"It Might Not Be What You Want (But It's What I Need)" is the first single from Ryan Ross Hernandez' second and final studio album, The Chronicles of a Hopeless Lover. The song will be made available for digital download on October 27, 2009, but will be released to radio the day before.

Song meaning

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Hernandez talked to MTV News about the meaning of the song in question.

"In my mind the song is a bittersweet portrait of death that speaks with abrupt bluntness. It's lyrically swift but I feel like it still has they perfect amount of edge and mainstream capability even though my label almost killed me when I told them that I wanted to release this song, the only punk rock number on it, the only song that isn't about relationships as the first single off the album. But I'm really proud of it, its by far, the heaviest track I've ever recorded as a soloist."

Reception

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Coming Soon...

Music video

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The music video was filmed on October 3, 2009 in the outsides of Nashville, Tennessee at a graveyard. It will be released to the public Friday, October 30th, 2009 at 7:00 AM on AMTV, as well as all MTV platforms, networks, and websites.

Chart performance

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Coming Soon...

Track Listing

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CD single

1. "It Might Not Be What You Want (But It's What I Need)" - 4:05
2. "It Might Not Be What You Want" (Acoustic) - 3:56
3. "Where are You Now?" (Acoustic Demo) - 4:34

7" picture disc vinyl

1. "It Might Not Be What You Want (But It's What I Need)" - 4:05
2. "It Might Not Be What You Want" (Acoustic) - 3:56

Digital download

1. "It Might Not Be What You Want (But It's What I Need)" - 4:05

Lyrics

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It Might Not Be What You Want (But It's What I Need)

"This is for all my friends and family.
Something I need you to understand.
The accident, the overdose, the suicide whatever it was.
Malpractice, the homicide, etcetera.
Something took me sooner than we planned.
Now take these steps for me.
It might not be what you wanted, but it's what I need.
No funeral!
There's not a goddamn dime you need to spend.
I won't be there to thank you in the end.
Put me in the ground to decompose and inside of your heart always.
This is for all my friends.
Who are these motherfuckers?!
Behind my eyes, they never knew me in life.
No, no casket please. I'll rot out with the leaves.
No clothes for me to wear. The dirt won't care.
Don’t scatter any ashes.
Scatter all my things to the deserving ones who really need.
No production here, so assholes walk around and try to get your sympathy and say,
"I'm glad it wasn't me."
And with that said, just say a prayer for me today.
Although God and I, we never really spoke anyway.
I tried a lot of times, but he never wrote back.
And I know there's no headstone where I'm lying.
I'm no father!
No brother!
No husband!
No son!
There's nothing real important you can write about me.
So where do you go when you're crying?
Just hold on to a memory of me inside of your heart always."