Sometimes a song lyric hits a nerve so specific that it stops being just music and starts being a mood. Or a warning. That’s exactly what’s happening with the phrase take me places that tear up my reputation. It’s raw. It’s a bit messy. It captures that exact moment where you decide that being "good" or "respectable" is significantly less interesting than actually feeling something.
You've probably seen it floating around TikTok or Instagram captions. It’s got that dark, cinematic energy. It’s the sound of someone choosing chaos over comfort. But where did it come from? Why is it suddenly everywhere? Honestly, the answer says a lot more about our current culture’s obsession with "reputation" than you might think. We live in a world where everyone’s brand is curated to death. When someone sings about tearing that brand apart, people listen.
The Origin of the Sound
If you’re looking for the source, you’re looking for Artemas.
The song is called "i like the way you kiss me," and it basically set the internet on fire in early 2024. Artemas Diamandis, a British-Cypriot singer-songwriter, managed to bottle a very specific type of late-night, synth-heavy nostalgia that feels both brand new and like something you heard in a dark club in 1995. The lyric take me places that tear up my reputation isn’t just a throwaway line; it’s the emotional anchor of the track.
The track blew up because it sounds like a secret. It’s got this driving, lo-fi production that feels gritty. When he drops that line about reputation, it taps into a universal desire to escape the "perfect" versions of ourselves we present to the world. It’s about a relationship—or maybe just a night—that is definitely bad for your long-term goals but feels incredible in the moment.
Why This Specific Lyric Stuck
Social media has turned us all into PR managers for our own lives. You think about your "grid." You think about your LinkedIn presence. You think about what your ex's mom thinks of your stories. It’s exhausting.
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So, when a song says take me places that tear up my reputation, it’s offering a form of catharsis. It’s the musical version of "burn it all down." People are using this lyric to soundtrack videos of them doing things that aren't "brand safe."
- Maybe it's a night out that went way too long.
- Maybe it's a career pivot that looks like a mistake on paper.
- Maybe it's just wearing an outfit that's "too much."
The genius of the line is its ambiguity. "Tearing up a reputation" sounds violent and destructive, but in the context of the song, it’s framed as a request. It’s consensual destruction. You’re asking someone to lead you into the fire.
The Psychology of "Bad" Choices
Psychologists often talk about the "shadow self," a concept popularized by Carl Jung. It’s the part of us we keep hidden because it doesn't fit into society's neat little boxes. Most of the time, we’re busy polishing the "persona"—the mask we wear.
Take me places that tear up my reputation is a direct invitation for the shadow self to come out and play. It’s a rebellion against the pressure to be "consistent." In a digital age where your "permanent record" is literally every Google search and social post, the idea of intentionally ruining your reputation is the ultimate act of freedom. It’s punk rock for the Gen Z era.
The Artemas Effect and the Alt-Pop Renaissance
Artemas isn't an overnight success, though it might seem like it. He’s been grinding in the indie-pop scene for years, slowly refining a sound that blends pop melodies with alternative, almost industrial textures. "i like the way you kiss me" succeeded where other songs failed because it didn't try too hard to be a "radio hit."
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It felt authentic.
The success of this track—and that specific lyric—highlights a shift in what listeners want. We’re moving away from the ultra-polished, sunshine-y pop of the 2010s. We want things that feel a little bit dangerous. We want lyrics that acknowledge that sometimes, we want to make the "wrong" choice.
Real World Impact: From Lyrics to Lifestyle
It’s not just a song anymore. It’s a trope. You see "reputation tearing" as a theme in fashion—the "indie sleaze" revival is a perfect example. It’s about looking like you stayed up all night, smeared eyeliner and all. It’s a visual representation of the lyric.
Brands are even trying to catch the wave, though usually with less success because nothing kills a "bad reputation" vibe faster than a corporate marketing team trying to look edgy. But the core sentiment remains: there is a high market value in being unbothered by what people think of you.
What We Get Wrong About "Reputation"
Usually, when we talk about a reputation being "torn up," we think of scandals or failures. We think of people losing their jobs or being canceled. But in the world of this song, tearing up a reputation is an upgrade. It’s about trading a boring, safe reputation for a thrilling, unpredictable one.
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It’s the difference between being "the reliable one" and "the one who has stories."
How to Lean Into the Vibe (Responsibly)
If you’re feeling the urge to take me places that tear up my reputation, you don't actually have to ruin your life. You just have to stop asking for permission to be yourself.
- Stop over-curating. Post the blurry photo. Share the weird thought. The most "reputable" thing you can be is honest.
- Say yes to the "unproductive" thing. Our culture is obsessed with optimization. Sometimes the best thing you can do for your soul is something that serves no purpose other than being fun.
- Find your "places." Whether it's a literal dive bar, a new hobby that people think is "weird," or a travel destination that isn't on the Top 10 lists, find where you feel the most unobserved.
- Listen to the music. Sometimes you just need to put on the headphones, turn up the bass, and let Artemas tell you that it's okay to be a little bit messy.
The reality is that your "reputation" is mostly a figment of other people's imaginations anyway. You can't control it, so you might as well have a good time while it's being "torn up." That’s the real takeaway of the song. It’s a call to live in the moment, even if the moment is a little bit destructive.
It’s about finding the beauty in the debris.
Next time you hear those synths kick in and that line drops, don't just sing along. Think about what part of your "perfect" image you're ready to let go of. Usually, the thing on the other side of a ruined reputation is a much more interesting life.
Practical Steps for Reclaiming Your Time and Identity
- Identify the "Performance": Take five minutes to write down three things you do solely for your "reputation" that you actually hate doing.
- The "Shadow" Test: Next weekend, do one thing that is completely "off-brand" for you. If you’re a gym rat, spend the day reading a book in a dark cafe. If you’re a homebody, go to a concert alone.
- Audit Your Feed: Unfollow three accounts that make you feel like your life needs to be more "polished." Replace them with creators who lean into the "tear up my reputation" aesthetic—people who are real, raw, and a little bit chaotic.
Your reputation is a cage. If you’re not careful, you’ll spend your whole life making sure the bars are shiny. Break a few. See what happens.