Offspring’s “Self-Esteem” America Our People

How to Boost Your Self Esteem

Offspring’s “Self-Esteem”

Offspring’s “Self-Esteem” the album “Smash” is The Offspring’s break-out record. It was what really catapulted the band to fame. The said album was released in 1994 by Epitaph Records and has sold eight million copies which also made it the highest-selling record ever produced by an independent label. (“How To Boost Your Self Esteem – Kopykitab”)

Incidentally, Bad Religion guitarist Brett Gurewitz also owns epitaph Records. He initially had his misgivings about the band but when he heard their single “Baghdad” produced in 1991, he changed his mind and signed them up. The following year, they released the album “Ignition,” and its success has put them on tour together with No Doubt, Pennywise and Voodoo Glow Skulls. (“How To Boost Your Self Esteem – Kopykitab”)

By 1993, they returned to the studio to record “Smash” and released it the following year with little knowledge that this was going to create a niche for them. The album was catapulted to fame by the singles “Self-Esteem,” “Gotta Get Away” and “Come Out and Play.” (“How To Boost Your Self Esteem – Kopykitab”)

The band is composed of Bryan “Dexter” Holland on vocals, Greg Kriesel or Greg K on bass guitar, Kevin Wasserman, also called “Noodle” on lead guitar and Atom Willard on drums. Prior to joining the band, Kevin Wasserman was the school janitor recruited by Dexter Holland and Greg Krieser reportedly because he was old enough to procure alcohol for them

The Offspring’s “Self Esteem” is the second single released from Smash and speaks of being trapped in an emotionally abusive relationship and having full knowledge that one is not getting what one deserves but is too weak to get out of it because of an extremely low self-esteem.

The lyrics of the song are as follows:

SELF-ESTEEM (The Offspring)

“I wrote her off for the tenth time today and practice all the things I would say but she came over” (“Self Esteem chords ver. 2 with lyrics by Offspring for …”)

“I lost my nerve I took her back and made her dessert” (“The Offspring – Self Esteem Lyrics | AZLyrics.com”)

Now I know I am being used That’s okay man because I like the abuse, I know she is playing with me That is okay because I got no self esteem

We make plans to go out at night I wait till two then I turn out the light All this rejection’s got me so low If she keeps it up, I just might tell her no (“Lyrics for Self Esteem by The Offspring – Songfacts”)

Chorus

When she is saying that she wants only me

Then I wonder why she sleeps with my friends

When she is saying that I am like a disease

Then I wonder how much more I can spend

Well, I guess I should speak up for myself

But it is better this way

The more you suffer

The more it shows you really care Right?

yeah, yeah yeah

Now I will relate this little bit

That happens more than I would like to admit

Late at night she knocks on my door

Drunk again and looking to score

Now I know I should say no

But that is hard when she’s ready to go

I may be dumb

But I am not a dweeb

I am just a sucker with no self esteem