"Setting Yourself Up For Sarcasm" by Get Scared is a song that explores themes of toxic relationships, manipulation, and self-destruction. The lyrics depict a person who is caught in a cycle of emotional pain caused by their partner's hurtful words and actions. The opening lines convey the impact of the partner's hurtful words on the narrator. They feel shaken and heartbroken, yet feel unable to express their emotions through crying. They express a sense of hopelessness and contemplate self-harm or even death, showcasing their emotional vulnerability. The chorus emphasizes the narrator's resilience and determination not to let the partner's words affect them. The line "sticks and stones could break my bones, but anything you say will only fuel my lungs" suggests that the partner's words serve as motivation for the narrator to keep going, despite the pain. They refuse to let the partner have power over them. In the following verses, the lyrics convey a twisted love-hate relationship. The narrator uses metaphors to describe themselves and their partner, comparing themselves to a killer and a corpse, a devil and a sinner, and drugs and a dealer. These metaphors express the destructive and addictive nature of their relationship. They find pleasure in the partner's toxic behavior, comparing it to music to their ears. It's a dark and disturbing portrayal of how the narrator is trapped in an unhealthy and dangerous connection. The chorus is repeated, emphasizing the narrator's unwillingness to be loved in such a toxic relationship. They acknowledge how the partner's words contaminate the environment and express their disgust by saying they will "choke it down so I can throw it up." The bridge introduces the concept of failure, suggesting that the narrator sees themselves as a failure in the eyes of society and therefore deserving of such a toxic relationship. They feel like they are as bad as it gets, a fate worse than death that hangs over them. This further highlights their self-destructive tendencies. In the final chorus, the lyrics reiterate the idea that the relationship is not genuine love but a self-destructive cycle. The narrator refuses to be hung by the neck, metaphorically meaning that they won't let the relationship control or define them. They express a desire to escape the toxic environment before an audience of death, symbolizing the need to break free from the destructive patterns. Overall, "Setting Yourself Up For Sarcasm" portrays the painful and toxic dynamics of a relationship where hurtful words and actions have become the norm. The lyrics highlight the narrator's struggle to break free and find their own self-worth amidst the chaos.
