18. Carat Dust
The Wounded Lyrics


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18 Carat Dust

I am disposable, I know.
About the way I look, how laughable, I know.
But what I really am you will never ever know,
Who I really am I will never ever show.
What I am my friend that's what I choose to be.
You say I'm stupid, but stupidity is bliss.
That only the things I know are all I'm gonna miss.
The ones I for are all I want to know.
You can put your jokes on me, that's all you ever see.
I'm glad that I'm the one for your self-confidence to grow.

Anyway we are heading to the same.
You will end in a grave, like I will to.
You will end in dust my friend, the same dust that I am.
And when you end in time, how laughable I am.




When we end in time how laughable we are.
When we end in time how hilarious we'll be.

Overall Meaning

The Wounded's "18 Carat Dust" is a song about superficiality and the perception of others based on appearance. The singer acknowledges that people may view him as disposable and laughable solely based on his looks, but he also understands that this is not who he really is. He chooses to keep his true self hidden, and even though people may call him stupid or make jokes at his expense, he sees their attitudes as a means for their own self-confidence to grow.


The song takes a deeper turn when the singer reminds us that no matter how we are perceived in life, in the end, we will all end up in the same place - as dust. Death takes away the facade of the superficial world we live in and shows us that we are all the same, and that ultimately our appearance and what others thought of us won't matter. The final lines of the song - "When we end in time how hilarious we'll be" - suggest that the realization of our common fate will ultimately make all superficial differences about ourselves seem silly.


Overall, "18 Carat Dust" is a poignant commentary on society's obsession with appearances and the superficial qualities that we use to define ourselves and others. It suggests that we should look beyond the surface and recognize the true nature of people, ourselves included.


Line by Line Meaning

I am disposable, I know.
I am aware that I am viewed as easy to discard or replace.


About the way I look, how laughable, I know.
I acknowledge that some people may find my appearance ridiculous or amusing.


But what I really am you will never ever know,
My true self and identity will forever remain a mystery to you.


Who I really am I will never ever show.
I have no intention of revealing my authentic self to anyone.


What I am my friend that's what I choose to be.
I have decided to present myself in a certain way and that is my choice.


You say I'm stupid, but stupidity is bliss.
You may call me foolish, but sometimes ignorance can bring happiness.


That only the things I know are all I'm gonna miss.
I will only regret not knowing those things that I have already learned.


The ones I for are all I want to know.
I am only interested in gaining knowledge about things that I care about.


You can put your jokes on me, that's all you ever see.
You may mock or make fun of me, but you only perceive me on a surface level.


I'm glad that I'm the one for your self-confidence to grow.
I find satisfaction in the fact that my presence makes you feel more self-assured.


Anyway we are heading to the same.
Ultimately, we are all moving towards the same destination.


You will end in a grave, like I will to.
You will meet the same fate as I will - death.


You will end in dust my friend, the same dust that I am.
We will both decompose into the same particles and return to the earth.


And when you end in time, how laughable I am.
When you die, you will realize how insignificant the things you once ridiculed actually were.


When we end in time how laughable we are.
Our mortal existence and struggles will seem trivial and amusing in hindsight.


When we end in time how hilarious we'll be.
The absurdity of our finite lives will seem comical once we are no longer bound to them.




Contributed by Isabelle B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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