Meaning of "How" by The Neighbourhood

The lyrics of "How" delve into themes of faith, identity, and self-doubt. The song begins by questioning the very existence of God and the validity of seeking help from a higher power. This reflects the narrator's sense of confusion and disillusionment with religious beliefs. The lines "If you're gone, then how is any of this real?" and "When I'm not, my knees don't even seem to feel" suggest that the narrator's faith is conditional on their perception of God's presence and the benefits they receive from it.

The song then shifts focus to the narrator's struggle with their self-worth and how others perceive them. The lines "How could you tell me that I'm great when they chew me up, spit me out, pissed on me?" and "When they laughed at me, every day, in my face?" reveal the emotional pain caused by the contradictory messages they receive. The narrator questions the sincerity of those who claim they are "great" or that their experiences are predetermined by fate, given the constant ridicule they face.

The lyrics also touch on the perception of time and the uncertain future. The lines "They say the end is coming sooner, but the end's already here" and "That we'll laugh at in a year, or two, or three, or four, or five, whatever" convey a sense of apathy and resignation towards the passage of time and its impact on the narrator's life. This reflects a feeling of being trapped in a cycle of negativity and uncertainty.

Overall, "How" explores the internal struggles faced by the narrator in relation to faith, self-worth, and the influence of others' perceptions. It raises existential questions about the nature of existence and the conflicting messages received from external sources.