"No One Is Ever Going to Want Me" is a key track from Giles Corey’s acclaimed self-titled album, released in 2011. The solo project of Dan Barrett (of Have a Nice Life), Giles Corey merges dark folk, slowcore, and experimental elements to explore themes of depression, isolation, and existential dread. This piece, in particular, has drawn significant attention for its stark honesty and emotional intensity.
Lyrics & Themes
The lyrics are deeply confessional, employing visceral imagery and repetition to capture a sense of self-loathing and despair:
"I’m armed to the teeth
like a fucking animal
I ruin everything
I get my bony hands on..."
- Self-destruction & Guilt: The narrator characterizes themselves as perpetually ruining everything they touch, likening their presence to a force of destruction.
- Religious & Existential References: Lines like “over the bridge of sighs / we will get a cross like Christ, crucified” entwine personal agony with religious symbolism, framing suffering as cyclical and inescapable1.
- Hopelessness: “It’s like a birth but it is in reverse / never gets better, always gets worse”—the song’s central refrain evokes a reversal of hope, suggesting an ongoing descent rather than a new beginning13.
- Geographic Allegory: The line “New England is mine, and it owes me a living” adds a note of bitter territoriality, as if the landscape itself is complicit in the suffering or somehow owes reparations13.
- Longing for Escape: "I want to feel like I feel when I’m asleep" ends the song, expressing the desire for respite found only in unconsciousness—a brief release from pain1.
Musical Style
- Sound: The track is built around sparse, acoustic guitar, ghostly harmonies, and lo-fi production. This minimalism amplifies the emotional devastation in the lyrics, creating an oppressive yet intimate atmosphere.
- Vocals: Barrett’s delivery is raw and weary, with distant, echoing effects that reinforce the sense of isolation and emptiness.
- Influences: The song bridges dark folk and slowcore, drawing inspiration from acts like Low, Red House Painters, and Smog.
Interpretation & Critical Reception
- The song has been described as an “aural canvas for the exploration of existential dread and self-destruction,” noted for its ability to turn internal torment into a collective experience for listeners also grappling with despair1.
- Critical reception emphasizes the raw honesty of the lyrics and the minimalist arrangement, which together create a communion for those facing similar struggles, rather than merely serving as catharsis.
- Reviews and listeners highlight the resonance of its blunt, unflinching approach to depression and self-doubt34.
Notable Lyrics
| Excerpt | Theme |
|---|---|
| "I ruin everything I get my bony hands on" | Self-blame, destruction |
| "It’s like a birth but it is in reverse, never gets better, always gets worse" | Hopelessness, despair |
| "New England is mine, and it owes me a living" | Bitterness, alienation |
| "Step one / step two / step three / step four, we fall through the floor" | Inevitable decline |
| "I want to feel like I feel when I’m asleep" | Longing for peace, escape |
Legacy
"No One Is Ever Going to Want Me" has become an underground anthem for those wrestling with feelings of alienation and depression. It stands out for transforming private agony into a shared, almost sacred melancholy13. The song is emblematic of Giles Corey’s broader explorations of mental health, existential crises, and the limits of hope.
In summary:
This track is a devastating, beautifully rendered statement on self-destruction, loss, and the fleeting relief of oblivion, delivered with unfiltered sincerity and distinctive sound. It continues to resonate with listeners seeking music that does not shy away from the deepest shadows of the mind13.
