Peeling back the layers of comedic facade, we delve into a sincere confessional from a man grappling with his past in an evolving society. "Problematic" is Bo Burnham's raw self-reflection and public apology for his past actions that, through the lens of time and societal change, now seem inappropriate. He addresses how growing up in a predominantly white, suburban environment shaped his early worldview and humor. The song navigates through his guilt over offensive jokes made during his youth, the awareness of their potential harm, and his struggle to make amends. The repeated question about accountability hints at the broader discourse on cancel culture. Ultimately, Burnham's introspective journey underscores the importance of personal growth, acknowledging mistakes, and striving for better understanding in our diverse world.
Problematic
Lyrics
I grew up as your usual suburbanite
A tiny town in Massachusetts, overwhelmingly white
I went to church on Sundays in a suit and a tie
Then spent my free time watching Family Guy
I started doing comedy when I was just a sheltered kid
I wrote offensive shit and I said it
Father, please forgive me, for I did not realize what I did
Or that I'd live to regret it
Times are changing and I'm getting old
Are you gonna hold me accountable?
My bed is empty, and I'm getting cold
Isn't anybody gonna hold me accountable?
(Uh)
I'm problematic
(He's a problem)
When I was 17, on Halloween, I dressed up as Aladdin
(He's a problem)
I did not darken my skin
But still, it feels weird in hindsight
I wanna show you how I'm growing as a person, but first
I feel I must address the lyrics from the previous verse
I tried to hide behind my childhood and that's not okay
My actions are my own, I won't explain them away
I've done a lot of self-reflecting since I started singing this song
I was totally wrong when I said it
Father, please forgive me, for I did not realize what I did
Or that I'd live to regret it
Times are changing and I'm getting old
Are you gonna hold me accountable?
My bed is empty, and I'm getting cold
Isn't anybody gonna hold me accountable?
(Uh)
I'm problematic
(He's a problem)
I just remembered that Aladdin costume's in my mother's attic
(He's a problem)
I'm gonna go home and burn it
Or not burn it, uh, is burning it bad?
What should I do with it?
And I've been totally awful
My closet is chock-full of stuff that is vaguely shitty
All of it was perfectly lawful
Just not very thoughtful at all and just really shitty
And I've been totally awful
My closet is chock-full of stuff that is vaguely shitty
All of it was perfectly lawful
Just not very thoughtful at all and just really
And I'm really fucking sorry
(Bitch, I'm tryna listen)
(Shit, I've been complicit)
Sorry
(If I wanna catch up)
(First, I gotta fess up)
Sorry
Sorry
Writer(s): Bo Burnham
Copyright(s): Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
What is the Meaning of Problematic
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