Inside of Me
The Cartel Lyrics

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My inner me (inner me)
my enemy (my enemy)
Im thinking you know you're my ecstasy
Your taking advantage of my empathy
You conflict me (inside)
Your heart hits me (inside, oh)
You're the city (all lights)
Don't do this to me (all lies)

Mmm, Do you see me
Do you got my number can you reach me
I don't wanna see you go, can't see you leaving
The problems isolated all up deep within me
Rei Ayanami, I be feeling like a repeat
When I'm in love I be giving girls a freebie
And in the end I can't even tell if they see me
Keep going backwards like a moonwalk with a hee hee
I repeat, I repeat, I don't know you
But these butterflies Im feeling gotta go too
And though I wanna stay here and behold you
I gotta be honest and so do you

Are you annoyed of my paranoia
Do you not know of
My love
I am annoyed of my paranoia
But understand the message you receiving
I'm terrified of being succeeded

My inner me (inner me)
my enemy (my enemy)
Im thinking you know you're my ecstasy
Your taking advantage of my empathy
You conflict me (inside)
Your heart hits me (inside, oh)
You're the city (all lights)
Don't do this to me (all lies)

Do you see me
Can you reach me
See me
Its ok to feel like this
Its ok to feel like this
Its ok to feel like this
Its ok to feel like this
Its ok
Its ok
Its ok

My inner me (inner me)
my enemy (my enemy)
Im thinking you know you're my ecstasy
Your taking advantage of my empathy
You conflict me (inside)
Your heart hits me (inside, oh)
You're the city (all lights)
Don't do this to me

My inner me (Can you see me)
my enemy me (Can you reach me)
Im thinking you know you're my ecstasy
Your taking advantage of my empathy
You conflict me
Your heart hits me

You're the city
Don't do this to me

Overall Meaning

The Cartel's song Inside of Me portrays the inner conflict of a person in love with someone who takes advantage of their empathy while the singer battles their own demons of paranoia and fear of being succeeded. The lyrics, "My inner me, my enemy, I'm thinking you know you're my ecstasy" illustrate how the singer feels torn between their inner self and their love interest. The line "Your taking advantage of my empathy" reveals how the singer feels that their love interest manipulates their kindness and makes them vulnerable. "You conflict me, your heart hits me" refers to the singer's struggle to navigate their own emotions after being hurt by someone they love.

The song's bridge "Do you see me, can you reach me" questions the love interest's genuine feelings and whether they will leave or stay. The singer shares their vulnerability by confessing their fear of being left alone and not being noticed, as heard in the lines "Are you annoyed of my paranoia, I'm terrified of being succeeded." These lyrics add depth to the song, showing the emotional layers and struggle of the singer.

Overall, The Cartel's Inside of Me is a great song that resonates with anyone who's experienced the emotional turbulence of being in love while battling their own insecurities.

Line by Line Meaning

My inner me (inner me)
The innermost part of myself

my enemy (my enemy)
The part of myself that causes inner conflict

Im thinking you know you're my ecstasy
You are my source of happiness and pleasure

Your taking advantage of my empathy
You are using my compassion for your own gain

You conflict me (inside)
You cause inner turmoil and struggle

Your heart hits me (inside, oh)
Your emotions affect me deeply

You're the city (all lights)
You are the bright and exciting environment that surrounds me

Don't do this to me (all lies)
Do not deceive or manipulate me

Do you see me
Are you aware of my presence

Do you got my number can you reach me
Can you contact me when needed

I don't wanna see you go, can't see you leaving
I don't want to lose you and cannot bear the thought of your departure

The problems isolated all up deep within me
The issues I face are internal and deeply ingrained within me

Rei Ayanami, I be feeling like a repeat
I feel like I am stuck in a repetitive cycle, like the character Rei Ayanami from the anime Neon Genesis Evangelion

When I'm in love I be giving girls a freebie
When I am in love, I tend to give too much of myself without expecting anything in return

And in the end I can't even tell if they see me
I am uncertain if they truly understand and appreciate me

Keep going backwards like a moonwalk with a hee hee
I feel like I am regressing or moving backwards, like Michael Jackson's signature dance move

I don't know you
I am unsure of your intentions and true character

But these butterflies Im feeling gotta go too
I need to overcome my nervousness and anxiety

And though I wanna stay here and behold you
I want to stay and admire you

I gotta be honest and so do you
I need to be truthful and upfront, and I expect the same from you

Are you annoyed of my paranoia
Do you find my mistrust and suspicion bothersome

Do you not know of
Are you unaware of

My love
My deep affection and attachment to you

But understand the message you receiving
But please comprehend what I am trying to convey

I'm terrified of being succeeded
I am afraid of being replaced or surpassed