No matter how crazy and reckless punk rockers strive to seem, they are also not alien to the experience of relationships with the opposite sex, which do not always work out the way you want. Proof of this is the composition “Self Esteem” (“Self-respect”) by the famous American band The Offspring, which is performed on behalf of a guy suffering from outright bullying by a girl.
Not much is known about the history of the creation of the song. According to Dexter Holland, he composed it while thinking about one of his girlfriends. The band’s vocalist refrained from detailed explanations, so fans can only guess how much personal experience the author put into the lyrics of “Self Esteem”. But you can be sure that the composition is not 100% autobiographical.
“Self Esteem” was released as the second single from the album “Smash” (the track “Come Out and Play” was released first). It topped the charts in Denmark, Sweden and Norway, and climbed high on the charts in many other countries.
In 1995, it was nominated for the MTV Europe Music Awards for “Best Song”, but lost to “Zombie” by The Cranberries.
The video for “Self Esteem” has become one of the most famous works of music video director Darren Lovett (he also directed the video for “Come Out and Play”). The video is very popular with the audience of the MTV channel, which still often airs it.
Interesting Facts
- For several years, The Offspring ended their concerts with this song.
- The track is featured in several computer games, including SingStar Rock!, The Darkness II, Rock Band, and Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock.
- Under “Self Esteem” wrestler Bryan Danielson entered the ring.
Self Esteem lyricsSelf Esteem lyricsI wrote her off for the tenth time today
And practiced all the things I would say
But she came over
I lost my nerve
I took her back and made her dessert
And rehearsed everything I say
But he appeared
I panicked
Took her back and made her dessert Now I know I’m being used
That’s okay I like the abuse
I know she’s playing with me
That’s okay cause I’ve got no self-esteem
But it’s alright ’cause I like the abuse
I know she plays with me
But it’s alright ’cause I don’t have self respect 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 so
I wait until two then turn off the lights
Because of this rejection, I lost heart
If she keeps going I’ll tell her everything 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 stick up for myself
But I really think it’s better this way
The more you suffer
The more it shows you really care, right?
I don’t understand why she sleeps with my friends
When she says I’m like a disease
I don’t know how much longer I can take it
Guess it’s time for me to stand up for myself
But I really think it’s better this way
The more you suffer
The more it shows you care, don’t you? Now I’ll relate this a 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
Everything goes further than I would like to admit
But late at night she knocks on the door
Drunk again and with obvious intentions
Yes, I know I should say no
But it’s not that easy when she’s ready for anything
Maybe I’m a jerk
But not stupid
I’m just a loser with no self respect
