The meaning of the lyrics of the song "Numb" by the artist "Usher"

In his song "Numb," Usher explores themes of resilience and emotional detachment in the face of life's challenges. The lyrics portray life as a battlefield, highlighting its harsh and unpredictable nature. He encourages embracing challenges, emphasizing the idea that what doesn't kill you makes you stronger.

The core message revolves around the acceptance of both permanence and transience in life. Failure to grasp this duality leads to isolation as one struggles against the inevitable. The chorus of "Numb" serves as a mantra of emotional anesthesia. The speaker urges listeners to become "numb" to pain and disappointment as a survival mechanism, admitting to embracing this approach himself, perhaps to a fault.

The repetition of "I know how you feel" takes on a sardonic tone, emphasizing the disconnect between the speaker and those who haven't yet built walls around their hearts. The song concludes with a challenging question: "Can you feel it?" This could be a question directed inward, testing the strength of the built armor, or a challenge to the listener to break through apathy and embrace feeling again.