CORTIS – What You Want. Lyrics Meaning: An Unapologetic Anthem for the Wildly Ambitious
Ever have one of those days where you feel like you’re buzzing with an energy you just can’t contain? It’s not just restlessness; it’s a deep, thrumming desire for more. More adventure, more success, more life. It’s that feeling of standing on a starting line, hearing a gunshot in your head, and just wanting to sprint towards everything you’ve ever dreamed of, all at once. It’s a powerful, almost overwhelming, sensation of pure, unfiltered ambition.
Well, if you could bottle that feeling, distill its raw power, and set it to a beat that makes you want to punch the air, it would sound exactly like “What You Want” by CORTIS. This track is so much more than just a high-energy banger; it’s a full-blown declaration of intent, a look inside the mind of someone who refuses to settle for ‘good enough’. Let’s dive in and unpack the powerful story this song is telling.
The Ultimate Wishlist in “What You Want” by CORTIS
Right from the get-go, CORTIS doesn’t waste any time. The song explodes with a simple, powerful command that sets the stage for everything to come. It’s a chaotic, energetic invitation to grab life by the horns.
Crash, smash, rock, mash up
Ooh, take what you want
And what exactly is on this list of wants? It’s not just one thing; it’s the whole package. The kind of success that young dreamers spend nights thinking about.
don, meot, myeongye, love and what?
Money, style, honor, love and what?
Ooh, take what you want
This isn’t a greedy demand. It feels more like a mission statement. CORTIS is laying it all out on the table—the material wealth, the cool factor, the respect, and the human connection. The “and what?” is the brilliant part. It suggests the list is endless, that the hunger for more is a constant state of being.
From Daydreams to a Passport Stamp
The song quickly gives us the backstory to this ambition. It didn’t just appear out of nowhere; it’s been brewing for a long time. There’s a sense of urgency, a feeling that waiting around is no longer an option.
Life’s too fast, mwol deo chama, ijen dwaesseo (What you want?)
Life’s too fast, what more can I endure, I’m done now (What you want?)
I want to see the whole world
dojang jjigeo, naui passport (What you want?)
Stamp it, my passport (What you want?)
This is so relatable. It’s that moment you realize life is short and you’ve got to start making moves. The passport isn’t just a travel document; it’s a symbol of breaking boundaries, of experiences waiting to be had. Then, CORTIS drops a line that adds so much depth, painting a picture of a young visionary.
Well, imae pido an mallasseul ttae gyehoekhan haengbo (What you want?)
Well, the path I planned when the blood on my forehead hadn’t dried yet (What you want?)
This Korean idiom is fantastic. “When the blood on my forehead hadn’t dried” basically means “when I was just a kid,” or “when I was still green.” It tells us this isn’t a new dream. This is the culmination of plans laid out in youth, of promises made to a younger self. He left home to find exactly what he’s been chasing all along.
The Hunger for More: No Settling Allowed
One of the most powerful themes in the song is the complete rejection of mediocrity. CORTIS makes it clear that just a little taste of success isn’t going to cut it. The appetite is massive and all-consuming.
An Insatiable Appetite
jeokdanghiron baega chaji ana (ana)
Being moderate won’t fill my stomach (won’t)
deurikyeo, yuh, machi hama (hama)
Gulp it down, yuh, like a hippo (hippo)
I mean, how great is that imagery? He isn’t just sipping from the cup of success; he’s gulping it down like a hippo, an animal known for its huge mouth. It’s a bold, almost funny, way of saying, “I want it all, and I want it now.” This is followed by a legendary rock reference that perfectly captures the song’s spirit.
Smelling like a teen, machi Nirvana (Nirvana)
Smelling like a teen, like Nirvana (Nirvana)
By name-dropping Nirvana’s “Smells Like Teen Spirit,” CORTIS connects his own youthful, rebellious energy to one of the most iconic anthems of teen angst and anti-establishment feeling ever made. It’s a brilliant way to communicate that this drive comes from a place of raw, untamed youth.
The Ultimate Prize
So, after chasing money, style, honor, and love, what’s the real endgame? The song builds to its most honest and vulnerable confession. It’s about recognition. It’s about leaving a mark.
So now, I want the whole world to know my name
This line hits hard. It’s the core desire that fuels the entire track. After a lifetime of chasing—17 years, as he mentions—the ultimate prize is to have his identity and his work known by everyone. It’s not about ego; it’s about the validation of a dream long-held.
This song is a reminder that it’s okay to be ambitious. It’s a green light to want more, to dream big, and to chase those dreams with everything you’ve got. It champions the idea that your youthful energy is your greatest asset and that you shouldn’t apologize for your hunger to make an impact on the world.
What an incredible anthem for anyone who’s ever felt that fire in their belly. But that’s just my take on it. What does this song make you feel? Do you connect with this intense desire for more, or do you hear a different story in the lyrics? Let’s talk about it!
