Meaning of "How Are You" by Soko

The lyrics of "How Are You" by Soko delve into the internal conflict that many individuals face when feeling overwhelmed by negative emotions but compelled to respond with a socially acceptable answer when asked how they are doing. The song captures the struggle of wearing a mask to hide true feelings and the challenge of maintaining a facade of being fine when everything inside feels not okay. Through the repetition of the question "How are you?" and the acknowledgment that the only desired response is "BAD" or to cry, Soko highlights the societal pressure to put on a brave face and hide vulnerabilities, even when it feels like one's eyes are betraying the true emotional state. The lyrics speak to the universal experience of feeling the need to suppress genuine feelings for fear of burdening others or facing judgment, illustrating the complexity of human emotions and the struggle to maintain authenticity in a world that often values surface-level positivity over genuine emotional expression.