Pneumonia
deM atlaS Lyrics
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It's always nice in California
I don't need help but I'm not myself
I don't need help but I'm not myself
I need you like I need Pneumonia
It's always nice in California
I don't need help but I'm not myself
I walk you smelling like debt
Cigarettes, booze are on my breath
I miss you on, I kiss you on
I try to love again
But I'm sick and paired with the wrong person of purses
You pick your poison, pull a gun
And just aim on the annoying in my head
Cause I be coughin' hackin' drinkin' sinkin' in another weekend
Tell me how you feel
Tell me how you really feel
What did I do to you?
What did I do to be black and blue?
Things are much better on the outside looking in
Oh yeah
I need you like I need Pneumonia
It's always nice in California
I don't need help but I'm not myself
I don't need help but I'm not myself
I need you like I need Pneumonia
It's always nice in California
I don't need help but I'm not myself
I don't need help but I'm not myself
A fly flew in my eyes
Pick me up, cause I can't drive
I try to speak light, but miss strike
It's awesome where to hide
You care for me like I'm a child
I'm always playin' around
Don't let me down
Don't let me drown
In all my sick
I know this stick
My home a mess
I be livin' a squabble
My actions are mean in this
Like washin' clean dishes in dirty water
What do you wanna do
Some are drugs, some are pills
Some are thrills
Nothing helps, nothing soothes me
I need you like I need Pneumonia
It's always nice in California
I don't need help but I'm not myself
I don't need help but I'm not myself
I need you like I need Pneumonia
It's always nice in California
I don't need help but I'm not myself
I don't need help but I'm not myself
Baby I'm sad
Like in heavy low
Ready to try
Ready to implode
Maybe I'm sad
Like in heavy low
Ready to try
Maybe I'm sad
Baby I'm sad
Like in heavy low
Ready to try
Ready to implode
Maybe I'm sad
Like in heavy low
Ready to try
Maybe I'm sad
Maybe I'm sad
Don't leave home
Yeah yeah yeah
Livin' must be better on the outside
Livin' must be better on the outside, babe
Thing's I'mma better on the outside babe
Oh oh oh
Yeah yeah
Need you like I need Pneumonia
The lyrics to deM atlaS's song "Pneumonia" are a metaphor for addiction and reliance on someone or something, just like one would rely on medication or an affliction like pneumonia. The line, "I need you like I need pneumonia," directly draws the parallel between the two. The second line of the chorus, "it's always nice in California," could again be a metaphor, but also could be just a throwaway line - California is seen as a place of warmth, sunshine, and freedom, so it's always nice there.
The rest of the verses explore the struggles of addiction, specifically to substances like cigarettes and alcohol. The line "pick your poison, pull a gun and just aim on the annoying in my head" speaks to the fact that addiction can be a way of coping with unpleasant feelings and thoughts, and the singer struggles to stay afloat without his addiction. The repetition of "I don't need help but I'm not myself" throughout the song further emphasizes this point - the singer may not recognize how much he needs help, or he may be too proud or scared to ask for it.
Overall, "Pneumonia" is a powerful song that delves into the complexities of addiction and the need for connection and support. It's a reminder to listeners that there is no shame in asking for help, and that true strength lies in vulnerability and honesty.
Line by Line Meaning
I need you like I need Pneumonia
I need you very much and can't live without you, even though Pneumonia is a serious and deadly disease.
It's always nice in California
California is a beautiful and pleasant place to live in, and everything seems better here.
I don't need help but I'm not myself
I don't want to admit that I need help, but I'm not feeling like myself and need assistance to get better.
I walk you smelling like debt
I am carrying a burden of debt, which affects my emotional state and relationships.
Cigarettes, booze are on my breath
I have been drinking and smoking heavily and it's easily noticeable on my breath.
I miss you on, I kiss you on
I have missed and kissed you constantly, showing how much I truly love you.
I try to love again
Despite my past experiences and trauma, I am still trying to open myself up to love again.
But I'm sick and paired with the wrong person of purses
I feel sick and unwell, both emotionally and physically, and I am paired with someone who is not good for me or my health.
You pick your poison, pull a gun
You choose your own way to deal with your pain and struggles, and it feels dangerous to me.
And just aim on the annoying in my head
You are focusing on the negative thoughts and emotions in my head, which is causing me more distress.
Cause I be coughin' hackin' drinkin' sinkin' in another weekend
I am constantly coughing and hacking due to my smoking and drinking habits, and I feel like I am sinking deeper into depression and sadness every weekend.
Tell me how you feel
I am asking you to be honest and open about your emotions towards me.
What did I do to you?
I am unaware of what I did to hurt you and damage our relationship.
What did I do to be black and blue?
I am not sure what I did to cause physical harm to myself or anyone else.
Things are much better on the outside looking in
Things might not seem so bad to an outsider who is not experiencing my troubles and hardships first hand.
A fly flew in my eyes
I am experiencing uninvited and unwanted disruptions in my life, just like a fly that suddenly appears in my eyes.
Pick me up, cause I can't drive
I need someone to help and support me, as I am not capable of handling things on my own.
It's awesome where to hide
I am looking for a place to hide and escape from my troubles.
You care for me like I'm a child
You show me love and care like I am a child who needs nurturing and support.
I'm always playin' around
I have a tendency to joke or act in a lighthearted manner, even when the situation is serious or sad.
Don't let me down
I am pleading with you not to disappoint me or let me down when I need you the most.
In all my sick
I am very sick, both physically and emotionally.
I know this stick
I am familiar with this feeling of being stuck and unable to move past my pain and suffering.
My home a mess
My home and personal life are in a state of disorder and chaos, reflecting my inner turmoil.
I be livin' a squabble
I am constantly fighting and struggling to survive and make sense of my life.
My actions are mean in this
I am acting in a cruel and hurtful manner because of my inner struggles and pain.
Like washin' clean dishes in dirty water
I am trying to make sense of my life, but it feels like I am cleaning clean dishes in dirty water - an exercise in futility.
Some are drugs, some are pills
I am using different methods, including drugs and pills, to cope with my pain and emotional turmoil.
Some are thrills
I am seeking thrills and excitement to distract myself from my troubles and problems.
Nothing helps, nothing soothes me
Despite my best efforts to find comfort and solace, nothing seems to be helping me feel better.
Baby I'm sad
I am feeling very sad and low.
Like in heavy low
I am feeling extremely low and weighed down by my emotions.
Ready to try
I am ready to try and overcome my struggles, even though it feels difficult and challenging.
Ready to implode
I feel like I might collapse and crumble under the weight of my emotional baggage.
Don't leave home
I am asking you not to leave me or abandon me, even though I might be difficult to be around.
Livin' must be better on the outside
Life might seem better from the outside, but it's hard to tell what struggles other people might be experiencing.
Livin' must be better on the outside, babe
I am expressing my belief that other people's lives are better and easier than mine.
Thing's I'mma better on the outside babe
I believe things would be better for me if I were on the outside like everyone else.
Oh oh oh
This is a musical interlude and does not have any specific meaning.
Yeah yeah
This is a musical interlude and does not have any specific meaning.
Maybe I'm sad
I am questioning whether I am really sad or if there is something else contributing to my emotional state.
Maybe I'm sad
I am still questioning whether I am truly sad or if there is a different explanation for my emotions.
Lyrics © ANT TURN THAT SNARE DOWN
Written by: Joshua Evans Turner, Anthony Jerome Davis, Robert Mandell
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@FreeLeonardPeltierNow
as long as the unneeded 'new money ah' ain't induced by the covert war 'trigger' as exemplified by geoengineering dot org shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee yup. 'NO'
right, deM?
@user-es4jy4fk1g
Most underrated label with the most underrated artists. Oh well, at least us Rhymesayers fans have it to ourselves☺
@blaqshiep4920
And sweeet it is
@Jordan-00-
Saw Dem open for Atmosphere, now I'm a huge fan. He's so good
@mc4906
Same
@ashleyaikins
Same here. He’s so talented
@bradleykossak7573
I've followed this guy for a while. I hope he makes it big, his music is worthy of it.
@blaqshiep4920
i hope he dont... love his sound now
@blaqshiep4920
hes already big in my book and thats what matters to someone like dem atlas. You think he wants to be mainstream?
@bradleykossak7573
@Blaq Shiep Most likely, otherwise he wouldn't have joined a label, created the videos, and advertised and sold them on various websites. I am sure money is a big motivator in his decisions, but who doesn't make decisions based on money. I'm not suggesting that he becomes mainstream, as that would likely lead to the downfall of his music, but someone can still make it big without going mainstream.
@blaqshiep4920
money is different than mainstream. They all deserve to get paid but i dont wanna hear em on the radio. He wont get there unless he makes changes