Analysis

What You Want

Evanescence · What You Want

13+
Verdict
Listen first

Mental health themes, emotional distress, mild hopelessness

Detailed Analysis

These lyrics explore themes of inner struggle, loss of control, identity, emotional pain, and resilience. There is no explicit language, sexual content, drug references, or graphic violence. However, the recurring imagery of failing others, being an 'infection,' spiraling downward, and references to laying one's life down suggest themes related to mental health struggles, possibly depression or feelings of hopelessness. The line 'you don't have to lay your life down' could carry undertones of suicidal ideation, and 'infecting everything you love' reflects deep emotional distress. While the overall message is ultimately one of hope and perseverance ('somewhere beyond the pain there must be a way'), the darker emotional content warrants parental awareness. The song is thoughtful and not gratuitously dark, but younger children may not have the emotional framework to process these themes constructively.

Themes

mental health

inner struggle

identity

hopelessness

resilience

emotional pain

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Lyrics

Do what you what you want If you have a dream for better Do what you what you want 'til you don't want it anymore Remember who you really are Do what you what you want Your world's closing in on you now (it isn't over) Stand and face the unknown (got to remember who you really are) Every heart in my hands like a pale reflection Hello, hello, remember me? I'm everything you can't control Somewhere beyond the pain there must be a way To believe we can break through Do what you what you want You don't have to lay your life down (it isn't over) Do what you what you want 'Til you find what you're looking for (got to remember who you really are) But every hour slipping by screams that I have failed you Hello, hello, remember me? I'm everything you can't control Somewhere beyond the pain there must be a way to believe Hello, hello, remember me? I'm everything you can't control Somewhere beyond the pain there must be a way to believe There's still time Close your eyes Only love will guide you home Tear down the walls and free your soul 'Til we crash we're forever spiraling down, down, down, down Hello, hello, it's only me Infecting everything you love Somewhere beyond the pain there must be a way to believe Hello, hello, remember me? I'm everything you can't control Somewhere beyond the pain there must be a way to learn forgiveness Hello, hello remember me? I'm everything you can't control Somewhere beyond the pain there must be a way to believe we can break through Remember who you really are Do what you what you want


Remember: You know your child best. Use LyricsRay as a tool to inform your decisions, but always trust your parental instincts and family values when determining what's right for your children.
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Analysis performed on October 9, 2026