Splender released their first album, Halfway Down the Sky, in 1999 with Columbia Records, in addition to two singles, "Yeah, Whatever" and "I Think God Can Explain". In 2002 the band released a second album, To Whom It May Concern, with J Records.
Special
Splender Lyrics
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Better be bad, I've done
Better be told what you want
Better believe in what?
Better to think about it
Better to live without it
Better be told what you want
You think you're so special
You think you're so clean
You think you're just better than me
Well first I chew you in
And then I spit you out
Better to leave, I doubt
Better to talk, about it
Better be told what you want
Better believe in what?
I want to let go
I want to stay home
And be myself
I want to let go
I want to stay home
I'm justified
You think it gets better than this?
But should I take you in?
The lyrics to Splender's song Special seem to be a commentary on societal pressures and the struggle to understand oneself in the face of these external expectations. The repeated refrain of "Better be told what you want/Better believe in what?" suggests a sense of confusion and uncertainty about how to navigate these pressures while still staying true to oneself. The lines "You think you're so special/You think you're so clean/You think you're just better than me" speak to the feeling of inadequacy that can arise when comparing oneself to others who seem to have it all figured out. The song also touches on the idea of self-acceptance and the desire to let go of these pressures and just be oneself, with the lines "I want to let go/I want to stay home/And be myself."
The verse "Well first I chew you in/And then I spit you out/Better to leave, I doubt" can be interpreted as a message to those who judge and criticize others based on their own perceived superiority. It suggests that this behavior is ultimately unproductive and that it's better to simply let go and move on from these negative interactions.
Overall, the lyrics to Special convey a sense of frustration, uncertainty, and longing for authenticity in a world that can feel suffocatingly conformist.
Line by Line Meaning
Better be good, I've said
I have high expectations of you, so you better not disappoint me
Better be bad, I've done
I have made mistakes in the past, so don't judge me too harshly
Better be told what you want
You need to communicate your desires clearly to me
Better believe in what?
I need to know what you stand for and what you believe in
Better to think about it
It's better to carefully consider your options before making a decision
Better to live without it
Sometimes it's better to let things go and not hold onto them
You think you're so special
You have a high opinion of yourself and think you're better than others
You think you're so clean
You believe you are morally superior to others
You think you're just better than me
You believe you are superior to me in every way
Well first I chew you in
I will criticize you harshly and break you down
And then I spit you out
After I'm done with you, you'll be nothing to me
Better to leave, I doubt
I don't think it's better to just walk away from a problem without trying to resolve it first
Better to talk, about it
It's better to communicate openly and honestly about any issues
I want to let go
I want to release my emotional baggage
I want to stay home
I want to stay in my own safe space
And be myself
I want to be true to who I am
I'm justified
I feel like my actions are rational and justifiable in this situation
You think it gets better than this?
Do you really believe you're better off without me?
But should I take you in?
I'm unsure if I should let you back into my life or not
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: WAYMON BOONE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind