the spotlight can make it hard to know who to trust.
Throughout the song, Rihanna is grappling with some serious questions about her identity and her place in the world. She wonders who she's living for and whether she can endure more challenges. She repeatedly asks herself whether she's reached her limit and whether she's truly happy with the choices she's made. Ultimately, the song is a powerful meditation on self-reflection and the importance of questioning our assumptions and behaviors.
One interesting fact about Question Existing is that it was written by a group of songwriters including Pharrell Williams and Chad Hugo, who are also known as The Neptunes. The song was featured on Rihanna's fourth album, Rated R, which was released in 2009. The album was a departure from Rihanna's earlier work, with a darker, more personal tone. Question Existing is one of the standout tracks on the album and is often cited as one of Rihanna's most introspective songs.
Line by Line Meaning
Take off my shirt
Letting go off of things that are holding me back
Loosen the buttons and undo my skirt
Releasing myself from societal norms and expectations
Stare at myself in the mirror
Confronting my insecurities and self-doubts
Pick me apart piece by piece
Analyzing myself and finding areas for improvement
Sorrow decrease
Feeling less sad and more liberated
Pressure release, I put in work
Finding solace in hard work and dedication
Did more than called upon, more than deserved
Going above and beyond without expecting anything in return
When it was over, did I wind up hurt? (Yes)
Reflecting on past experiences and realizing the pain they caused
But it taught me before a decision ask this question first
Learning from my mistakes and making better choices in the future
Who am I living for?
Questioning my purpose and identity
Is this my limit?
Wondering if I can handle more hardships and challenges
Can I endure some more?
Asking myself if I have the capability to persevere through tough times
Chances I'm given, question existing
Contemplating the opportunities I have been given and if they align with my true desires
Take off my coat
Being vulnerable and showing my true self
Show them that under here
Revealing the layers that make up who I am
I'm just like you, do the mistakes
Acknowledging that I am human and make mistakes
I may make me a fool or a human with flaws
Recognizing that making mistakes is part of being human
Admit that I'm lost
Recognizing when I need help and asking for guidance
Round of applause
Appreciating myself for my efforts and accomplishments
Take the abuse
Enduring mistreatment and negativity from others
Sometimes it feels like they want me to lose
Feeling like some people take pleasure in my failures
It's entertainment is that an excuse? (No)
Refusing to allow society's entertainment culture to justify harmful behavior
Who am I living for?
Reiterating the need to question my purpose and identity
Dear Diary
Addressing my innermost thoughts and feelings
It's Robyn
Introducing myself and acknowledging my true identity
Entertain is something I do for a living
Explaining my career and job responsibilities
It's not who I am, I'd like to think that I'm pretty normal
Separating my career from my true self
I laugh, I get mad, I hurt
Acknowledging my emotions and humanness
I think guys suck sometimes
Expressing frustrations with a particular gender
But when you're in the spotlight
Explaining the pressures of fame and public image
Everything seems good (ooh yeah)
Realizing that fame and fortune do not equate to happiness
Sometimes I feel like I have it worse 'cause
Expressing feeling singled out and misunderstood because of my status
I have to always keep my guard up
Acknowledging the need to protect myself from harmful people and situations
I don't know who to trust
Feeling suspicious of others and their intentions
I don't know who wants to date me for who I am
Expressing worries about romantic relationships and superficiality
Or who wants to be my friend for who I really am
Expressing worries about friendships and authenticity
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Robert Shea Taylor, Shawn Carter, Shaffer Smith
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@lordkin-kong8888
I've noticed it consistently now whenever "narcissism" is thrown out there its usually confession through projection.
A narcissist lacks the ability to self reflect..
If you view yourself as perfect in every relationship you've ever been in? You're the narcissist..
If you view relationship problems as something you've never caused? You're the narcissist..
If everything is everybody else's fault but your own? You're the narcissist
If you can't admit when you're wrong? You're the narcissist
I think you know where I'm going with this..
I have one more extraordinary clue to prove you are in fact a narcissist or you have a lot of narcissistic traits..
The female only brought up the opposite sex once throughout the entire song..
And not only that, when she brought it up, she still put a qualifier on her opinion..
She thinks guys sucks "sometimes"😐
After listening to this song and all you've received was her indicting whatever relationship she had at that time?
You're a narcissist, get some help, you clearly didn't listen to the lyrics..
This song is her opinion on fame..
@SLVMLXRDT
This whole album is a whole meaning by itself.
@upscaleavenue
I used to be mesmerized by that interlude as a kid.
@RoseIsAsleep
Same
@johnlo580
rihanna in her prime. who would have thought that this music would still dominate todays tunes
@petersennejohnson2615
When this album came out I was 10. This was one of my favorite songs on the album now that im 24 I understand the lyrics to this song now, such a real song!
@SLVMLXRDT
11 years later and I understand what this song means.
@TDior.
Fr poor Rihanna this song is an plea from a victim !!
@Pauzly
@TDior. Wasn't she a victim in 2009 and this song was released 2007
@tamikagreene6950
Me too
@Nishamama
2024….I remember when this album came out in 2007 and while I heard the popular songs like Umbrella and Disturbia, somehow this gem slipped my attention and I’m just now hearing this song after really listening to Good Girl Gone Bad again in 2024. This and Shut Up and Drive are my faves off the album.