Call it what you want
I said just call it what you want
Call it what you want

Yeah we're locked up in ideas
We like to label everything
Well I'm just gonna do here what I gotta do here
'Cause I gotta keep myself free
You're ducking and moving just to hide your bruising from all your enemies
And I'm in the crossfire dodging bullets from you expectancies

We've got nothing to lose
You better run and hide
Yeah you've crossed the line
I've got a knife behind my back (just sayin')
We've got nothing to prove
Your social guides give you swollen eyes
But what I've got can't be bought so you can just

Call it what you want, yeah yeah call it what you want
Yeah yeah I said just call it what you want, yeah yeah call it what you want

You've taken your words and you take your judgments
And stick them onto everything
If it don't conform to what you were born into,
Then you run the other way
You say, "now what's your style and who do you listen to?" who cares?
Well that rat race ladder-climbing fake-face smile's got nothing on me

We've got nothing to lose
You better run and hide
Yeah you've crossed the line
I've got a knife behind my back (just sayin')
We've got nothing to prove
Your social guides give you swollen eyes
But what I've got can't be bought so you can just

Call it what you want, yeah yeah call it what you want
Yeah yeah I said just call it what you want, yeah yeah call it what you want

Call it what you want
Call it what you want
Call it what you want, yeah yeah call it what you want
Yeah yeah I said just call it what you want, yeah yeah call it what you want



Lyrics submitted by Admx94

Track duration: 03:59

"Call It What You Want" as written by Paul Richard Epworth, Mark Foster

Lyrics © EMI Music Publishing

Lyrics powered by LyricFind


Call It What You Want song meanings
Add your thoughts

19 Comments

sort form View by:
  • +1
    General Comment:I couldn't understand the signification of all the scenes in the clip, but I think that the band wants to show that they don't want to follow rules and regulations of society. They dress clothes winter when it's hot, they play the instruments (drums) on the rain and other scenes demonstrating their independence with "the rules" of the word.
    They want to demonstrate too that they don't sing for fans and that they are independent of them. Because the band wants to sing and think what they like and not what other people like.
    Flag Marceloodoon March 12, 2013   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I jut think its a song about happiness and peace. Dries van Zandt
    Flag supra123on December 08, 2012   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I think the previous poster has it right on the $$$$$$$$$$$$
    Flag signumc240on November 02, 2012   Link
  • +1
    My Interpretation:I've just been bouncing around to this song..It's so catchy.

    I think it's about not wanting to fit into 'neat' little boxes in society...Going against the social norms..Doing your own thing on your own time.

    But also as a band they could be saying that they're not gonna do what's expected of them in a 'Mainstream' way...They won't be bought so they can just be another Rat in the Rat Race.
    Flag rochey1on September 17, 2012   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:No... these are the correct lyrics. Directly from the lyric booklet inside the album...
    Flag Admx94on May 28, 2012   Link
  • 0
    My Interpretation:Its a beaty song showing the "variety of attitudes" of millions of people that you can't possiblily take account for: "well that rat race ladder got a big-fake smiles got nothing on me"- to show I don't care about others. I know who I am for myself. So call my attitude what you want, doesn't matter
    Flag Iamalwaysrighton May 04, 2012   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:Music is a funny thing :) You are trying to figure out what these guys meant by this song. For me it only reminds me of my last relationship with my ex. This song could be about us ;)
    Flag JP75on April 02, 2012   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:That is a dead good song, I'm sure some of the lyrics are wrong though aren't they?
    whattelevision.org.uk">What Television?
    Flag teknetjoeon February 29, 2012   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:im gonna go with the guy was doin drugs,way too many,didnt no wat he was takin how much he was takin or wat is was called.He loved the stuff.but used it too much.if youve seen the music vid it kinda messed up.i thnk it waz acid though
    Flag DeadAsDiscoon February 04, 2012   Link
  • 0
    My Interpretation:@Johndrive1 Nice interpretation. There are a lot of interpretations that I think the video has.

    The one you just wrote about goes hand in hand with my primary interpretation of it: Fame isn't what Foster the People is about, they won't be your stereotypical spotlight addicts. Your interpretation is showing what fame can do to you.

    My interpretation their rebellion against the fame stereotype. When that business man is there, Mark Foster is singing about enemies meaning the band isn't about money. They won't let the industry control them or they know they can't let that happen. The shooting of the fans is also apart of this and where I disagree with you. I don't think that has to do with violence due to fame because he's actually rebelling against the fame stereotype with this action. He's basically saying that he won't let such fanatic fans or groupies get to his head.

    The burning of the instruments and music equipment I think represents how they'll break away from the industry if they can't be themselves.

    I also feel like the star scene is them controlling their destinies.

    Lastly this is apparently set in the same place of the scene where Lady Gaga falls of a balcony in her Paparazzi video supporting the theme of fame's dark side.

    You're description really added to it. Good thinking.
    Flagged epitoMEon November 30, 2011   Link

Add your thoughts

Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.

Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!

Back to top
explain