Kelefa Sanneh from The New York Times named it amongst some of the excellent songs on the album, calling it "...loud and melancholy[...]". Preston Jones from Slant Magazine stated that it felt "... like the estrogenically inclined counterparts to the boy-toy confection that is the Click Five's Greetings From Imrie House." Ryan Dombal from Entertainment Weekly reviewed the remix version of "Everything I'm Not", stating that the track might finally break them into the US mainstream.
"Everything I'm Not" was released in Australia on 21 November 2005. The song made its debut on the chart on issue date 4 December 2005 at number 13. After a steady climb up the charts for eight weeks, the song peaked at number seven on 22 January 2006, where it stayed for one week before descending to the top 50. The single was certified gold with shipments of over 7,500 copies. In New Zealand, the single made its chart debut at number 10 and remained on the chart for nine weeks, its last position at number 21. In Europe, "Everything I'm Not" peaked at number 14 on Flanders' Ultratip chart at number three.
The Veronicas performed "Everything I'm Not" on television shows such as Dancing With the Stars, The Panel, Sunrise, Live at the Chapel, and the 2006 ARIA Music Awards. They also performed live recordings of the song on Sessions@AOL and in 2009 they performed the song on UK radio station Capital FM to promote the single's release. On 10 September 2009, they performed the song live at the Oxford Art Factory on Oxford Street in Paddington, Sydney as part of the MasterCard's Priceless Music Events.
The "Everything I'm Not" music video features the Veronicas singing with their band while trashing a car of an ex-boyfriend, apparently named Ryan, for cheating on Lisa by painting and smashing the car with paint buckets while the ex-boyfriend looks on from a video camera. When it is too much for the ex-boyfriend to handle, he drops his cell phone on the ground. In the end, it seems like the police catch them doing it and they slam down the camera, smashing the ex-boyfriend's chances of seeing his car for the final time.
Everything I'm Not
The Veronicas Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Don't go changing
That's what you told me from the start
Thought you where something different
That's when it all just fell apart
Like you're so perfect
And I can't measure up
Well I'm not perfect
I was losing myself to somebody else
But now I see
I don't wanna pretend
So this is the end of you and me
Cause the girl that you want
She was tearing us apart
Cause she's everything
Everything I'm not
It's not like I need somebody
Telling me where I should go at night
Don't worry you'll find somebody
Someone to tell how to live their life
Cause your so perfect
And no one measures up
Yeah all by yourself
All messed up
I was losing myself to somebody else
But now I see
I don't wanna pretend
So this is the end of you and me
Cause the girl that you want
She was tearing us apart
Cause she's everything
Everything I'm not
Now wait a minute
Because of you
I never knew all the things that I had
Hey don't u get it
I'm not going anywhere with you tonight
Cause this is my life
I was losing myself to somebody else
But now I see
I don't wanna pretend
So this is the end of you and me
Cause the girl that you want
She was tearing us apart
Cause she's everything
Everything I'm not
But now I see
I don't wanna pretend
So this is the end of you and me
Cause the girl that you want
She was tearing us apart
Cause she's everything
Everything I'm not
The lyrics to The Veronicas's song Everything I'm Not revolve around the idea of self-acceptance and the dangers of trying to fit into someone else's idea of perfection. The singer is addressing her partner who she thought was different from everyone else, but eventually realized was just like everyone else. He wants her to change and be someone she's not, and she's tired of trying to meet those expectations. She realizes that she's been losing herself in the process of trying to be what he wanted and that it's time to end the relationship. The chorus repeats the phrase "Cause she's everything, everything I'm not" to emphasize the differences between her and the other girl that he wants.
The singer acknowledges that the breakup might not be easy for either of them, but she knows it's the right decision. She doesn't need someone telling her how to live her life, and she's confident that she'll find someone who loves her for who she is. The bridge of the song is a key moment where she realizes that the relationship was holding her back from realizing her true potential. She's grateful for the lessons she's learned from the experience, but she's ready to move on and live her life on her own terms.
Overall, the song is an anthem of self-empowerment and a rejection of societal pressures to conform to certain standards of beauty and perfection. It's a reminder that we should all strive to be our authentic selves and not try to change for anyone else.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh no
Expressing distress or regret
Don't go changing
Don't change yourself
That's what you told me from the start
That was your initial promise to me
Thought you were something different
Believed that you were unique and special
That's when it all just fell apart
That's when our relationship broke down
Like you're so perfect
Behaving like you are flawless
And I can't measure up
And I cannot achieve the standard you've set
Well, I'm not perfect
I'm human and have flaws
Just all messed up
I am very troubled
I was losing myself to somebody else
I was changing myself for someone else
But now I see
But now I understand
I don't wanna pretend
I want to be my true self
So, this is the end of you and me
Thus, our relationship is ending
Cause the girl that you want
Because the girl you desire
She was tearing us apart
Was damaging our relationship
Cause she's everything
Because she possesses all the qualities
Everything I'm not
That I don't possess
It's not like I need somebody
I do not need somebody to control me
Telling me where I should go at night
Directing me on where I should be at night
Don't worry, you'll find somebody
Don't worry, you'll find someone else
Someone to tell how to live their life
Someone who will dictate how they should live
Cause your so perfect
Because you think you are flawless
And no one measures up
And no one can match your standards
Yeah all by yourself
Being alone
All messed up
Being very troubled
Now wait a minute
Wait a moment
Because of you
Due to you
I never knew all the things that I had
I was not aware of my possessions
Hey, don't u get it
Hey, don't you understand
I'm not going anywhere with you tonight
I'm not spending tonight with you
Cause this is my life
Because this is my personal journey
But now I see
But now I understand
I don't wanna pretend
I want to be my true self
So, this is the end of you and me
Thus, our relationship is ending
Cause the girl that you want
Because the girl you desire
She was tearing us apart
Was damaging our relationship
Cause she's everything
Because she possesses all the qualities
Everything I'm not
That I don't possess
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JESSICA ORIGLIASSO, LISA ORIGLIASSO, LUKASZ GOTTWALD, MARTIN SANDBERG, RAMI YACOUB
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@lenneth.pe.
Oh no
Don't go changing
That's what you told me from the start
Thought you where something different
That's when it all just fell apart
Like you're so perfect
And I can't measure up
Well I'm not perfect
Just all messed up
I was losing myself to somebody else
But now I see
I don't wanna pretend
So this is the end of you and me
Cause the girl that you want
She was tearing us apart
Cause she's everything
Everything I'm not
It's not like I need somebody
Telling me where I should go at night
Don't worry you'll find somebody
Someone to tell how to live their life
Cause your so perfect
And no one measures up
Yeah all by yourself
All messed up
I was losing myself to somebody else
But now I see
I don't wanna pretend
So this is the end of you and me
Cause the girl that you want
She was tearing us apart
Cause she's everything
Everything I'm not
Now wait a minute
Because of you
I never knew all the things that I had
Hey don't u get it
I'm not going anywhere with you tonight
Cause this is my life
I was losing myself to somebody else
But now I see
I don't wanna pretend
So this is the end of you and me
Cause the girl that you want
She was tearing us apart
Cause she's everything
Everything I'm not
But now I see
I don't wanna pretend
So this is the end of you and me
Cause the girl that you want
She was tearing us apart
Cause she's everything
Everything I'm not
@schiianjhae
2023, March 13 here in the Philippines. Listening to this when I can't sleep still. It reminds me of someone I really cherish. Someone who was very important to me. This just hit right in the feels. Despite this music's funky beat, it perfectly narrates how I felt.
He had someone before me and they shared alot of things. They were each other's almost, perhaps. I was in the picture just one day, probably through his acceptance period and he was telling me how his issues committing was a part of it, other than his priorities at school.
Til eventually, the girl left for good. They were rarely talking, as he said, when I thought I had a glimpse of us too. Only to realize that she's everything I'm not. I know, part of how he wanted to forego me is he's completely moving on from the fragments of her. It just hurts that I wasn't considered of anything at all. Probably I'm being too selfish, "but that wasn't what he told me from the start".
"Thought he were something different, that's when it all just fell apart."
I miss you. I know you won't remember the songs I recommended to you including this...but you've been a part of me, through this song.
@kidkidlm498
SO THEY CAN SINH WHILE THEY LISTEN:
Oh no
Don't go changing
That's what you told me from the start
Thought you where something different
That's when it all just fell apart
Like you're so perfect
And I can't measure up
Well I'm not perfect
Just all messed up
I was losing myself to somebody else
But now I see
I don't wanna pretend
So this is the end of you and me
Cause the girl that you want
She was tearing us apart
Cause she's everything
Everything I'm not
It's not like I need somebody
Telling me where I should go at night
Don't worry you'll find somebody
Someone to tell how to live their life
Cause your so perfect
And no one measures up
Yeah all by yourself
All messed up
I was losing myself to somebody else
But now I see
I don't wanna pretend
So this is the end of you and me
Cause the girl that you want
She was tearing us apart
Cause she's everything
Everything I'm not
Now wait a minute
Because of you
I never knew all the things that I had
Hey don't u get it
I'm not going anywhere with you tonight
Cause this is my life
I was losing myself to somebody else
But now I see
I don't wanna pretend
So this is the end of you and me
Cause the girl that you want
She was tearing us apart
Cause she's everything
Everything I'm not
But now I see
I don't wanna pretend
So this is the end of you and me
Cause the girl that you want
She was tearing us apart
Cause she's everything
Everything I'm not
@KumaMooMoo
19 years since this came out and i'm still addicted to the unique sound of the veronicas.. I'm so looking forward to the new album this year
@memocyrus16
Can't find this kind of music now
@jimmymb20
+memocyrus - Just look for anything that Max Martin is asssociated with. He wrote this song plus songs for the BSB, Pink, Taylor Swift, Katy Perry etc. He's one of the greatest pop song writers in history!
@jacksonblack9408
How much drugs have you taken??
@violetgirl1996
memocyrus tonight alive. search them up.
@vyrrian
violetgirl1996 They were amazing til their newest album :(
@stephaniec.221
Vyrrian Whats wrong with their new album?
@siesongz
Funny how I haven't heard their songs in years and I stilll remember the lyrics to every song! <3
@crazddrifterr
***** So true, and I never bought their albums etc, just on australian media so much ahah
@artedesarializ
+Branden Bunny I used limewire hahaha