Everybody Wants You

Billy Squier's song 'Everybody Wants You' delves into the complexities and pitfalls of fame and the constant attention that comes with it. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a person who is always in the spotlight, constantly pursued by admirers and fans. The opening lines, 'You see 'em comin' at you every night / Strung on pretension they fall for you at first sight,' set the stage for a narrative about the superficiality and relentless nature of public adoration. The protagonist is depicted as someone who is always on the move, never settling down, and seemingly doing it all for fun, yet there's an underlying sense of restlessness and dissatisfaction.

The chorus, 'Everybody knows you / Everybody snows you / Everybody needs you...leads you...bleeds you,' highlights the double-edged sword of fame. While being in the public eye brings attention and adulation, it also comes with manipulation and exploitation. The protagonist craves attention and throws their affections 'anyway the wind blows,' suggesting a lack of genuine connections and a life lived for the approval of others. The line 'You sell the copy like the cover of a magazine' underscores the commodification of their persona, where their image is constantly marketed and sold.

As the song progresses, it becomes clear that the price of fame is steep. The lines 'Nights of confusion and impossible dreams / Days at the mirror, patchin' up around the seams' reveal the emotional toll and the facade that must be maintained. The protagonist's glory comes at the cost of loneliness and alcohol, and they find themselves trapped in a cycle they can't escape. The song's closing lines, 'The more you understand, seems the more like you do / You never get away...everybody wants you,' encapsulate the inescapable nature of fame and the perpetual demand for their presence. Squier's lyrics offer a poignant commentary on the isolating and consuming aspects of being constantly in the public eye.