I / Me / Myself

Will Wood and The Tapeworms' song 'I / Me / Myself' delves into the complexities of identity, self-perception, and societal expectations. The lyrics express a poignant struggle with gender identity and the desire to be accepted for who one truly is. The opening lines set a tone of transformation and self-modification, suggesting a dissonance between the narrator's physical body and their internal sense of self. The use of 'flower petals and feathers' as metaphors indicates a delicate balance between the narrator's true nature and the weight of societal norms.

The chorus, 'I wish I could be a girl, and that way / You’d wish I could be your girlfriend, boyfriend,' reveals the narrator's yearning for fluidity in gender roles and the freedom to be loved regardless of gender. This desire is juxtaposed with the fear of not being 'pretty enough' to be lied to or loved, highlighting the pressure to conform to beauty standards. The song also touches on the concept of gender as a performance, with references to dressing up and the show going on despite personal discomfort.

The latter part of the song introduces a more defiant tone, with the narrator rejecting the need for validation from others and questioning the validity of all identities. The line 'All identities are equally invalid' suggests a philosophical stance that identity may be an arbitrary construct, and the question posed about living without it challenges listeners to consider the importance of identity in their own lives. Overall, 'I / Me / Myself' is a powerful exploration of the internal conflict that arises when one's sense of self does not align with external expectations.