"Meant to Die" by The Used is a song that explores themes of addiction, loss, and the struggle to find one's identity in the face of these challenges. The lyrics depict a narrator who is trapped in a toxic relationship or friendship that is pushing them towards self-destruction. The song opens with the narrator acknowledging the late-night visits of this "strange friend" who they never intended to let into their life. This friend takes them to unfamiliar and dark places, causing their insides to cave in. Despite being pushed and pulled by this friend, the narrator still finds themselves wanting more. As the song progresses, the narrator realizes that they have gone through this destructive journey without the support or presence of this friend. They recognize that there is nothing more they can say to them, indicating a sense of finality or detachment from the toxic relationship. The lyrics also suggest that the narrator may have taken too much of something, perhaps a substance or a metaphorical representation of the destructive influence. They acknowledge that life may not have wanted this part of them, implying that they are aware of the negative consequences their actions have had on themselves. The chorus reveals the regret the narrator feels for losing control and their sense of self, but they emphasize that they never truly intended to die. They may have lost their mind, but they want to convey that they never meant for their actions to result in permanent harm. The second verse continues to explore the consequences of being influenced by this toxic friend. The narrator reflects on how once they allowed this influence into their life, they could never forget it, no matter what they did. Despite losing everything, they still craved more of this destructive influence. The chorus is repeated, emphasizing the regret and apology for losing their mind and allowing themselves to be consumed by this friend or addiction. Lastly, the repeated lines "Never stay forever. Come on" could be interpreted as a plea or a reminder to break free from the cycle of destruction and not get trapped in detrimental situations. Overall, "Meant to Die" delves into the internal struggle of battling addiction and toxic relationships, while also expressing remorse for the repercussions that resulted from those choices.
