Skillet - It's Not Me It's You Lyrics
Lyrics
Let's get the story straight
You were a poison
You flooded through my veins
You left me broken
You tried to make me think
That the blame was all on me
With the pain you put me through
And now I know that
It's not me, it's you, it's not me, it's you
Always has been you
All the lies and stupid things
You say and do, it's you
It's not me, it's you
All the lies and pain you put me through
I know that it's not me, it's you, you, you
It's not me, it's you, you
So here we go again
The same fight we're always in
I don't care so why pretend?
Wake me when your lecture ends
You tried to make me small
Make me fall and it's all your fault
With the pain you put me through
And now I know that
It's not me, it's you, it's not me, it's you
Always has been you
All the lies and stupid things
You say and do, it's you
It's not me, it's you
All the lies and pain you put me through
I know that it's not me, it's you
Let's get the story straight
You were a poison flooding through my veins
You're driving me insane
And now you're gone away
I'm no longer choking
From the pain you put me through
And now I know that
It's not me, it's you, you, it's not me, it's you
Always has been you
All the lies and stupid things
You say and do, it's you
It's not me, it's you
All the lies and pain you put me through
I know that it's not me, it's you, you, you
(It's not me, it's you)
It's not me, it's you, you
(It's not me, it's you)
It's not me, it's you, you
(It's not me, it's you)
It's not me, it's you, you
(It's not me, it's you)
It's not me, it's you
Video
Skillet - It's Not Me It's You (Lyrics)
Meaning & Inspiration
Skillet’s compelling track, "It's Not Me It's You," burst onto the scene on August 27, 2009, delivering a potent message of liberation and self-reclamation. This song delves deep into the painful aftermath of a destructive relationship, not necessarily romantic, but rather any insidious influence that has caused profound suffering and attempted to shift blame onto the innocent party. The narrative begins with a stark declaration, "Let's get the story straight," immediately establishing the intent to confront a past wrong. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of this harmful entity as a "poison" that "flooded through my veins," leaving the protagonist "broken." This imagery powerfully conveys the deep, internal damage inflicted by a pervasive and toxic presence, akin to a spiritual or emotional illness that compromises one's very life force. The core struggle lies in the manipulative attempt by the "you" to convince the victim that "the blame was all on me," a tactic often employed by abusers, whether human or spiritual, to maintain control and sow self-doubt.
At its heart, "It's Not Me It's You" is a triumphant anthem of truth and self-awareness, a defiant rejection of false guilt and manipulation. The repeated assertion, "It's not me, it's you, it's not me, it's you / Always has been you," serves as a powerful mantra, severing the emotional and spiritual ties that bind. This unwavering declaration resonates profoundly with a Christian worldview, where believers are often confronted by the "accuser of our brothers and sisters" (Revelation 12:10), who relentlessly seeks to condemn and assign blame. The song’s journey from brokenness to this bold declaration mirrors the spiritual awakening that occurs when one recognizes the lies of the enemy and embraces the truth of their identity in Christ. Just as Christ came to set us free from the bondage of sin and false accusations, this song articulates a personal freedom from a tormenting influence. We are reminded that God’s perspective on us is one of unconditional love and worth, a stark contrast to the attempts of the "you" to "make me small, make me fall."
The song further explores the ongoing battle against this toxic force, acknowledging the weariness of repeated conflict: "So here we go again / The same fight we're always in." Yet, a significant shift occurs in the protagonist's response, moving from passive endurance to active disengagement and a refusal to be lectured further. This spiritual resilience is a testament to the power found in standing firm in one's faith and resisting evil, as encouraged in James 4:7: "Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." The indifference to the "lecture" signifies a mature understanding that engaging with destructive forces only feeds them; true victory lies in severing ties and refusing to give them an audience. The narrative culminates in a profound moment of liberation: "And now you're gone away / I'm no longer choking." This imagery of breathing freely after being suffocated is a powerful metaphor for spiritual deliverance and healing. It evokes the promise of freedom that comes from knowing the truth, for "then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free" (John 8:32). This song beautifully illustrates the journey of realizing that the pain and lies were never truly a reflection of one's own character, but rather the manifestation of a destructive external force finally banished. It’s a powerful testament to finding strength in truth and walking away from everything that diminishes our spirit, embracing the freedom Christ offers from all forms of spiritual and emotional poison.