What We Hate
Screeching Weasel · My Brain Hurts [1991]
The way things go
I don't think so
The changes that alter us
Are a product of our own volition
And we become what we hate
It's not hard to figure out
That you're scared when
You act so much better
You're holding onto
Something we can't have
But hands still circle
You're still getting old
And we become what we hate
Do you believe in the lies
That shape your world
Do you believe in your
Own fictitious immortality
The world won't end while
You walk the earth
And when you realize that
Your life don't matter
You'll turn to something to help
You forget that you're
Only young once, old forever
What We Hate
Released on Screeching Weasel's 1991 album My Brain Hurts, 'What We Hate' stands as a quintessential example of the band's signature blend of punk energy and melodic sensibility. The track exemplifies the group's ability to fuse aggressive rhythms with catchy hooks, a hallmark of their sound that defined the early 1990s indie-punk landscape. Recorded during a pivotal era for the band, the song reflects the raw, DIY ethos that characterized their discography while showcasing their evolution beyond their earlier hardcore roots. It remains a staple of their catalog, often cited by fans and critics alike as a defining recording that captured the spirit of the post-punk revival movement. The song's enduring appeal lies in its tight instrumentation and the band's characteristic vocal delivery, which balances frustration with melodic grace.