Discography:
1995 - Sleater-Kinney (Chainsaw)
1996 - Call the Doctor (Chainsaw)
1997 - Dig Me Out (Kill Rock Stars)
1999 - The Hot Rock (Kill Rock Stars)
2000 - All Hands on the Bad One (Kill Rock Stars)
2002 - One Beat (Kill Rock Stars)
2005 - The Woods (Sub Pop)
2015 - No Cities to Love (Sub Pop)
2019 - The Center Won't Hold (Mom+Pop)
2021 - Path of Wellness (Mom+Pop)
The Last Song
Sleater-Kinney Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Is the last song I'll ever do
For you, about me
'Cause your games are through
I won't think, I won't breathe
I won't even close my eyes to dream
I'd starve you right out of me
If I knew what else to eat
The last time you'd ever hurt me
You said this would be the last time I'd ever cry
Last time, I didn't know
How was I supposed to know
This time, I found it
I know how to scream
I don't owe you anything
I'm not part of you
You can't take away everything
I'm not part of you
This song, your song
Is the only song I'll ever do
About you, for me
So I can stay alive
I can't think, I can't breathe
I can't even close my eyes to dream
I need you out of me
Before I turn into you
I can't stand to look at you
Until you remember everything
I can't be
What you are
What you think
What you do
I know what it means when
I look at you, I look at you
This time, I'm looking and telling on you
I don't owe you anything
I'm not part of you
One time don't mean anything
I am coming after you
Can you feel me coming after you?
Can you feel I'm right behind you?
Can you hear me telling on you?
Can you feel me tearing outta you?
This song, your song
Is the last song I'll ever do
For you, about me
'Cause your games are through
This time, I don't feel bad
For anything I've ever said
And this time, I want them to know what you did
In Sleater-Kinney's song The Last Song, the lyrics speak of a toxic relationship that has come to an end. The persona in the song seems empowered, done with playing games and ready to let go of the hurt and pain caused by the other person. The repetition of "This time" suggests a finality in the situation and a sense of closure for all involved. The persona is determined to remove the other person from their life and not become like them in any way. There is a sense of anger and frustration that the other person has caused and a desire to reveal their true nature to others. The repetition of "Can you feel me" is a threat, implying that they will come after the other person and expose their actions.
The lyrics in this song are powerful and speak to the emotions of anyone who has ever been hurt by someone they loved. It highlights the pain and desperation that many people feel when they are in toxic relationships and the release when they finally gain the strength to walk away. The use of repetition in the song creates a sense of finality, as if the persona is closing the door on the past and moving forward with their life.
Line by Line Meaning
This song, your song
This song is about you and your actions
Is the last song I'll ever do
I won't write or sing about you anymore
For you, about me
I've written this song for you to understand my feelings
'Cause your games are through
I'm done with your manipulative behavior
I won't think, I won't breathe
I'll cut you off completely, even in my thoughts
I won't even close my eyes to dream
I'll avoid any memory or longing for you
I'd starve you right out of me
I'll remove all traces of you from my life
If I knew what else to eat
I'm searching for a way to move on
You said this would be
You promised that this was the end
The last time you'd ever hurt me
The final time you'd bring me pain
You said this would be the last time I'd ever cry
You claimed this was the end of my tears
Last time, I didn't know
I was naive the last time we had a falling out
How was I supposed to know
I wasn't aware of the outcome of our previous argument
This time, I found it
I'm now aware of the truth
I know how to scream
I know how to express myself and stand up to you
I don't owe you anything
I have nothing to do with you anymore
I'm not part of you
I'm not connected to you in any way
You can't take away everything
You have no control over my life
One time don't mean anything
One argument doesn't define me
I am coming after you
I'm seeking justice for your actions
This song, your song
This song is dedicated to you
Is the only song I'll ever do
This is the last time I'll sing about you
About you, for me
This song is for me to heal and move on
So I can stay alive
This is essential for my well-being
I need you out of me
I can't have any part of you inside me
Before I turn into you
I refuse to become like you
I can't stand to look at you
You represent everything I resent
Until you remember everything
You need to acknowledge your actions and their consequences
I can't be
I refuse to be associated with you
What you are
Your negative traits define you
What you think
Your destructive thought patterns influence you
What you do
Your harmful actions reveal who you really are
I know what it means when
I'm fully aware of the implications
I look at you, I look at you
When I see you or think of you
This time, I'm looking and telling on you
This time, I'm exposing your behavior and holding you accountable
Can you feel me coming after you?
Are you aware of my pursuit of justice?
Can you feel I'm right behind you?
Are you aware of my presence and determination?
Can you hear me telling on you?
I'm publicly calling out your actions
Can you feel me tearing outta you?
I'm effectively removing you from my life
This time, I don't feel bad
I'm not guilty or remorseful
For anything I've ever said
I refuse to apologize for speaking up
And this time, I want them to know what you did
I'm not staying silent and want to expose your wrongdoing
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: CARRIE RACHEL BROWNSTEIN, CORIN LISA TUCKER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind