☝️ Key Points
- The artist expresses his inner struggles, insecurities, and desire for love and acceptance
- He plays on the idea that cats have nine lives, suggesting that despite difficulties, he still has 'nine lives' left
- His faith in God and hope for guidance in difficult times are portrayed through the line 'I wear this cross so God can find me if my soul gets lost'
- The line 'I'm hustling, Rick Ross, no days off' showcases his relentless work ethic, while 'Got everything I wanted but I'm still pissed off' portrays his dissatisfaction despite success
- He addresses drugs and alcohol as an escape from his problems, hinted at by 'One drink, one pill, one hit, one line'
- He shows rebelliousness and rejects societal norms, as expressed in 'Parental advisory stickers, I say what the fuck I want'
- With 'I'm a 90s baby, but I always been a hundred' he emphasizes his authenticity and honesty
- The last quote 'I don't need the world, maybe I just need you' shows his desire for love and recognition despite his fame and success
Interpretation
The lyrics of '9 lives' by
Machine Gun Kelly are a profound reflection on his inner struggles, insecurities, and desire for love and acceptance.
In the chorus 'Lived nine lives, so I guess I got nine left' he alludes to the idea that cats have nine lives. With this, he suggests that despite the difficulties and challenges he has faced, he is still alive and ready to move forward.
In 'I wear this cross so God can find me if my soul gets lost' he shows his faith in God and his hope for guidance in difficult times.
The line 'I'm hustling, Rick Ross, no days off' expresses his tireless work ethic to achieve his goals, while 'Got everything I wanted but I'm still pissed off' shows his dissatisfaction and feeling of emptiness despite his success.
'One drink, one pill, one hit, one line' hints at his struggle with drugs and alcohol as an escape from his problems.
In 'Parental advisory stickers, I say what the fuck I want' he shows his rebellious nature and rejection of societal norms, while 'I'm a 90s baby, but I always been a hundred' emphasizes his authenticity and honesty.
Finally, 'I don't need the world, maybe I just need you' points to his desire for love and recognition that persists despite all the success and fame.