What's Wrong
PVRIS
The Struggle Within: A Deep Dive into PVRIS' 'What's Wrong'
PVRIS' song 'What's Wrong' delves into the internal turmoil and existential angst of the narrator. The opening lines, 'Two years gone / Came back as some bones and so cynical,' set the tone for a journey through self-doubt and disillusionment. The narrator feels disconnected from their own body, describing their skin as 'overgrown' and their reflection as something they can't bear to see. This imagery suggests a profound sense of alienation and self-loathing, as if the person they once were has been replaced by someone unrecognizable.
The chorus, 'I know it's so wrong but I'm so far gone / Don't need you to tell me I'm so cynical,' captures the essence of the narrator's struggle. They are aware of their negative outlook but feel powerless to change it. The repeated insistence that they don't need a metaphor to convey their misery underscores the raw, unfiltered nature of their pain. This directness is a hallmark of PVRIS' style, blending emotional vulnerability with a stark, almost brutal honesty.
The song also touches on themes of authenticity and integrity. The repeated line, 'No I never sold my soul,' serves as a defiant assertion of the narrator's core values, even as they grapple with feelings of worthlessness and despair. This refrain acts as a counterpoint to the earlier admissions of feeling 'pitiful' and 'like a goddamn corpse in a centerfold,' suggesting a tension between the narrator's internal struggles and their desire to remain true to themselves. Ultimately, 'What's Wrong' is a poignant exploration of the complexities of self-identity and the battle to maintain one's sense of self in the face of overwhelming internal and external pressures.