deathmatch

Nessa Barrett's song 'Deathmatch' delves deep into the tumultuous and often exhausting battle with one's inner demons. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a relentless internal struggle, where the protagonist is caught in a never-ending fight against herself. The opening lines, 'My minds, they fight all night / And I wake up exhausted,' set the tone for the song, highlighting the mental and emotional fatigue that comes from this constant conflict. The use of the word 'deathmatch' emphasizes the severity and intensity of this internal battle, suggesting that it is a fight to the death, with only one side emerging victorious.

The chorus, 'I'm, I'm, I'm in a death match / Up against myself and I won't last / 'Cause she knows me well, yeah, she hits back / Where it hurts like hell,' underscores the idea that the protagonist's inner demon is intimately familiar with her weaknesses and knows exactly how to exploit them. This demon is not an external force but a part of herself, making the fight even more personal and painful. The repeated line, 'Only one of us is getting out of this alive,' further emphasizes the life-or-death stakes of this internal struggle.

Throughout the song, Barrett uses powerful metaphors to describe her inner demon, referring to it as a 'fucking disease' and a 'villain.' These metaphors convey the sense of being trapped and overwhelmed by one's own mind. The line, 'Take all the pills I can get / But she ain't going anywhere,' suggests that despite attempts to medicate or escape, the inner demon remains a persistent and inescapable presence. The song captures the raw and unfiltered reality of battling mental health issues, making it a poignant and relatable anthem for anyone who has faced similar struggles.