Not What You Want
Sleater-Kinney Lyrics

The first few lyrics of Sleater-Kinney's song, Not What You Want, sets the tone of the song. It starts with the singer, the singer, seeing Johnny at the store and inviting him to come with her- perhaps on a drive. When she asks Johnny what's wrong, he throws the question back to her. The next lines, "She's on fire now, You think you wanna watch, I think you'd better not," can be interpreted in different ways. The "she" in this may be referring to the singer's emotions- raging and intense like a fire. "You think you wanna watch, I think you'd better not," could mean that the singer is warning Johnny that this drive will not be a leisurely ride. As she takes control of the car, the singer tells Johnny that her heart is pounding with steel. Essentially, she's saying that she's doing whatever it takes to escape or make sense of her tumultuous feelings. The repeated refrain of "It's not what you want it's everything" sums up the message of the song. The singer acknowledges that what she's doing- driving recklessly to find her peace of mind- isn't what others may want for her. But she also acknowledges that it's everything to her- that in this moment, it's the only thing that matters.

Overall, the essence of the song is the juxtaposition between what someone else might think is appropriate or right for you, and what you know deep down is best for you. This freedom of choice might not meet the approval of others, but to the singer, it's an essential part of her self-discovery. The song's tempo complements the lyrics' tone with its fast and adrenaline-fueled pace. Through this, the band evokes a sense that the singer needs to find a way out of a situation she can't control- or at least get some clarity.