Problems
Sex Pistols (Live) Lyrics

Too many problems
The singer is faced with numerous issues.

Oh why am I here
The singer questions their purpose or reason for being in a situation.

I need to be me
The singer wants to be true to themselves and their identity.

'Cause you're all too clear
The artist is surrounded by people who are too predictable.

And I can see
The artist has a clear view or perception of what is happening around them.

There's something wrong with you
The singer thinks that there is a problem with the people around them.

But what do you expect me to do?
The singer questions what they can do to fix the problem.

At least I gotta know what I wanna be
The artist is certain about their desired identity.

Don't come to me if you need pity
The artist does not want to be approached by those who are seeking sympathy.

Are you lonely you got no one
The artist questions if someone is lacking companionship.

You get your body in suspension
It's unclear what this line means exactly, but it could imply that the person is stuck in a state of limbo - neither progressing nor regressing in life.

That's no problem, problem
The artist is suggesting that being in suspension is not a big issue, or it's not the main problem here.

Problem, the problem is you
The singer emphasizes that the problem stems from the people around them, not themselves.

Eat your heart out on a plastic tray
This line could be interpreted in many ways, but it's likely saying that people are consuming things that are not fulfilling or satisfying (like eating your heart out on a plastic tray).

You don't do what you want
The person being referred to is not able to do what makes them happy.

Then you'll fade away
By not doing what they desire, this person will eventually lose their spark or enthusiasm for life.

You won't find me working
The artist does not want to live a standard or mundane life.

Nine to five
This phrase refers to a typical work schedule - the singer does not want to do this.

It's too much fun being alive
The singer is enjoying life and does not want to waste it working a traditional job.

I'm using my feet for my human machine
The artist is using their own body to achieve their goals or dreams.

You won't find me living for the screen
The artist does not want to live an artificial or virtual life, but instead wants to live a real and authentic one.

Are you lonely all your needs catered
The artist is questioning if someone who seemingly has everything they want is still lonely.

You got your brains dehydrated
This could mean that someone is mentally exhausted, bored or that their brain is not being challenged enough.

The problem is you
This is a repeating theme in the song, where the artist emphasizes that the issue lies with the people around them.

I ain't equipment, I ain't automatic
The singer is asserting their individuality and uniqueness, and that they are not like everybody else.

You won't find me just staying static
The singer will not remain in one position, and they will keep pushing themselves forward.

Don't you give me any orders
The singer does not want to be told what to do or how to behave.

For people like me
This phrase suggests there is a group of people who are similar to the artist in terms of their mindset or identity.

There is no order
For people like the artist, there is no sense of a pre-determined path or rules.

Bet you thought you had it all worked out
The singer is challenging the notion that the person they are addressing has everything figured out.

Bet you thought you knew what I was about
The singer is challenging the person's perceptions or assumptions about them.

Bet you thought you'd solved all your problems
The artist is suggesting that the person they are addressing overestimated their ability to solve their problems.

But you are the problem
The artist is making a direct accusation to the person they are talking to, holding them responsible for the problem.

What you gonna do with your problem
This line might suggest that the person responsible for the problem has to find a way to solve it themselves.

They know a doctor
This line is unclear but could imply that the person being referred to is mentally ill.

Gonna take you away
This line might mean that the doctor will take the person to a mental institution or rehab center.

And throw away the key
This line suggests that the person won't be coming back - either because they need to get well, or because they are locked away for good.

They don't want you
This line could imply that the person is not welcome in society, or perhaps that some people are trying to distance themselves from this person.

And they don't want me
This line complements the previous one, suggesting that both the person and the singer have been cast aside by society.

The problem is you
The artist reiterates that the problem stems from the people around them, not themselves.

You got a problem
The artist is telling the person directly that they are the issue.

Problem
This word repeats several times throughout the song, emphasising the issues that the singer is facing and the people responsible for them.