Autonomy
Samm Henshaw feat. Bonkaz Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Need laws of my own
No foreign guidance to direct me.
This place is my home
Built here to protect me.
So tell me why
I′m running back to your authority.
You move my mind
From the weakest part of me.

I don't need nothing more
Than the time of day
With the freedom to fall
And fall astray.
No, no
I don′t wanna be a slave
No, no
I don't wanna be a slave
A slave to what we've done.
I dont wanna be a slave
To save
No I dont wanna be a slave
No, no, nono
No matter what we′ve been told
Gotta keep moving on.
We′ll keep breaking the boat
Till the boundries gone.
So tell me why
Our voices cannot be heard.
And who decides
Just what we've left to learn.
I don′t need nothing more
Than the time of day
With the freedom to fall
And fall astray.
No, no
I don't wanna be a slave
No, no
I don′t wanna be a slave
A slave to what we've done
I don′t wanna be a slave
To save me when we don't
No I don't want to be a slave
"Yo, see I don′t wanna be restricted
They can follow me, but I don′t follow policies
I'm different
See, I′m the first version of myself
I ain't working with the world
I′m just working while they're lurking tryin the surface on the shelf
Got no purpose, they′re just planning in the .?. like it's hell
Close the curtains, .?.
And I'm suddenly myself
I don′t understand what everybody′s tryin' to be
While you just sit in the .?., I′m in the driver's seat"
And who are we to say
That this is the way to go.
And every freedom makes
A choice to take control.
And who are we to say
That this the way to go.
When every freedom makes
A choice to take control.
I don′t wanna be a slave
No, no
I don't wanna be a slave
A slave to what we′ve done
I don't wanna be a slave
No, no, no
To save me when you don't

No, I don′t wanna be a slave
No, no, nono

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Samm Henshaw's song "Autonomy" highlight the idea of having independence and the desire to have control over one's life. The song emphasizes the need for self-determination, rather than following the rules of others. In the first verse, Henshaw sings about needing "laws of [his] own," rather than foreign guidance to direct him. He feels that he has built a home where he can protect himself, but is still drawn to the authority of others. In the chorus, he repeats that he doesn't want to be a slave, either to what society has done or to the idea of saving him when it's not necessary.

The second verse introduces Bonkaz, who brings his own perspective to the song. He talks about how he doesn't want to be restricted and refuses to follow policies, insisting that he is his own person. He makes a point of saying that he doesn't understand why everyone is trying to be like someone else, while he is driving his own journey. The repetition of the chorus reinforces the idea that everyone should have autonomous control over their lives, without being forced into slavery.

Overall, "Autonomy" is a call for independence and freedom. The lyrics ask questions about who decides what is right and the importance of choosing your own path. The song encourages listeners to appreciate the value of self-determination and not be slaves to societal norms or outside authority.

Line by Line Meaning

Need laws of my own
I require my own set of regulations to live by.

No foreign guidance to direct me.
I do not need external directives to guide me.

This place is my home
I belong here, in this space.

Built here to protect me.
This place was constructed to keep me safe.

So tell me why I′m running back to your authority.
Why do I keep returning to your control?

You move my mind From the weakest part of me.
You influence me in a way that strengthens me.

I don't need nothing more Than the time of day With the freedom to fall And fall astray.
All I require is the opportunity to make mistakes and learn from them.

I don′t wanna be a slave No, no I don't wanna be a slave A slave to what we've done.
I do not wish to be held captive to our past actions.

I dont wanna be a slave To save No I dont wanna be a slave No, no, nono
I refuse to be enslaved in order to rescue myself or others.

No matter what we’ve been told Gotta keep moving on.
Despite what we have been taught, we must continue forward.

We′ll keep breaking the boat Till the boundries gone.
We will persist in pushing beyond the limits until they no longer exist.

So tell me why Our voices cannot be heard.
Why are we unable to express ourselves clearly?

And who decides Just what we've left to learn.
Who determines the knowledge and understanding we have yet to acquire.

I don′t wanna be a slave No, no I don't wanna be a slave A slave to what we've done
I am steadfast in my refusal to be subjugated by our past deeds.

I don′t wanna be a slave To save me when we don't No I don't want to be a slave
I do not want to be taken captive in an effort to rescue me, especially if the effort is insincere.

"Yo, see I don′t wanna be restricted They can follow me, but I don′t follow policies I'm different See, I′m the first version of myself I ain't working with the world I′m just working while they're lurking tryin the surface on the shelf Got no purpose, they′re just planning in the .?. like it's hell Close the curtains, .?. And I'm suddenly myself I don′t understand what everybody′s tryin' to be While you just sit in the .?., I′m in the driver's seat"
I refuse to be limited by external regulations or expectations. I am an individual and I operate independently. I am not working for society, but rather pursuing my own goals. I ignore the voices telling me what to do and remain unapologetically true to myself.

And who are we to say That this is the way to go.
Why should we be tasked with determining the proper course of action?

And every freedom makes A choice to take control.
Every opportunity to exercise our rights is a chance to assert our power.

And who are we to say That this the way to go.
Why do we assume that we know what is best for ourselves and others?

When every freedom makes A choice to take control.
Every expression of individual liberty is an act of seizing power.

I don′t wanna be a slave No, no I don't wanna be a slave A slave to what we′ve done
I am unwilling to be held captive to the consequences of our past actions.

I don′t wanna be a slave No, no, no To save me when you don't No, I don′t wanna be a slave No, no, nono
I do not wish to be taken captive in order to save me, particularly if the intent is not genuine.

Writer(s): Samm Henshaw, Joe Murphy, Jonty Howard

Contributed by Brooklyn J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

TRACKS