The lyrics of "I Do What I Want" by The Real McKenzies talk about feeling like a major minority, being surrounded by cold water and drowning, and facing pragmatic hypocrisy while trying to follow rules that have never fit in. Despite this, the singer asserts their right to do what they want whenever they like, refusing to conform to what they're told and expressing frustration about how their life has turned out.

Meaning of "I Do What I Want" by The Real McKenzies

The lyrics of "I Do What I Want" reflect a sense of rebellion, defiance, and nonconformity against societal norms and expectations. The singer feels like an outsider, a major minority, who is constantly being pushed to follow rules and conform to standards that they do not believe in. They describe the feeling of suffocation and being overwhelmed by the pressures and constraints imposed by the system. Despite this, there is a strong sense of individuality and a refusal to surrender personal agency. The repeated assertion of "I do what I want" underscores the importance of autonomy, self-determination, and the desire to live life on one's own terms, even as the passage of time is acknowledged with the sentiment of "getting old." The song ultimately conveys a message of resilience, resistance, and the pursuit of personal freedom in the face of adversity and societal expectations.