Following on my Boygenius hype train, they also released a beautifully cathartic and collaborative track Not Strong Enough that lets everyone shine on vocals and is one of the best tracks from the debut album The Record.
Not Strong Enough - Boy Genius Track Review
Boygenius come in swinging with Not Strong Enough, the atmosphere of this track is genuinely warming. When the Not Strong Enough introduces itself to us we hear an acoustic guitar that’s got some reverb and a backing guitar gets introduced with flange as Phoebe Bridger's heavenly voice opens up ‘Black hole opened in the kitchen, Every clock's a different time, would only take the energy to fix it I don't know why I am’ and then the chorus comes in which see Phoebe and Julien Baker in harmony with each other singing the chorus about not being good enough.
Baker and Dacus are a perfect pair
Then Baker's verse gets introduced to us with Baker singing ‘Drag racing through the canyon, Singing "Boys Don't Cry", some could argue that this is a reference to the cures 1979 track Boys Don’t Cry or just the mentality of the god complex to pick yourself back up.
Always An Angel Never A God Meaning - Boygenius
Lucy Dacus and the rest of the band sing this bridge. ‘Always an angel, never a god’ repeatedly. The meaning of "Always an angel, never a god" comes from women constantly being devalued to being angels compared to men as gods. The band's name Boygenius even plays with this idea and takes the term back from societal norms.
Overall this is an amazing song and I can’t praise Boygenius enough for Not Strong Enough.
What was Not Strong Enough by Boygenius Inspired By?
Phoebe also elaborated that the chorus and really title of the track: Not Strong Enough is inspired by a 1994 single by Sheryl Crow titled ‘Strong Enough’ opening up she detonated that these lyrics are about ‘The two wolves inside us can be self-hatred and self-aggrandizing. Being like, ‘I’m not strong enough to show up for you. I can’t be the partner that you want me to be.’ But also being like, ‘I’m too fucked up. I’m unknowable in some deep way!'’
What is Boygenius - Not Strong Enough About?
In an interview with Rolling Stone Phoebe Bridgers came and said that the Boygenius Not Strong Enough meaning was from ‘Being like, ‘I’m not strong enough to show up for you. I can’t be the partner that you want me to be.’ But also being like, ‘I’m too fucked up. I’m unknowable in some deep way!’ Self-hatred is a god complex sometimes, where you think you’re the most fucked-up person who’s ever lived. Straight up, you’re not. And it can make people behave really selfishly, and I love each of our interpretations of that concept.”
Self Hatred & A God Complex Brought Boygenius Not Strong Enough Together
And each of their interpretations show up as a result of this in Not Strong Enough, with Lucy Dacus following up in a Genius Verified interview with ‘ our own brains?” And then, I think it got more special to me when the element, like, Phoebe has expressed it as self-hatred plus having a God complex – like, sometimes, you feel like you’re the best thing ever –, and both of these states can be happening at the same time.’ which allowed Phoebe Bridgers to open up to love on this track and that is the meaning behind Boygenius Not Strong Enough.
Listen To Boygenius Not Strong Enough
Stream Boygenius Not Strong Enough On Youtube
Where did Boygenius film the Video for Not Strong Enough?
Boygenius Not Strong Enough was filmed in various locations around Los Angeles. It starts with images of roadside scenery, interspersed with a clip of members headbanging while driving, before the band arrives at the Santa Monica Pier.
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Boygenius - Not Strong Enough Lyrics
[Verse 1: Bridgers]
Black hole opened in the kitchen
Every clock's a different time
It would only take the energy to fix it
I don't know why I am
[Chorus: Bridgers, Bridgers & Baker]
The way I am
Not strong enough to be your man
I tried, I can't
Stop staring at the ceiling fan and
Spinning out about things that haven't happened
Breathing in and out
[Verse 2: Baker]
Drag racing through the canyon
Singing "Boys Don't Cry"
Do you see us getting scraped up off the pavement?
I don't know why I am
[Chorus: Baker, Baker & Bridgers]
The way I am
Not strong enough to be your man
I lied, I am
Just lowering your expectations
Half a mind that keeps the other second guessing
Close my eyеs and count
[Bridge: Dacus, Dacus & Bridgers, All]
Always an angel, never a god
Always an angеl, never a god
Always an angel, never a god
Always an angel, never a god
Always an angel, never a god
Always an angel, never a god
Always an angel, never a god
Always an angel, never a god
Always an angel, never a god
Always an angel, never a god
Always an angel, never a god
Always an angel, never a god
[Chorus: Dacus, All]
I don't know why I am the way I am
There's something in the static
I think I've been having revelations
Coming to in the front seat, nearly empty
Skip the exit to our old street and go home
Go home alone
Boygenius Not Strong Enough Lyrics Meaning
A lyrical interpretation of Not Strong Enough By Boygenius
To get another sense of the meaning of the lyrics of Not Strong Enough by Boygenius we need to dive deeper into the lyrics to see what this band of geniuses are thinking.
Not Strong Enough Verse 1:
"Black hole opened in the kitchen, every clock's a different time It would only take the energy to fix it I don't know why I am"
In the opening verse, there's a vivid and metaphorical description of a problem or chaos represented by a "black hole" in the kitchen. The mention of clocks showing different times suggests disarray or a lack of synchronization. The speaker acknowledges that the situation could be fixed with effort but expresses confusion about their own state of being.
Not Strong Enough Chorus:
"The way I am Not strong enough to be your man I tried, I can't Stop staring at the ceiling fan and Spinning out about things that haven't happened Breathing in and out"
The chorus delves into themes of self-awareness and self-doubt. The speaker acknowledges personal limitations, feeling insufficient to fulfill a certain role ("Not strong enough to be your man"). The reference to staring at the ceiling fan and spinning out about things that haven't happened suggests anxiety or overthinking, with a focus on the future.
Not Strong Enough Verse 2:
"Drag racing through the canyon, singing 'Boys Don't Cry' Do you see us getting scraped up off the pavement? I don't know why I am"
In the second verse we can the boygenius not strong enough lyrics meaning of Not Strong Enough shift to a scene of recklessness, with the imagery of drag racing through a canyon and singing "Boys Don't Cry." This may symbolize a search for freedom or escape, but the mention of potential danger ("getting scraped up off the pavement") adds a layer of risk. Again, the speaker expresses uncertainty about their own identity.
Not Strong Enough Chorus (Baker):
"The way I am Not strong enough to be your man I lied, I am Just lowering your expectations Half a mind that keeps the other second guessing Close my eyes and count"
This chorus, sung by Baker, continues the theme of personal inadequacy and deception ("I lied"). There's a sense of intentionally lowering expectations, possibly as a self-protective measure. The mention of "half a mind" suggests internal conflict and uncertainty, with a struggle to maintain confidence.
Not Strong Enough Bridge:
"Always an angel, never a god"
The bridge introduces a repeated phrase, emphasizing a recurring theme of being perceived as an angel rather than a god. This could hint at the speaker's struggle with their own limitations and the expectations placed on them.
Not Strong Enough Chorus Interpretation (Dacus):
"I don't know why I am the way I am There's something in the static I think I've been having revelations Coming to in the front seat, nearly empty Skip the exit to our old street and go home Go home alone"
In the final chorus, sung by Dacus, there's a return to the theme of not understanding oneself ("I don't know why I am the way I am"). The mention of "something in the static" suggests interference or confusion. The speaker reflects on moments of realization ("having revelations") but also hints at a sense of isolation, choosing to go home alone.
These lyrics explore themes of self-awareness, self-doubt, and a complex relationship with identity. There's a recurring motif of not understanding oneself and struggling with personal limitations. The use of vivid imagery and metaphorical language adds depth to the exploration of the speaker's inner conflicts and uncertainties. The collaboration of different singers in the choruses adds layers to the narrative, providing multiple perspectives on the shared theme.
Notable live versions of Boygenius - Not Strong Enough
This song is so beautiful and needs to be praised fully. Take a look at some of our favourite versions from across the internet:
Not Strong Enough Live On Jimmy Kimmel
Also we found this more sullen version from the Phoebe Bridgers appearance on the Taylor Swift Eras Tour.
Phoebe Bridgers - Taylor Swift Eras Tour Not Strong Enough
Boygenius have announced that their going on hiatus for a long time but if we ever get a reunion which hopefully one day we will. Keep an eye on Boygenius website for further tour dates. And why not support the band buy some merch from them?
Don’t forget to check out our review of Boygenius Letter To An Old Poet.
Let us know what you thought of Not Strong Enough by Boygenius.
Further Boygenius Reading
We also recommend checking out the meaning of Bite The Hand by Boygenius. And also our review of Me and My Dog or Stay Down
Have you also checked out the Boygenius B Sides on the Rest?