Song Review: Wannabe by Tom MacDonald

         We’re back for another Friday, and another Tom MacDonald song review.  Today we are going to go a bit back in time to one of Tom’s older song.  As of this posting this song and video came out 10 years ago.  This song is technically one that came out before Tom popped off as a popular rapper talking about current events of today.  

        The song we are looking at is called “Wannabe.”  I have linked the music video down below, as well as a direct link to the video, and have copied out the lyrics for you.  Before ready my analysis and review of the lyrics check out the awesome video that came with it.

Wannabe music video

 

        I have copied out the lyrics here for you.  Read through them if you’d like.  If you’ve just watched the video than feel free to scroll on down to the review part of the post.

[Intro]

This is my song, yeah

This is my song, yeah, yeah

This is my song and I'm dancin' with the Devil

On a highway to hell in the middle of the road

This is my time to decide

[Verse 1]

Uh, Devil in my mind now

Monogamy isn't the only thing I've been lyin' 'bout

I'm in the belly of the beast and I'm ridin' 'round

Rope in my hand, should I hang myself or climb out?

I feel like everyone around me 'bout to make it

And I'm busy with some bitch I only fuck with when I'm faded

They say I'll grow to be a monster, but I am one

Why the fuck you think I've been callin' myself "LeeAnn's Son"?

I ain't Thomas anymore, I ain't honest anymore

I don't give a shit about a broken promise anymore

I got back home from tour like a month ago

And I been in the club gettin' drunk since a month ago

I lost the only girl I've ever loved, bet you knew it

'Cause I said a million times, and now it's true

I swore that she would never ever come before my music

And now I see that every rapper sing the same tune

[Chorus]

This is my song and I'm dancin' with the Devil

On a highway to hell in the middle of the road

This is my time to decide if I'm gonna be a better man

Or cover everything I own in gold

This is not the way

This is not the way

This is not the way

That I, that I, that I, that I... wannabe

[Verse 2]

There's rappers in the city that been talkin' shit

And gangs that's in the city, y'all been talkin' 'bout it too

There's women in the city I been fuckin' with on weekends

While I'm out late with my friends, but I'm still in love with who... hates me

I'm guilty and I'm sure it's slowly killin' me

I'ma take the fall and all responsibility

Uh, Jesus in my heart now

I heard he walked with you, I'll bring the car around

Cause I don't have the time or the energy

To forget about the past or forgive myself for anything, I'm waitin' for it

I just cut this whole tape on a party tip

And now I'm like what the fuck, when's the fuckin' party end?

When I wanted to be good, no one else was

When I wanted to be rich, they wouldn't sell drugs

When she wanted us together, man, I guess I didn't

When I needed her to find me, she went missin'

[Chorus]

This is my song and I'm dancin' with the Devil

On a highway to hell in the middle of the road

This is my time to decide if I'm gonna be a better man

Or cover everything I own in gold

This is not the way

This is not the way

This is not the way

That I, that I, that I, that I... wannabe

[Bridge]

This is not the way

This is not the way

This is not the way

That I, that I, that I, that I... wannabe

This is not the way, let it go now

This is not the way, let it go now

[Verse 3]

Uh, I'm 24 and I'm real enough to say

If I don't make it big by 30 I'ma kill myself

I bet you think that's just some super high thoughts

But I ain't made for a full time position at a real job

I was built to fit perfect in a Maserati

And to be the drunkest at the Grammy after party

I'm in this quiet grey area, no feelin's

I'm in a loud grey Acura, no ceilin's

I been tryna figure out how to do it different

I broke too many hearts and never been religious

I'm all alone and all my friends are in the room

I don't wear wolves or fur but I'm howlin' at the moon, loud

I just don't know what to do now

I should move on while there's no house to move out

Too many wannabes are livin' in my neighborhood

And I refuse to let them call me neighbors 'cause I'm really good

        Let’s take a look at the first part of the song.  In the intro of “Wannabe,” Tom MacDonald opens with a declaration of ownership over his life and the challenges he faces, framing it as his personal song. The imagery of “dancin’ with the Devil” and being “on a highway to hell in the middle of the road” powerfully captures his internal struggle, torn between right and wrong. This metaphor of dancing with the Devil highlights the temptation and destructive choices he’s grappling with. However, the line “This is my time to decide” signals a pivotal moment where he acknowledges that he alone has control over his path forward, emphasizing the theme of personal responsibility and the battle to overcome his demons.

        In the first verse Tom confronts his inner demons and mental health struggles, expressing a deep sense of confusion about his identity and the life he’s created.  He admits to lies and destructive behaviors, including infidelity and substance abuse, revealing how these choices have left him trapped in “the belly of the beast.”  The line “should I hang myself or climb out?” starkly illustrates his battle between self destruction and wanting to change.  He compares himself to others who appear to be succeeding, while he is stuck in meaningless relationships and self destruction.  Tom also reflects on his emotional detachment, revealing that he is no longer the person he once was and doesn’t care about breaking promises or the consequences of those actions.  His heartbreak over losing the woman he loves adds a sense of regret, as he realizes he placed his music above personal relationships, only to find that many other rappers share the same story.  This verse powerfully portrays Tom’s turmoil, self doubt, and the consequences of his past.

        In the chorus Tom reflects on the realization that his life has veered in the wrong direction, symbolized by his “dance with the Devil” and the “highway to hell.” He acknowledges the gravity of his choices, caught between continuing down a self-destructive path or making the decision to become a better person. The line “This is my time to decide” highlights the critical moment he’s facing, where he must choose between materialism and inner growth. Repeating the phrase “This is not the way” underscores his deep dissatisfaction with who he’s become, and his struggle to align his life with the person he truly wants to be. This chorus encapsulates his internal conflict, expressing both the pain of his current reality and his desire for change.

        In the second verse Tom MacDonald reflects on the poor choices he’s made, from engaging in shallow relationships to associating with questionable influences. Despite his love for someone who now hates him, he continues making destructive decisions, feeling the weight of guilt and responsibility for his actions. He acknowledges the presence of faith in his life but feels too overwhelmed by his past mistakes to forgive himself. The line “I don’t have the time or the energy” captures his emotional exhaustion, suggesting that he’s trapped in a cycle of regret and self-doubt. Even when he attempts to be good or change, he feels unsupported, as others around him continue down the same negative paths. This verse highlights his internal conflict, recognizing the harm he’s done while feeling stuck, unable to fully break free from the spiral of bad decisions.        

      In the third verse of “Wannabe,” Tom expresses his unwavering determination to succeed as a rapper, revealing that it’s the only path he can see for himself. He bluntly states that if he doesn’t “make it big by 30 Ima kill myself,” he doesn’t want to continue living, showing how deeply tied his sense of purpose and existence are to his music career. Tom dismisses the idea of living a conventional life with a “real job,” emphasizing that he’s built for the extravagance and chaos of a life in the spotlight. He describes feeling stuck in a “quiet grey area,” emotionally detached and uncertain about his future, yet still driven by his ambition. Surrounded by people he sees as “wannabes,” he sets himself apart, knowing he’s genuinely talented and deserving of success. This verse highlights the intensity of his commitment to his dream and his refusal to settle for anything less.  

        

        Overall, “Wannabe” is a raw and introspective exploration of Tom MacDonald’s inner turmoil as he struggles with identity, past mistakes, and the desire for redemption. In the intro and chorus, he reflects on how his life has veered off course, caught between the wrong choices he’s made and his deep longing to be a better person. The first verse delves into his personal demons, showing how past decisions have left him feeling disconnected from himself and uncertain about his future. In the second verse, he recognizes the damage his actions have caused but feels trapped by guilt and the lack of support from those around him. By the third verse, Tom’s focus shifts to his ultimate goal—becoming a successful rapper—which he sees as his only way to truly live, rejecting any other life path. Throughout the song, Tom grapples with self-doubt, ambition, and the weight of his choices, presenting a powerful narrative of a man torn between who he is and who he desperately wants to become.

Till Next Time Friends,

Words by Ali