Music is weird. One day you’re humming a melody because it’s catchy, and the next, you’re staring at the ceiling at 3 a.m. realizing the songwriter was actually describing your entire life. That’s the persistent magic behind keep away from me lyrics. Whether you are talking about the soul-crushing blues of the mid-20th century or the aggressive, distorted trap of the 2020s, that specific sentiment—the "get back" or "don't touch me" energy—is a universal human shield.
People search for these lyrics for a dozen different reasons. Maybe they’re looking for the vintage, desperate crooning of Bill Withers. Perhaps they’re hunting for the raw, nihilistic energy of modern underground rap like Suisside or the viral TikTok sounds that sample these themes. Honestly, the phrase "keep away from me" isn't just a line in a song; it’s a boundary set in rhythm. It’s about protection. It’s about burnout. Sometimes, it’s just about being fed up with the world’s noise.
The Soulful Foundation: Bill Withers and the 1970s
You can’t talk about this phrase without mentioning the legend, Bill Withers. In his 1972 track "Use Me," he flips the script on the idea of being used, but it’s his deeper cuts and the era’s general vibe that often get confused with the literal "keep away" search. However, the most direct "keep away" energy of that era often came from the blues-rock and soul crossover artists.
Think about the context of the early 70s. The summer of love was dead. People were cynical. When an artist sang about keeping distance, they weren’t being "edgy." They were surviving. When you look at the keep away from me lyrics from a historical lens, you see a transition from "please love me" to "please leave me alone so I can heal."
It’s a specific kind of fatigue.
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The Modern Dark Wave: Why It’s Viral Now
Fast forward to the current era. If you’ve been on TikTok or Spotify Lately, you’ve probably heard the darker, more aggressive iterations. Artists like Suisside have leaned heavily into this aesthetic. His track "Keep Away" is a prime example of why these searches spike.
The lyrics are sparse. They’re repetitive. They feel like a panic attack set to a beat.
"Keep away from me / I don't want your company."
It’s blunt. There is no poetic fluff here. In a world where we are constantly "connected" through screens, the desire to physically and emotionally disconnect has become a massive cultural trend. We call it "protecting your peace," but in the music, it sounds a lot more like a warning.
The production usually mirrors this. You’ll hear heavy bass, lo-fi distortion, and vocals that sound like they were recorded in a basement at midnight. This isn't music for a sunny day at the beach. It's music for the drive home after a shift you hated.
The Misunderstood Samples
A lot of people find themselves searching for keep away from me lyrics because they heard a three-second clip in a "thirst trap" or a "sigma edit" online. Often, these are slowed-and-reverb versions of older songs.
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Take "Who Is She?" by I Monster. The lyrics actually say "Who is she? A misty memory," but due to the distorted nature of internet remixes, people often mishear lyrics or associate the feeling of the song with the phrase "keep away." This happens all the time. The internet has a way of turning a vibe into a search term, even if the artist never actually said the words.
Why We Are Obsessed With Setting Boundaries in Music
There is a psychological component to why these lyrics trend. Music serves as a "social surrogate." When you’re feeling antisocial, listening to someone else scream or sing about staying away makes you feel less like a jerk for wanting solitude.
Clinical psychologists often point out that music with aggressive boundary-setting helps listeners process anger without acting on it. It’s cathartic. You aren't actually telling your boss to "keep away" (though you might want to), but Suisside or Bill Withers can say it for you.
- Emotional Regulation: It helps you vent.
- Identity: It signals to others that you’re in a "don't bother me" phase.
- Validation: It proves your feelings of isolation are shared by others.
The Country and Rock Angle
Don't think for a second this is just a rap or soul thing. Rock and roll has a long-standing obsession with the "Keep Away" motif. Think of the 90s. The grunge era was essentially built on the foundation of "everyone stay ten feet back."
While not the exact title, the sentiment in lyrics by bands like Alice in Chains or even the more punk-leaning acts often centers on the toxicity of proximity. They talk about how being close to people leads to disappointment.
Then you have the country side of things. There’s a gritty, outlaw country vibe where "keep away" is a literal warning about a shotgun or a fence. It’s less about "mental health" and more about "get off my porch." This diversity in meaning is why the search term is so evergreen. It covers everything from a broken heart to a territorial dispute.
Sorting Through the Search Results
If you’re trying to find a specific song, the sheer volume of tracks with these lyrics can be overwhelming. Here is a quick way to narrow it down based on the "vibe" you’re looking for:
If it sounds like a 90s rock anthem, you might be thinking of "Keep Away" by Godsmack. This is one of the most famous entries in the genre. Released in 1998, it’s a staple of hard rock radio. Sully Erna’s vocals are pure grit, and the lyrics are a direct demand for space.
If it sounds like modern underground rap, it’s likely the aforementioned Suisside. This is the one blowing up on social media edits. It’s short, punchy, and fits the "dark aesthetic" perfectly.
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If it sounds like vintage soul or funk, you’re looking at the 70s era. Look for artists like The Meters or even deep cuts from Motown artists who were starting to experiment with more "loner" themes as the hippie era faded.
The Technical Side: Why Does Google Show You These?
It’s actually pretty interesting how the search engines handle this. Because "Keep Away From Me" is such a common phrase, Google has to use something called latent semantic indexing. Basically, it looks at what else you’ve been searching for.
If you just looked up "best bass settings," it might serve you the rap version. If you just looked up "classic rock festivals," it’ll give you Godsmack. We’re living in an era where the context of your life dictates the lyrics you find.
Actionable Insights for Music Lovers
Finding the right version of keep away from me lyrics shouldn't be a chore. If you're looking for music that fits this mood, don't just stick to the top search result.
- Check the BPM: If you want something to workout to, search for the Godsmack version. If you want to melt into your couch, go for the slowed/reverb Suisside edits.
- Look for Samples: If you hear a "keep away" line in a hip-hop song, use a site like WhoSampled. Artists often pull these lines from obscure 60s records, and the original is usually even better than the remix.
- Use Lyrics as Prompts: If you’re a creator, these lyrics are gold for captions. They communicate a mood instantly without you having to write a paragraph about why you're tired.
- Verify the Artist: Always double-check if the lyrics are "Keep Away" or "Stay Away." Nirvana’s "Stay Away" is often confused with this search, but it carries a very different, more frantic energy.
Music is a tool for distance just as much as it is for connection. Whether you're blasting Godsmack to clear a room or nodding along to a lo-fi beat to clear your head, these lyrics provide the vocabulary for our need to be alone. Sometimes the best thing a song can do is tell the rest of the world to take a step back.