I Don't Exist

Olivia O'Brien's song 'I Don't Exist' delves into the profound feelings of isolation and invisibility that many people experience. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of someone who feels perpetually out of place and disconnected from the world around them. From the very beginning, the song sets a somber tone with lines like 'I've been doomed from the start' and 'Everything around me falls apart so quickly,' suggesting a sense of inevitability and hopelessness. The mention of Tylenol and whiskey hints at attempts to numb the pain, but even these fail to provide relief, highlighting the depth of the emotional struggle.

The chorus emphasizes the protagonist's sense of exclusion and alienation. The imagery of being 'cropped out of the photo' symbolizes the feeling of being an outsider, someone who doesn't fit into the 'picture-perfect' world of others. This metaphor is powerful in conveying the idea that the protagonist feels like an afterthought, someone who can easily be erased or ignored. The repetition of 'Like I don't exist' reinforces this sense of invisibility and the pain that comes with it.

As the song progresses, the lyrics explore the fleeting nature of happiness and the struggle to find meaning. The line 'When I feel good it never lasts' captures the transient nature of joy, while 'Everybody says this shit will pass, I say it won't, they don't believe me' reflects a deep-seated pessimism and frustration with the well-meaning but ultimately unhelpful advice from others. The repeated questioning of 'Am I even real?' underscores the protagonist's existential crisis and the difficulty in feeling connected to oneself and the world. Olivia O'Brien's raw and honest portrayal of these emotions resonates with anyone who has ever felt like they don't belong or struggle to find their place in the world.