Scream My Name
Tove Lo Lyrics

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Fist fights, long nights, come home late
Can't sleep, I keep me awake
Flip through the lives on TV
I'll say, for now, I'm happy

Love it when I'm play-pretending
When I can take bullets to the heart
Fuckin' up my happy ending

But I can take bullets to the heart

Breathe and balance and love, I was born on the scene
Now it runs in my blood, yeah, you know what I mean
When I'm dead and gone, will they sing about me?
Dead and gone, will they scream my name?
Scream my name

Wake up, guard up, and I'm bored
Night runs with guns, too hardcore
Don't dare to care about someone
I'm dirt, I'm ice, is that wrong?

Love it when I'm play-pretending
When I can take bullets to the heart
Fuckin' up my happy ending
But I can take bullets to the heart

Breathe and balance and love, I was born on the scene
Now it runs in my blood, yeah, you know what I mean
When I'm dead and gone, will they sing about me?
Dead and gone, will they scream my name?

Breathe and balance and love, I was born on the scene
Now it runs in my blood, yeah, you know what I mean
When I'm dead and gone, will they sing about me?
Dead and gone, will they scream my name?
Scream my name

Breathe and balance and love, I was born on the scene
Now it runs in my blood, yeah, you know what I mean
When I'm dead and gone, will they sing about me?
Dead and gone, will they scream my name?

Breathe and balance and love, I was born on the scene
Now it runs in my blood, yeah, you know what I mean
When I'm dead and gone, will they sing about me?

Dead and gone, will they scream my name?
Scream my name

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "Scream My Name" by Tove Lo depicts the struggle of a person who leads a reckless and wild lifestyle. The song portrays a character who indulges in fist fights, stays awake all night, and flips through television programs to kill time. The singer admits that she is happy but only for the time being. Through the chorus, the character reveals that she loves it when she's play-pretending and could take bullets to the heart, indicating that she is fearless and can take on any challenge.

As the song progresses, the character's struggles continue as depicted in the line "Wake up, guard up, and I'm bored Night runs with guns, too hardcore." The character is bored with her current lifestyle and tries to put up a guard to protect herself, revealing that she does not care about anyone. She believes that being cold-hearted or "dirt, ice" is not wrong. The chorus repeats, highlighting the character's strength and fearless nature, even if it would lead to her "Fucking up" her own happy ending.

The last two lines of the chorus are particularly striking, as the singer longs to be remembered even after she is gone. She asks if people will sing about her or "scream her name" when she is dead and gone. The lyrics highlight the character's desire for recognition and significance in her life, despite her reckless behavior.

Line by Line Meaning

Fist fights, long nights, come home late
My days are long and rough, filled with strife and conflict that extend well into the night.

Can't sleep, I keep me awake
My mind is constantly active, preventing me from getting a proper night's rest.

Flip through the lives on TV
I often find myself aimlessly scrolling through television channels, seeking some form of entertainment or distraction.

I'll say, for now, I'm happy
Despite my struggles and challenges, I try to convince myself and others that I am content in my current situation, at least for the time being.

Love it when I'm play-pretending
I find solace in pretending that everything is okay and that I can withstand any emotional or physical pain thrown my way.

When I can take bullets to the heart
I enjoy the idea of being able to endure intense pain and suffering, as it makes me feel stronger and more resilient.

Fuckin' up my happy ending
In spite of my façade of contentment and well-being, I often find myself making decisions or taking actions that undermine or sabotage my own happiness.

Breathe and balance and love, I was born on the scene
I have always been a person who craves balance and stability in my life, and I try my best to prioritize my own health and well-being.

Now it runs in my blood, yeah, you know what I mean
I have integrated this desire for balance and self-care so fully into my identity that it feels like an inherent part of who I am.

When I'm dead and gone, will they sing about me?
I have a strong desire to leave a lasting impact on the world and be remembered for something significant.

Dead and gone, will they scream my name?
I want my name and my legacy to be so impactful that people cannot help but notice it and be affected by it, even long after I am gone.

Wake up, guard up, and I'm bored
I often feel trapped in my own defensive emotional shell, and this lack of genuine emotional connection leaves me feeling empty and discouraged.

Night runs with guns, too hardcore
The intensity and severity of the struggles and challenges that I face often feel overwhelming, and it sometimes feels like violence and desperation are the only ways to survive.

Don't dare to care about someone
I have become so used to guarding my own emotions and avoiding emotional attachments that the idea of caring about someone else feels risky and uncomfortable.

I'm dirt, I'm ice, is that wrong?
I struggle with self-doubt and insecurity, often feeling like a worthless and insignificant person, but I also try to maintain a sense of detachment and aloofness in response.