Bad Reputation
Sherk Lyrics

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I don't give a damn 'bout my reputation
You're living in the past it's a new generation
A girl can do what she wants to do
And that's what I'm gonna do
An' I don't give a damn ' bout my bad reputation

Oh no, not me

An' I don't give a damn 'bout my reputation
Never said I wanted to improve my station
An' I'm only feelin' good
When I'm havin' fun
When I don't have to please no one
An' I don't give a damn
'Bout my bad reputation

Oh no, not me
Oh no, not me

I don't give a damn
'Bout my reputation
I've never been afraid of any deviation
An' I don't really care
If I'm strange
I ain't gonna change
An' I'm never gonna care
'Bout my bad reputation

Oh no, not me
Oh no, not me

Break it down!

*groovy guitar*

An' I don't give a damn
'Bout my reputation
The world's in trouble
There's no communication
An' everyone can say
What they want to say
It never gets better anyway
So why should I care
'Bout a bad reputation, anyway
Oh no, not me
Oh no, not me

Oh no, Not Me,
oh no, not me

Overall Meaning

In "Bad Reputation," Shrek is singing about his defiance of societal norms and expectations, particularly in regards to his reputation. He proclaims that he doesn't care if people view him as having a "bad reputation," and that he's never been one to conform to societal expectations or strive to improve his social status. Shrek emphasizes that he values his own personal freedom and happiness over pleasing others or conforming to their standards of behavior. The lyrics of this song, then, can be seen as a rallying call for individuality and autonomy, as well as a rejection of the pressure to conform to mainstream expectations.

Line by Line Meaning

I don't give a damn 'bout my reputation
I am not concerned with how people view me

You're living in the past it's a new generation
Your old-fashioned views are no longer relevant in today's society

A girl can do what she wants to do
A female is free to make her own choices

And that's what I'm gonna do
And that's exactly what I intend to do

An' I don't give a damn 'bout my bad reputation
And I really don't care about the negative things people say about me

Never said I wanted to improve my station
I've never expressed a desire to raise my social status

An' I'm only feelin' good
I feel good about myself when

When I'm havin' fun
I'm enjoying myself

When I don't have to please no one
And I'm not trying to make anyone else happy

I've never been afraid of any deviation
I've never been scared of being different from the norm

An' I don't really care
And I don't really mind