If you’ve ever turned the radio to a rock station in the last fifteen years, you’ve heard that distinctive, distorted growl. It’s heavy. It’s cinematic. It’s Skillet’s "Monster." Released in 2009 on the album Awake, the feel like a monster lyrics didn’t just climb the charts; they became a permanent fixture in the cultural psyche of anyone who feels a bit at odds with their own skin. Honestly, it’s one of those tracks that transcends the "Christian rock" label people try to pin on the band. It’s a song about the darkness we all try to hide.
The song is currently certified 5x Platinum by the RIAA. That isn't just luck. It’s because the words tap into a universal anxiety. John Cooper, the band's frontman and primary songwriter, has often spoken about the specific inspiration behind the track. He wasn't trying to write a horror movie theme. He was trying to describe the internal struggle between the person he wanted to be and the person he actually felt like in his worst moments.
The Dual Meaning of the Feel Like a Monster Lyrics
Most people hear the song and think of Jekyll and Hyde. That’s a fair comparison. The lyrics literally mention a "secret side" that the singer keeps "hidden under the bed" or "locked in his head." It’s an aggressive metaphor for the shadow self.
But there’s a nuance here that casual listeners miss.
For many fans, the song is a direct allegory for addiction. When Cooper sings about "the beast inside," he's describing the loss of control that comes with a craving or a relapse. For others, it’s about mental health—specifically the way clinical depression or anxiety can make you feel like you’ve been replaced by a version of yourself you don't recognize. The "monster" isn't a literal creature; it’s the person you become when you’re not okay.
Interestingly, within the context of Skillet’s faith, the song is often interpreted as a struggle with "the flesh" or sin. It’s the Pauline struggle from the New Testament—the idea of doing the things you hate and being unable to do the things you want. But you don't need to be religious to get it. If you’ve ever lost your temper and regretted it five minutes later, you know exactly what it means to feel like a monster.
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Breaking Down the Hook
"I feel like a monster."
It’s a simple line. Yet, the delivery makes it. There’s a raw, guttural quality to the vocals that mirrors the frustration of the lyrics. The song doesn't offer a clean resolution in the chorus. It stays in the struggle. It’s a "cry for help," as the lyrics explicitly state.
Why the Song Exploded in Gaming and Sports
If you go on YouTube, you’ll find thousands of "AMVs" (Anime Music Videos) and sports highlight reels set to this track. Why? Because the feel like a monster lyrics also work as a hype anthem. There is a secondary interpretation where "the monster" is the unstoppable athlete or the powerful protagonist. It’s the "beast mode" mentality.
This duality is what gave the song its legs. It’s used by people who are hurting, but it’s also used by people who want to feel powerful. It’s a weirdly perfect Venn diagram of vulnerability and aggression.
The Production Behind the Chaos
Howard Benson produced the Awake album. If that name sounds familiar, it’s because he’s worked with everyone from My Chemical Romance to Daughtry. He has a knack for making heavy music sound incredibly polished without losing its bite.
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In "Monster," the production emphasizes the "chugging" guitar riffs. This repetitive, rhythmic pounding mimics a heartbeat or a ticking clock. It adds to the feeling of being trapped. When the strings kick in during the bridge, the song shifts from a standard hard rock track into something more operatic. It feels big. It feels like a movie.
That’s a huge part of why it stays on the Billboard charts for "Digital Song Sales" years after its release. It’s cinematic. It creates a world.
Common Misconceptions About the Song
Some people think the song is about literal lycanthropy or vampires. This was 2009, after all—the height of the Twilight and True Blood craze. While the timing definitely helped the song’s popularity, John Cooper has been pretty clear that the "monster" is a metaphor for the human condition. It’s not a supernatural story.
Another misconception is that the song is purely "angry." If you look closely at the feel like a monster lyrics, there’s more fear than anger.
- "Why won't someone pull me out of this?"
- "I'm hiding from the sun."
- "My secret side I keep hidden."
These aren't the words of someone who enjoys being a monster. They’re the words of someone who is terrified of being found out. It’s a song about shame. Shame is a much more powerful emotion than anger, and it’s what gives the song its lasting emotional weight.
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The Legacy of Awake
When Awake was released, it debuted at #2 on the Billboard 200. That was a massive deal for a band that had been grinding since the mid-90s. "Monster" was the lead single that proved Skillet could hang with the biggest mainstream rock bands in the world.
It also changed how the industry looked at "cross-over" acts. You didn't have to hide your message to be successful, but you did have to make sure your art was relatable to people who didn't share your worldview. "Monster" succeeded because everyone, regardless of their background, has felt like they have a "beast" inside them that they’re trying to tame.
Actionable Takeaways for Listeners
If you find yourself constantly returning to this song, it might be worth looking at why. Music is a mirror.
- Identify the "Monster": Is the song a hype track for you, or is it reflecting a struggle? Understanding your own reaction to art is a great way to check in on your mental health.
- Explore the Genre: If you like the blend of hard rock and strings, look into other Howard Benson-produced tracks or bands like Red and Breaking Benjamin. They occupy a similar sonic space of "orchestral angst."
- Check the Live Versions: Skillet is known for their high-energy live shows. Seeing the song performed live—often with pyrotechnics and John Cooper’s "CO2 cannons"—changes the context from an internal struggle to a shared experience with thousands of other people.
The feel like a monster lyrics serve as a reminder that we aren't alone in our darker moments. Sometimes, just admitting that you feel like a monster is the first step toward feeling human again. The song doesn't provide a cure, but it provides a voice for the frustration. And sometimes, that’s exactly what you need to get through the day.
To dive deeper into the band's evolution, you can check out their later albums like Dominion or Victorious, where they continue to explore these themes of internal conflict and resilience. But for many, "Monster" will always be the definitive statement on the battle within. It’s raw, it’s loud, and it’s unapologetically honest.