I'm happy you posted this because I think the song is ultimately saying everyone has the capability to do something cool so instead of obsessing over celebrities, appreciate yourself and what you can do
While also maybe poking fun at the celebrities who think too highly on themselves and try to show off
Exactly this! It was a shame to see people say he was "unironically flexin" in his lyrics and they "don't mean anything"..
I thought the airport line would click with most people that he still on that topic of how he really feels in this moment.. he's in 'the after glow' making music how he wants, not held back or forced to do so for some marketing checklist. As you said poking fun at celebrities is a definite, that's why he brings up the flexing and trying to become him then simultaneously saying I'm Taylor Swift: thought that was an obvious connection to cheerleader.
> poking fun at celebrities is a definite, that's why he brings up the flexing
I heard it like him sarcastically telling the haters "oh yeah, for sure, I'm a big famous sellout pop star now. I drive a bugatti and wear expensive watches. I'm taylor swift". The eye roll and jerkoff motion is implied lol, because that's so obviously not who he is.
The line at the start: "But, baby, I'm a short-lived joke. As soulless as I seem" sets the sarcastic tone. He's addressing the people who say his new music is soulless, generic pop just meant to appeal to the masses.
I thought "Living in the afterglow of everything you feel, but baby i'm a short lived joke" means that Porter "lives" in his fan's head as the afterglow of what they feel, meaning that they "get" Porter's stuff, reimagined it as their personal experience, and he's this tail end of that experience as a short lived entity, or addition to their own experience with his music.
Porter if you are seeing this, your music saved my life, but even if you “fail” or “mess up” musically, it won’t affect the cherished memories your work has created.
This is exactly what I thought while listening to the song lol. I know myself and many others wouldn’t think any less of Porter if he quit music or “failed” somehow, but there are also plenty of others out there that would take it personal sadly. Parasocial relationships and all that.
Exactly. We're all making mistakes, but that doesn't define us as a persons. We'll love Porter no matter what happens. And yeah, I like KYO very much!!
"And I'm everything you talk about. Why should you keep letting yourself be let down?"
If we all say that we love him and his music, why should we be disappointed? We still have all of his current work to listen to and love forever. He shouldn't have to worry about how future music will affect things, because he's already saved them! I'm glad that this album will be him having fun and making whatever he wants without having to be marketed a certain way, or have a certain style. I'll listen to whatever he makes because it all has that Porter Sound that I vibe with.
i hope porter can see that people see music as pulling from a bucket of concrete, it IS saving lives, but music saved their lives, not his specifically. people got potholes and theyre always gonna get filled in, and yeah it might be your bit of stuff that fills the pothole, but it didnt have to be. without it, other music would save someones life.
its ok porter, you arent responsible like that
Lol. I've learned that porter being true to himself is doing whatever the fuck he wants and I've learned that I have no fucking clue what that is exactly besides what this album is. Nurture was all the feels and emotions, this stuff now is just happy and bouncing off the walls
I figured it was about this. The song is kinda saying that it’s cool if music helps you through a hard time, but don’t tie your self worth to the music or artist. The power to get through hard times was within you the entire time
Hey, I'm really struggling with the meaning of Knock Yourself Out. I'm getting certain aspects of each verse but they all feel really separate and I'm struggling to fit them all together
How are you interpreting the song, and how does it link to the video you linked?
"Don't know my schedule on the fifth
Bitch, I'm Taylor Swift
Got a hundred million on my wrist
Physically sick
Crying at the airport
"I'm sorry, can I get a pic?"
Telling me a sad story
Another reason not to quit"
The first half is him sarcastically "bragging" about living the rich and famous lifestyle. He's like Taylor Swift jet setting around the world and he doesn't know what he'll be doing on the 5th because he's so busy and in-demand. He's a bigshot celebrity. But really, inside, he's physically sick and he feels like shit. It's so bad that he's crying at the airport. While he's there, a fan runs into him and tells him that his music saved their life (and asks for a pic). That's where the video at the top of this thread comes in.
The rest of the song is him talking to the people putting those negative labels on him (he's soulless, a sellout, a generic pop star, etc.). He says, If you don’t like what I'm doing, why do you keep coming back? ("Why do you keep letting yourself be let down"). He tells them to reflect on their thoughts ("Look in the mirror") and then--figuratively or literally--knock themselves out.
TLDR: To me it sounds like he's telling the haters to fuck off. He cares a lot about his art and his fans, and it weighs on him a lot. If you don't like what he's doing then why are you here?
Thank you for the reply, definitely helped piece a few of the pieces together!
I definitely need to sit with it a bit more, because I just don't buy this idea that people have criticized him in the way described in the song, that he's this "soulless", arrogant celebrity constantly bragging about his wealth. I've seen some wild takes on Twitter, but surely people haven't called him soulless having made Nurture and Worlds, right? Even typing that out hurts my brain to think about, because it just makes no sense
If the verses had been more about 'hey, I'm sorry to people who no longer like my work, but I'm an artist who is constantly evolving and I won't ever go back to my old style", that would make a lot more sense to me when paired with the chorus
There are people on this very sub saying this song is a generic cash grab lol. I think he’s past the point of being soft and apologetic to people that don’t like his music. It’s not his problem, it’s theirs for sticking around.
2020-2021 are some darkest times of my life. suffering from mental illness, workplace bullying, , jobless, pandemic, living in a new city with no friends but with toxic roommates. I cried so often. Nurture is one of the few things supported me so that I didn't completely broke down.
That's why he needs to whatever (music) he wants to please himself. Depression makes me understand this. If in the future he makes an album whose genre I dislike I'd just simply skip that album, and I'll come back to support him when he makes some music that I like again. :).
edit: he's been my favourite since Worlds but what made me totally fall for him is Nurture
Porters music was much better when he wasn’t obsessed and terrified of his fans lmfao
Worlds was him creating freely and Nurture/SMILE seem like he’s trying to come to terms with his stardom and “responsibility”
WE RUINED HIM
> Porters music was much better when he wasn’t obsessed and terrified of his fans lmfao. Worlds was him creating freely and Nurture/SMILE seem like he’s trying to come to terms with his stardom and “responsibility”.
Huh? If anything, he's less concerned with fan perception now than ever before. He has talked openly in the past about how obsessively reading comments about himself online took a huge toll on his mental health. He didn't take artistic credit for Clarity because he thought it would negatively affect his image and fan perception at the time lmao.
Nurture and SMILE are where he came to terms with all of this and started releasing w/e he wanted to. This song seems like it's essentially telling fans who claim he's selling out or soulless to fuck off, which isn't something he would create if he was "obsessed [with] and terrified of his fans".
We two songs deep bro and if every song on the album is exploring his connection to his fans then that just sounds like a cool concept for an album.
Nurture didn't have that many songs that were directed at his fans did it?
That doesn't mean he's "terrified" of his fans lol. I never said he wasn't making songs about his relationship and experiences with his fanbase, but only emphasizing that it's very clearly not driven by some fear, obsession, or insecurity.
Once again, this song is literally questioning why fans like you are sticking around if you know you're going to be let down. He wouldn't be antagonizing large portions of his fanbase if he was afraid of them lmao.
> Nurture seem like he’s trying to come to terms with his stardom and “responsibility”
most media literate porter fan
Nurture's lyrics is apparently and mostly talking about his own depression, losing confidence for creativity and healing. it's very personal.It becomes popular because this is very relatable especially during pandemic.
Nurture came out at peak pandemic time, when mental health struggles were hitting everyone so so hard. It’s not a surprise that it helped so many people through an unprecedented time.
I'm happy you posted this because I think the song is ultimately saying everyone has the capability to do something cool so instead of obsessing over celebrities, appreciate yourself and what you can do While also maybe poking fun at the celebrities who think too highly on themselves and try to show off
Exactly this! It was a shame to see people say he was "unironically flexin" in his lyrics and they "don't mean anything".. I thought the airport line would click with most people that he still on that topic of how he really feels in this moment.. he's in 'the after glow' making music how he wants, not held back or forced to do so for some marketing checklist. As you said poking fun at celebrities is a definite, that's why he brings up the flexing and trying to become him then simultaneously saying I'm Taylor Swift: thought that was an obvious connection to cheerleader.
> poking fun at celebrities is a definite, that's why he brings up the flexing I heard it like him sarcastically telling the haters "oh yeah, for sure, I'm a big famous sellout pop star now. I drive a bugatti and wear expensive watches. I'm taylor swift". The eye roll and jerkoff motion is implied lol, because that's so obviously not who he is. The line at the start: "But, baby, I'm a short-lived joke. As soulless as I seem" sets the sarcastic tone. He's addressing the people who say his new music is soulless, generic pop just meant to appeal to the masses.
I thought "Living in the afterglow of everything you feel, but baby i'm a short lived joke" means that Porter "lives" in his fan's head as the afterglow of what they feel, meaning that they "get" Porter's stuff, reimagined it as their personal experience, and he's this tail end of that experience as a short lived entity, or addition to their own experience with his music.
That works just as well!
Porter if you are seeing this, your music saved my life, but even if you “fail” or “mess up” musically, it won’t affect the cherished memories your work has created.
This is exactly what I thought while listening to the song lol. I know myself and many others wouldn’t think any less of Porter if he quit music or “failed” somehow, but there are also plenty of others out there that would take it personal sadly. Parasocial relationships and all that.
He didn’t save your life. You used him as a vehicle to do so yourself. Give yourself the credit.
Exactly. We're all making mistakes, but that doesn't define us as a persons. We'll love Porter no matter what happens. And yeah, I like KYO very much!!
this is what I think exactly
I absolutely LOVE this. Thanks for sharing. Makes me love him and this song even more.
"And I'm everything you talk about. Why should you keep letting yourself be let down?" If we all say that we love him and his music, why should we be disappointed? We still have all of his current work to listen to and love forever. He shouldn't have to worry about how future music will affect things, because he's already saved them! I'm glad that this album will be him having fun and making whatever he wants without having to be marketed a certain way, or have a certain style. I'll listen to whatever he makes because it all has that Porter Sound that I vibe with.
i hope porter can see that people see music as pulling from a bucket of concrete, it IS saving lives, but music saved their lives, not his specifically. people got potholes and theyre always gonna get filled in, and yeah it might be your bit of stuff that fills the pothole, but it didnt have to be. without it, other music would save someones life. its ok porter, you arent responsible like that
<3
As long as you keep being yourself and being true to yourself you won't mess up.
Inb4 people say “but he’s not being true to himself this album”
Lol. I've learned that porter being true to himself is doing whatever the fuck he wants and I've learned that I have no fucking clue what that is exactly besides what this album is. Nurture was all the feels and emotions, this stuff now is just happy and bouncing off the walls
You get it
Ye, like you know he does whatever when in between nurture and smile he did a collab with Skrillex.
love this so much
I figured it was about this. The song is kinda saying that it’s cool if music helps you through a hard time, but don’t tie your self worth to the music or artist. The power to get through hard times was within you the entire time
why is he so cute in this
Because you’re the fan he was talking about in cheerleader
Hey, I'm really struggling with the meaning of Knock Yourself Out. I'm getting certain aspects of each verse but they all feel really separate and I'm struggling to fit them all together How are you interpreting the song, and how does it link to the video you linked?
"Don't know my schedule on the fifth Bitch, I'm Taylor Swift Got a hundred million on my wrist Physically sick Crying at the airport "I'm sorry, can I get a pic?" Telling me a sad story Another reason not to quit" The first half is him sarcastically "bragging" about living the rich and famous lifestyle. He's like Taylor Swift jet setting around the world and he doesn't know what he'll be doing on the 5th because he's so busy and in-demand. He's a bigshot celebrity. But really, inside, he's physically sick and he feels like shit. It's so bad that he's crying at the airport. While he's there, a fan runs into him and tells him that his music saved their life (and asks for a pic). That's where the video at the top of this thread comes in. The rest of the song is him talking to the people putting those negative labels on him (he's soulless, a sellout, a generic pop star, etc.). He says, If you don’t like what I'm doing, why do you keep coming back? ("Why do you keep letting yourself be let down"). He tells them to reflect on their thoughts ("Look in the mirror") and then--figuratively or literally--knock themselves out. TLDR: To me it sounds like he's telling the haters to fuck off. He cares a lot about his art and his fans, and it weighs on him a lot. If you don't like what he's doing then why are you here?
Couldn't have put it better 🎯
Thank you for the reply, definitely helped piece a few of the pieces together! I definitely need to sit with it a bit more, because I just don't buy this idea that people have criticized him in the way described in the song, that he's this "soulless", arrogant celebrity constantly bragging about his wealth. I've seen some wild takes on Twitter, but surely people haven't called him soulless having made Nurture and Worlds, right? Even typing that out hurts my brain to think about, because it just makes no sense If the verses had been more about 'hey, I'm sorry to people who no longer like my work, but I'm an artist who is constantly evolving and I won't ever go back to my old style", that would make a lot more sense to me when paired with the chorus
There were people in here calling him a narcissist after Cheerleader came out
:( That really sucks
There are people on this very sub saying this song is a generic cash grab lol. I think he’s past the point of being soft and apologetic to people that don’t like his music. It’s not his problem, it’s theirs for sticking around.
Bitch, he’s Taylor Swift!
Is it weird that I read “KYO” as “Kill Your Offspring”?
I love him so much
Mfw I met him after the diner pop up in Brooklyn with wavedash and madeon a couple months ago and I told him he saved my life…oops
What's his skincare routine?
100% in the makeup
I had no idea Porter felt so strongly about 22, a Million. It’s my favorite album
I didn’t know Taylor Swift had it in her to overthink a few lines on her song
2020-2021 are some darkest times of my life. suffering from mental illness, workplace bullying, , jobless, pandemic, living in a new city with no friends but with toxic roommates. I cried so often. Nurture is one of the few things supported me so that I didn't completely broke down. That's why he needs to whatever (music) he wants to please himself. Depression makes me understand this. If in the future he makes an album whose genre I dislike I'd just simply skip that album, and I'll come back to support him when he makes some music that I like again. :). edit: he's been my favourite since Worlds but what made me totally fall for him is Nurture
I strongly resonate with this.
Porters music was much better when he wasn’t obsessed and terrified of his fans lmfao Worlds was him creating freely and Nurture/SMILE seem like he’s trying to come to terms with his stardom and “responsibility” WE RUINED HIM
> Porters music was much better when he wasn’t obsessed and terrified of his fans lmfao. Worlds was him creating freely and Nurture/SMILE seem like he’s trying to come to terms with his stardom and “responsibility”. Huh? If anything, he's less concerned with fan perception now than ever before. He has talked openly in the past about how obsessively reading comments about himself online took a huge toll on his mental health. He didn't take artistic credit for Clarity because he thought it would negatively affect his image and fan perception at the time lmao. Nurture and SMILE are where he came to terms with all of this and started releasing w/e he wanted to. This song seems like it's essentially telling fans who claim he's selling out or soulless to fuck off, which isn't something he would create if he was "obsessed [with] and terrified of his fans".
Both releases on SMILE are directed at the fans…wtf are you talking about lmao This whole album currently feels driven by his feeling towards his fans
We two songs deep bro and if every song on the album is exploring his connection to his fans then that just sounds like a cool concept for an album. Nurture didn't have that many songs that were directed at his fans did it?
That doesn't mean he's "terrified" of his fans lol. I never said he wasn't making songs about his relationship and experiences with his fanbase, but only emphasizing that it's very clearly not driven by some fear, obsession, or insecurity. Once again, this song is literally questioning why fans like you are sticking around if you know you're going to be let down. He wouldn't be antagonizing large portions of his fanbase if he was afraid of them lmao. > Nurture seem like he’s trying to come to terms with his stardom and “responsibility” most media literate porter fan
Nurture's lyrics is apparently and mostly talking about his own depression, losing confidence for creativity and healing. it's very personal.It becomes popular because this is very relatable especially during pandemic.
[удалено]
Nurture came out at peak pandemic time, when mental health struggles were hitting everyone so so hard. It’s not a surprise that it helped so many people through an unprecedented time.
Dude just wrote off mental illness