How Does It Feel?
Citizen Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴How does it feel to be all that you are
All that you want to be, is that what you want to be?
And how does it feel to be what you′ve become
What you said you would never be 'cause I don′t feel anything
Anymore, so take me away

And how does it feel to fit into a mold
To let go of what you know and not have to hold your own

And how does it feel to be just like your friends
To catch up on what you missed as simple as you can get
And you still walk out alone

And you still walk out alone
And you still walk out alone
And you still walk out alone
And you still walk out alone
And you still walk out alone (How's it feel to let go)
And you still walk out alone (Of everything that you know)
And you still walk out alone (And how's it feel to let go)
And you still walk out alone (Of everything that you know)

And you still walk out alone (And how′s it feel to let go)
And you still walk out alone (Of everything that you know)

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Citizen's "How Does It Feel?" reflect on the emotions of someone who is struggling with their identity and sense of self. The song starts with the question of how it feels to "be all that you are," asking whether or not the person is truly happy with who they have become. The lyrics then move on to discuss the pressure and expectations that society places on individuals to conform and fit into a mold. The singer questions what it feels like to let go of what you know and not have to hold your own, to be just like your friends and catch up on what you missed. Ultimately, the song's lyrics convey a sense of isolation and loneliness, with the repeated line "and you still walk out alone" emphasizing the feeling of being disconnected from others.

The song's lyrics offer a poignant commentary on the struggle of finding one's identity in a world that often forces conformity. The repeated questioning of "how does it feel" captures the essence of the song, as the singer is left wondering what it truly feels like to be authentic and true to oneself. The line "I don't feel anything anymore, so take me away" adds to the sense of desperation in the lyrics, as the character seems to be questioning the point of it all if they cannot feel anything.

Line by Line Meaning

How does it feel to be all that you are
Are you satisfied with yourself and your achievements?

All that you want to be, is that what you want to be?
Do you feel fulfilled in pursuing your dreams?

And how does it feel to be what you′ve become
Are you happy with the person you have become?

What you said you would never be 'cause I don′t feel anything
Have you become someone you never thought you would be and lost your emotions?

Anymore, so take me away
I am feeling lost and need to escape from the reality of my life.

And how does it feel to fit into a mold
Do you feel comfortable conforming to societal expectations?

To let go of what you know and not have to hold your own
Does it feel liberating to abandon your beliefs and not have to defend them?

And how does it feel to be just like your friends
Do you feel a sense of belonging by assimilating with your peers?

To catch up on what you missed as simple as you can get
Is it easy to conform by catching up with what you missed out on without questioning it?

And you still walk out alone
Despite fitting in, you still feel isolated and lonely.

And you still walk out alone
Even after trying to belong, you still feel detached.

How's it feel to let go
Asking again about the comfort level of abandoning beliefs and conforming.

Of everything that you know
Questioning the cost of surrendering one's individuality to fit in.

And how's it feel to let go
Reiterating the query about the emotional toll of conformity.

Of everything that you know
Recalling the importance of one's established beliefs and values.

Writer(s): Nicholas Ryan Hamm, Mathew James Keith Kerekes, Ryland Lee Oehlers, Eric William Hamm, Cray Wilson

Contributed by Scarlett F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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