Released: 2020
Koe Wetzel’s ‘Good Die Young’ is a raw, introspective song that dives deep into the artist’s personal struggles and fears. It’s a tale of self-destruction, regret, and the search for salvation, with a heavy dose of existential dread.
The opening lines set the stage for the song’s chaotic theme. ‘Running ’round like a fish with my head cut off’ is a play on the phrase ‘like a chicken with its head cut off’, meaning to act in a frenzied or aimless manner. Wetzel is admitting to feeling lost and confused.
The line ‘The sun is shinin’, I’m still broke as hell’ is a stark contrast, showing that despite the beauty of life, he’s still struggling financially. ‘But it’s good to see the grass got greener’ suggests a glimmer of hope or positive change.
Wetzel’s mention of his mother praying for him and Jesus leaving a message shows his struggle with faith. He’s aware of the support and care, but he’s not there to receive it, suggesting a disconnect with his spiritual side.
The chorus ‘I don’t want to think about tomorrow / What if tomorrow never comes?’ is a reflection of his fear of the future and the uncertainty of life. The line ‘Take me to a place without the sorrow / The story’s gettin’ old, where the good die young’ suggests a longing for escape from his current life and the tragedies he’s witnessed.
‘I’ve terrorized everything in my eyes / And left ’em there to bleed’ speaks to the harm he’s caused others due to his self-destructive behavior. ‘It’s hard to hurt something that I love / When the only thing I love is me’ shows his struggle with self-love and the damage it’s causing.
The line ‘So call the doctor, run for the hills / He’s going insane, he’s ran out of pills’ paints a picture of his mental health struggles and reliance on medication. ‘He can’t be saved, he’s too far gone / Maybe I’m really alone’ reveals his feelings of hopelessness and isolation.
The song ends with a repetition of the chorus, emphasizing his desire to escape his current reality and his fear of what tomorrow may bring. The final line ‘Where the good die young’ leaves us with a chilling reminder of the song’s central theme: the tragedy of lives cut short.
