THE OFFSPRING – Self Esteem (1994)

“Self Esteem” is a song by American punk rock band the Offspring. It is the eighth track and second single from their third studio album, Smash (1994). The song was released on 22 December 1994 by Epitaph and was a worldwide hit, reaching number one in Iceland, Norway, Latvia and Sweden. “Self Esteem” was nominated for the 1995 MTV Europe Music Awards for Best Song. The song also appears as the third track on their Greatest Hits (2005). Its music video was directed by Darren Lavett.

[Intro] La, la, la-la-la La, la, la-la-la

[Verse 1] I wrote her off for the tenth time today And practiced all the things I would say But she came over, I lost my nerve I took her back and made her dessert

[Pre-Chorus] Oh, I know I’m being used That’s okay, man, ’cause I like the abuse I know she’s playing with me That’s okay ’cause I’ve got no self-esteem

[Chorus] Oh, way, oh yeah, yeah Oh yeah, yeah Oh yeah, yeah Oh yeah, yeah

[Verse 2] We make plans to go out at night I wait ’til two, then I turn out the light This rejection’s got me so low If she keeps it up, I just might tell her so

[Chorus] Oh, way, oh yeah, yeah Oh yeah, yeah Oh yeah, yeah Oh yeah, yeah

[Post-Chorus] When she’s saying, oh, that she wants only me Then I wonder why she sleeps with my friends When she’s saying, oh, that I’m like a disease Then I wonder how much more I can spend Well, I guess I should stick up for myself But I really think it’s better this way The more you suffer The more it shows you really care Right? Yeah

[Verse 3] Now I’ll relate this little bit It happens more than I’d like to admit Late at night, she knocks on my door She’s drunk again and looking to score

[Pre-Chorus] Oh, I know I should say no But it’s kind of hard when she’s ready to go I may be dumb, but I’m not a dweeb I’m just a sucker with no self-esteem [Chorus] Oh, way, oh yeah, yeah Oh yeah, yeah Oh yeah, yeah Oh yeah, yeah

[Post-Chorus] When she’s saying, oh, that she wants only me Then I wonder why she sleeps with my friends When she’s saying, oh, that I’m like a disease Then I wonder how much more I can spend Well, I guess I should stick up for myself But I really think it’s better this way The more you suffer The more it shows you really care Right? Yeah