I Don’t Like It Like This
The Radio Dept. Lyrics

The Radio Dept.'s song "I Don't Like It Like This" is a poignant exploration of depression and the feeling of being trapped in one's own mind. The opening line of "Words fail me all the time" sets the tone for the rest of the song, as the singer struggles to express themselves verbally. They don't want to talk, but they feel compelled to keep going as if going through the motions will help them escape their own thoughts. The line "I'm dying here and you keep walking" adds a layer of isolation to the singer's situation, as they feel ignored or overlooked by those around them.

The chorus provides a glimpse into the singer's mindset: they don't like feeling this way, but they can't seem to escape it. They don't have an answer to the question of "why are you asking me this?" because they don't have an answer to their own subterranean struggles. They're trying to cope, but the weight of their own thoughts is too much. The line "Panic is what panic feels like" is an apt description of the cyclical nature of depression and anxiety, as the singer feels trapped in a state of constant panic.

The final lines of the chorus provide a glimmer of hope, as the singer suggests that staying silent might be a way to find peace. They don't want to speak out because it feels like an act of violence. This is a powerful metaphor for the way that our own internal struggles can feel like an attack on our sense of self. By the end of the song, the listener is left with a feeling of empathy for the singer and a sense of the weight of mental illness.