"To My Surprise" by James is a song with abstract and metaphorical lyrics, making it open to interpretation. The song seems to touch upon themes of self-discovery, questioning one's identity, and the struggles of fame or attention. The song begins with the lines "Mona Lisa, stay a while, I'm a match you, make you smile." These lines suggest a desire for connection and a longing to bring joy to someone. The phrase "Hard to please 'em, only child" may refer to the difficulty in satisfying others' expectations or the feeling of being alone in one's journey. The mention of Constantine, an entertainer and portrait painter, adds to the theme of artistic expression and the desire to be seen or understood. The line "Can you make my eyes less red" could imply a yearning to hide vulnerability or emotional pain behind a public face. The lyrics also incorporate the idea of not having control or agency over one's actions, with lines like "Created by mistake, there's no free will or fate." This could reflect a sense of frustration or resignation towards life's circumstances. The chorus of the song, "Were you just born an asshole, rage in exile, what you have lost you can't replace," suggests a contemplation of one's own personality traits or behaviors and the inability to recover or change what is lost. The verse continues with references to actors imitating and boxers needing a break, portraying the constant pressure to perform and the struggle to find respite from it. The lines "Don't do what I have done, do what I say" hint at perhaps having learned from past mistakes and offering advice to others. The lines "I think I finally cracked your cord, I've hacked your system from within" could symbolize a breakthrough or realization about oneself or someone else. The subsequent lines express a belief in receiving what one puts out into the world. The song concludes with the phrase "Depends which way is born an asshole, rage in exile." This line reaffirms the ambiguous nature of the song's meaning, suggesting that being perceived as an "asshole" or experiencing internal rage may depend on individual perspectives or circumstances. Overall, the song "To My Surprise" by James invites reflection on identity, the complexities of human nature, and the challenges of navigating personal and public expectations. The lyrics combine introspection, philosophical musings, and abstract imagery to create a thought-provoking experience for the listener.
