"Diet Aftertaste" is a song by the American alternative metal band Helmet. Released in 1997, the song is known for its introspective and critical lyrics. The song seems to address a person who is highly accomplished and well-regarded by others. The singer acknowledges that this person is everything they want to be, accomplished and great company. However, the singer believes that appearances can be overrated and superficial. The person may be well-spoken and dominant in conversations, but the singer questions whether they are truly an influential figure or just someone who is pretending to be important. The line "Another self-made luminary or maybe just the fucking tooth fairy" suggests that the person may be perceived as highly successful, but the singer suspects that they might actually be pretending or exaggerating their achievements. In the second part of the lyrics, the singer expresses their frustration and disappointment with this person. They metaphorically suggest sending the person's rationed brain to feed the smallest starving nation, indicating that their ideas or thoughts are not significant enough to make a real difference. The mention of "diet aftertaste" refers to the unsatisfactory nature of the person's words or ideas. The singer admits that they cannot digest or understand the person's words, implying that they lack substance or depth. Overall, the song criticizes the superficiality and overvaluation of appearances, suggesting that true value lies in substance and authenticity rather than just outward accomplishments.
