Meaning of "Pride" by Echo & The Bunnymen

The lyrics of "Pride" delve deeply into the themes of expectation, pressure, and validation from family and society. The repetition of family members asking if the singer minds them laughing or singing with him, as well as urging him to do something to make them proud, shows the weight of their expectations on his shoulders. There is a sense of performance anxiety and a fear of falling short, as evidenced by mentions of heading for a fall and being laughed at. The repeated refrain "Do it" emphasizes the demand for action and success, heightening the pressure felt by the singer. The conflicting ideas of wanting to please others and the fear of being judged when trying to do so create a complex emotional landscape that speaks to the universal experience of struggling to meet expectations while also grappling with personal doubts.