Self-esteem - Know The Lyrics

“Smash”, their debut album was produced under label of Epitaph Records. Powered by the popular singles “Self Esteem”, “Come and Play” and “Gotta Get Away”, this album broke all records and sold a phenomenal eight million copies. The band has been significantly inspired by Circle Jerks, Social Distortion, Black Flag, TSOL and Descendants.


“The Offspring” was given birth by Bryan “Dexter” Holland and Greg Kriesel in the year 1984. Both were a part of the cross-country team in their high school and carried on together from there. They were joined later by their school’s janitor, Kevin “Noodle” Wasserman. They started off with session drummers for their band called “Manic Subcidal”. However, later, in the year1987, the band was rechristened as “The Offspring”.

Presently, the band’s artist line up includes Dexter Holland – vocals and rhythm guitar, “Noodle” Wasserman on lead guitar, Greg Kriesel or “Greg K” on bass and Atom Willard on drums.

Self Esteem’s lyrics are filled with feelings of inferiority complex resulting in devaluation of an individuals true worth. This kind of behavior makes a person go through the trauma of even an emotionally abusive relationship without uttering a single word or complaint. One is so unsure of ones capabilities that he/she just can’t let go. The song personifies the feeling “Ignorance is Bliss” quite perfectly. One is so blinded by the comfort of a dysfunctional relationship that he/she readily agrees to compromise on their dignity and self respect.

The song lyrics go like:

SELF-ESTEEM Lyrics
(Artist: “The Offspring”)


I wrote her off for the tenth time today
And practice all the things I would say
But she came over
I lost my nerve
I took her back and made her dessert

Now I know I’m being used
That’s okay man cause I like the abuse
I know she’s playing with me
That’s okay cause I got no self esteem

We make plans to go out at night
I wait till 2 then I turn out the light
All this rejection’s got me so low
If she keeps it up I just might tell her no

Chorus
When she’s saying that she wants only me
Then I wonder why she sleeps with my friends
When she’s saying that I’m like a disease
Then I wonder how much more I can spend
Well I guess I should speak up for myself
But I really think it’s better this way
The more you suffer
The more it shows you really care
Right? yeah yeah yeah

Now I’ll relate this little bit
That happens more than I’d like to admit
Late at night she knocks on my door
Drunk again and looking to score

Now I know I should say no
But that’s kind of hard when she’s ready to go
I may be dumb
But I’m not a dweeb
I’m just a sucker with no self esteem

Chorus
When she’s saying that she wants only me
Then I wonder why she sleeps with my friends
When she’s saying that I’m like a disease
Then I wonder how much more I can spend
Well I guess I should speak up for myself
But I really think it’s better this way
The more you suffer
The more it shows you really care
Right? yeah yeah yeah