Meaning of "Can't Not" by Dan Mangan

The lyrics of "Can't Not" present a critical examination of societal expectations and the pressure to conform to them. Mangan questions the legitimacy of these expectations, suggesting that they are based on questionable motivations and potentially rooted in deception. The reference to buying a book based on a movie and dieting hints at the commercialization and commodification of society, where even personal choices are influenced by external forces. The repeated refrain of "Can't sleep, can't taste, can't eat, can't fake, can't be, can't not" reflects a sense of internal conflict and inability to fully embrace or reject societal norms. The mention of being at the "end of Rope Street," relegated to the nosebleeds, symbolizes feeling marginalized or excluded from mainstream society, only to be presented with simplistic solutions that are shallow and easily embraced by others. The song's exploration of perception, with the question "Is my yellow someone's green?" suggests the relativity of reality and the subjectivity of experience. Overall, "Can't Not" challenges listeners to reflect on their own beliefs, actions, and identities in the context of societal pressures and expectations.