The follow-up was Darkest Days. Despite several strong singles including Save Yourself, It failed to sell as well as its predecessor, although it attracted attention in Canada and Australia, and the band was dropped from Columbia Records. They signed to Koch Records, issuing Stabbing Westward, which was a considerably more commercial effort than previous albums, but failed to make any impact on the mainstream charts. Before a fifth LP could be recorded, Stabbing Westward broke up in late 2002.
Since then, lead singer Hall has formed The Dreaming.
In 2019, the band reformed and began to release new (and archival) materials on COP International Productions intending to release a full-length album in 2022.
The Thing I Hate
Stabbing Westward Lyrics
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Nothing that you hold sacred nothing you believe
Your life is a contradiction
While you thrive on manipulation
I fighht to just hold on to what I believe
I won't become the thing I hate...
I won't become the thing I hate...
I won't become you
You've treated me like I'm a worthless piece of shit
You think like your in control but you make me sick
I want to watch you suffer
The way that you've made me suffer
I want to fuck up everything you've ever loved
But I won't become the thing I hate...
I won't become the thing I hate...
I won't become you
In Stabbing Westward's song "The Thing I Hate," the lyrics express a sense of anger and frustration towards someone who has caused insecurity and doubt in the singer's life. The singer feels as though this person has no beliefs or values that are sacred to them, and instead they thrive on manipulating others. The singer, in contrast, strives to hold onto their own beliefs and refuses to become like the person who has caused them so much pain.
The repetition of "I won't become the thing I hate" emphasizes the singer's determination to not let this person consume and influence them. The lyrics suggest that this person has treated the singer poorly and made them feel worthless. The singer expresses a desire to retaliate and make this person suffer, but ultimately decides to rise above their behavior and not become like them.
The energetic and intense music of the song matches the anger and frustration expressed in the lyrics. The use of distortion, heavy drums, and bass adds to the overall intensity of the song. The lyrics and music work together to create a powerful anthem for anyone who has felt manipulated or mistreated by someone in their life but chooses to rise above it and not let it define them.
Line by Line Meaning
Lost in a world of doubt and insecurity
Feeling uncertain and insecure about the world around us
Nothing that you hold sacred nothing you believe
Lacking any strong beliefs or values
Your life is a contradiction
Living in a way that contradicts one's beliefs or values
While you thrive on manipulation
Taking pleasure in manipulating or controlling others
I fight to just hold on to what I believe
Struggling to hold onto one's beliefs and values
I won't become the thing I hate...
Resisting the urge to become the manipulative and controlling person who causes suffering
You've treated me like I'm a worthless piece of shit
Being treated poorly and undervalued by someone
You think like your in control but you make me sick
Feeling disgusted by someone who tries to control others
I want to watch you suffer
Feeling a desire to see the person who caused suffering experience pain
The way that you've made me suffer
Reflecting on the pain and suffering caused by the manipulative person
I want to fuck up everything you've ever loved
Feeling a strong desire to destroy the things that the person holds dear
But I won't become the thing I hate...
Choosing not to become the manipulative and controlling person, despite the pain and desire for revenge
I won't become you
Refusing to become like the person who caused suffering
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: ANDY KUBISZEWSKI, CHRISTOPHER HALL, JAMES ERIC SELLERS, MARCUS ELIOPULOS, WALTER FLAKUS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind