I Wanna Be Somebody
W.A.S.P. Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

You say you don't want to run and hide
A face that no one knows
And everyone you meet, you're gonna show
You're nobody's slave, nobody's chains are holdin' you
You hold your fist up high
And rule the zoo

Oh, you just got to be
Up high where the whole world's watchin' me
'Cause I, I got the guts to be somebody
To cry out

I wanna be somebody
Be somebody soon
I wanna be somebody
Be somebody too
I wanna be somebody
Be somebody soon
I wanna be somebody
Be somebody too

You say you don't want to starve
Or take the table crumbs that fall
You don't want to beg or plead at all
You don't want no nine to five
Your fingers to the bone
You don't want the rock piles, bloody stones

Oh, you just got to be
Up high where the whole world's watchin' me
'Cause I, I got the guts to be somebody
To cry out

I wanna be somebody
Be somebody soon
I wanna be somebody
Be somebody too
I wanna be somebody
Be somebody soon
I wanna be somebody
Be somebody too

(I want) shiny cars and dirty money
Lots of rock and roll
(I will) live in fame and die in flames
I'm never getting old

I wanna be somebody
Be somebody soon
I wanna be somebody
Be somebody too
I wanna be somebody
Be somebody soon
I wanna be somebody
Be somebody too

I wanna be somebody
Be somebody soon
I wanna be somebody
Be somebody too





I'm gonna be somebody
I'm gonna be somebody

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of W.A.S.P's song "I Wanna Be Somebody" speak of the desire to break free from societal norms and expectations and become a unique individual who is not held back by anyone or anything. The singer asserts their will to be somebody, to be recognized and respected in the world. They refuse to be a slave to anyone or anything, refusing to beg or take scraps from the table. Instead, they want to stand out and show the world their strength and power, holding a fist up high and ruling over their own empire.


The lyrics hymn the struggle to break away from conformity and to forge one's own path, offering a message of strength, courage, and determination. The repetition of the chorus line "I wanna be somebody" reinforces this determination and demands to be taken seriously. The verses highlight the singer's disillusionment with society's expectations, expressing their desire for a life of fame, money, music, and rebellion. The song is, therefore, a powerful anthem of the human spirit and the will to rise above adversity and stand out in a crowded world.


Line by Line Meaning

You say you don't want to run and hide
You want to be seen and known for who you truly are


A face that no one knows
You don't want to blend in with the crowd and be forgotten


And everyone you meet, you're gonna show
You want to leave an impression on everyone you come across


You're nobody's slave, nobody's chains are holdin' you
You refuse to conform to societal norms or expectations


You hold your fist up high
You are confident and unafraid to stand up for yourself


And rule the zoo
You want to take control and be in charge of your own life


Oh, you just got to be
Your desire to be seen and recognized is strong


Up high where the whole world's watchin' me
You want to be in the spotlight and have everyone's attention on you


'Cause I, I got the guts to be somebody
You are self-assured and believe in your ability to make a name for yourself


To cry out
You will proclaim your worth and make your voice heard


I wanna be somebody
Your desire to be someone of importance is unwavering


Be somebody soon
You want to make your dream a reality as soon as possible


I wanna be somebody
You aspire to leave a legacy and be remembered for your accomplishments


Be somebody too
You want to be on the same level as other successful individuals


You say you don't want to starve
You refuse to live a life of poverty or struggle


Or take the table crumbs that fall
You won't settle for less than what you deserve


You don't want to beg or plead at all
You won't rely on the merit of others to succeed


You don't want no nine to five
You won't submit to a mundane or unfulfilling job


Your fingers to the bone
You won't let hard work and dedication go to waste


You don't want the rock piles, bloody stones
You won't let obstacles or challenges stand in the way of your success


(I want) shiny cars and dirty money
You aspire to have material possessions and wealth


Lots of rock and roll
You want to live a vibrant, exciting life


(I will) live in fame and die in flames
You want to be a legendary figure in society and leave a lasting impact


I'm never getting old
You plan to live your life fully and never fade away


I'm gonna be somebody
You are certain that you will achieve your goals and become someone of importance




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Songtrust Ave
Written by: Steve Edward Duren

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found
Comments from YouTube:

@marcovz1857

This is not only a masterpiece from metal from the 80's, it's also an anthem to stand up, raise your head and work your ass off to be SOMEONE! Enough motivation to grind it at the gym or everyday in life to be SOMEONE!!!!

@laurasupko

I agree with you 💯

@torgomax

👍😉👍💯☠

@BastardX13

Then as now. Wasp has a special place in the Metal Pantheon. Blackie s vocals are peerless. Timeless

@eldesgraciado6690

With WASP you don't need a therapist.

@SlickDonaldRichard-rk94

Bring back Donald Trump

@jasonmorgan8110

Motley crue was the guy in high school that rolled a joint after class......WASP was the guy arrested for attempted murder in the senior parking lot.

@ttiwaz4398

The very first album I bought with my savings as an 8 year old girl was W.A.S.P. And now 40 years later it still makes me headbanging.

@EXIDLEGGO1989

Almost 40 years and still Rocks 🎸🎸🎸🎸

@ace-zq8pm

it sure does missy

More Comments

More Versions