Anxiety
The Ramones Lyrics
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Anxiety, anxiety keeps me happy.
Always stiff, all day long.
Nothing's right till it's all wrong.
It makes no sense until I'm tense.
Always laughing at your expense.
Anxiety, anxiety keeps me happy.
Always biting on my nails.
Always stiff, it never fails.
Now it on my sweaty clothes.
Anxiety, anxiety keeps me happy.
Anxiety, anxiety keeps me happy.
Always screamin' at someone.
Got a temper like a gun.
Hair trigger personality.
Anxiety keeps me hap-happy.
And I'm crazy, crazy, crazy
In a crazy world.
I'm crazy, crazy, crazy
In a crazy world.
I'm crazy, crazy, crazy
In a crazy world.
I'm crazy, crazy, crazy
In a crazy world.
A-N-X-I-E-T-Y
A-N-X-I-E-T-Y
Anxiety keeps me high,
Cross my heart and hope to die.
Anxiety
Anxiety
Anxiety
Anxiety
The Ramones's song Anxiety is a perfect example of how punk makes the lyric the most important aspect of the song. The repetition of the phrase "anxiety keeps me happy" is a clear articulation of a dark truth that is often hidden- that anxiety and mental health issues can be a sort of comfort zone, that being anxious can be more familiar or even more desirable state of mind than feeling relaxed or happy. The song's intense energy creates a feeling of being trapped, of being stuck in an unyielding mental space where the singer is always tense and never comfortable. The lyrics themselves are quite evocative with lines such as "Always biting on my nails. Always stiff, it never fails. Now it on my sweaty clothes." The imagery of the sweat and the biting nails create a visceral feeling of anxiety that causes discomfort while also evoking a sense of recognition for anyone who has ever struggled with anxiety or depression.
It is important to note that the song's title and lyrics are not meant to glamorize or promote anxiety as an attractive way of living. Instead, the song is a portrayal of how people who deal with anxiety can find themselves caught in a cycle of negative thoughts and behaviors that feed off of the anxiety. A cycle that becomes difficult to break out of. The song also touches on the idea of being misunderstood and not fitting in, a common experience for people who are dealing with mental health issues. All in all, Anxiety speaks to the universal human experience of struggling with mental health issues and the need to find ways of coping with that struggle.
Line by Line Meaning
Anxiety, anxiety keeps me happy.
The feeling of nervousness or worry gives me a sense of satisfaction that I crave.
Always stiff, all day long.
I am often unable to relax or loosen up and am tense for extended periods.
Nothing's right till it's all wrong.
I feel that everything is incorrect or not in order until it goes entirely wrong.
It makes no sense until I'm tense.
I cannot comprehend something until I am nervous or anxious about it.
Always laughing at your expense.
I find amusement in someone else's misfortune or pain.
Always biting on my nails.
I have a habit of gnawing on my nails, indicating my anxious personality.
It never fails, now it's on my sweaty clothes.
Despite my attempts to keep my anxiety under control, it still manages to affect my life and manifest itself in unexpected ways.
Always screaming at someone.
I have a tendency to shout or raise my voice, particularly when feeling nervous or anxious, and sometimes direct it at others.
Got a temper like a gun.
I have a problematic, unpredictable temper that could go off at any moment like a gun.
Hair trigger personality.
My emotional and behavioural reactions to situations are volatile and occur quickly and unexpectedly.
And I'm crazy, crazy, crazy, In a crazy world.
My anxious tendencies may make me seem unstable, but I believe it's because I am in a situation or world that is equally hectic.
A-N-X-I-E-T-Y. Anxiety keeps me high, Cross my heart and hope to die.
I spell 'anxiety' to stress it's importance to me, and it keeps me 'high' in a sense of keeping me excited and stimulated, using a solemn vow on my heart to emphasise its impact on me.
Anxiety. Anxiety. Anxiety. Anxiety.
The repeated use of the word emphasises how it dominates and influences my life, and how it's become a central aspect of my being.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: GARRETT UHLENBROCK, MARKY RAMONE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind