Read the full lyrics for Dave’s song Selfish featuring James Blake. Follow the words for this introspective track from The Boy Who Played the Harp.
The lyrics for Dave’s “Selfish” feature a series of probing questions about self-identity and relationship dynamics. The song opens with verses that list “what if” scenarios, creating a rhythmic pattern that draws listeners into a state of reflection. This structure makes the lyrics engaging for singalongs, as the repetitive phrases are easy to recall and recite. The emotional intensity builds throughout the track, providing a cathartic experience for karaoke performances where participants can connect with the raw honesty.
Dave’s portions dominate the track with dense, confessional lines that explore themes of regret, family influence, and fame’s pressures. His delivery switches between rapid-fire flows and melodic hooks, offering variety for those following along with the text. James Blake’s verse introduces a softer, more melodic contrast, with lines about commitment and vulnerability. The interplay between their vocal styles adds depth to the lyrics, making the full text valuable for fans who want to appreciate every layer of the collaboration.
The chorus serves as an emotional anchor, with repeated questions about being “selfish” and feelings of isolation. These sections are designed for audience participation, as the phrases are memorable and impactful. The complete lyrics provide the entire narrative arc, from self-doubt to moments of clarity, allowing listeners to immerse themselves in the story during group singalongs or personal listening sessions.
Produced by James Blake, Santan, Jonny Leslie, Jo Caleb
24 October 2025
1 song, 5 minutes
℗ 2025 Dave / Neighbourhood Recordings
Lyrics
[Verse 1: Dave]
What if I’m selfish? What if I’m the reason behind it?
What if I’m overprotective with family because of how mine is?
What if I’m jealous?
Maybe that’s what’s making me nervous
What if my effort of pullin’ you close are pushin’ you further?
What if I’m selfish?
What if the reason they call me “The Greatest”
Is also the reason that me and you livin’ on different pages?
What if I’m too much?
What if I settled and I didn’t fight?
What if my fear of doin’ it wrong’s the reason I haven’t been doin’ it right?
What if I’m selfish?
What if the kids just wanna be kids
And don’t wanna live in and out of the news and chill
And don’t even wanna be rich?
And what if I’m so self-centred that I don’t even realise what I could miss?
And what if I’m, what if I’m fallin’ in the abyss?
Maybe it’s— (What if I’m—)
Yeah
[Chorus: Dave]
Maybe it’s dark, maybe it’s day, maybe it’s too many nights in L.A.
Look at the house in Surrey and still, all of the feelings we hid in the Hills
Maybe it’s you, maybe it’s me, maybe the media or the provokin’
Gave you my heart, I laid it bare, funny you went and you poked it
What if it’s better with me out the way? What if it’s better with me out the—
Like, what if it’s better with me out the way?
What if I’m poison? What if I’m cancer?
What if I’m dangerous and I’m wild?
Look in my eyes, you’re seein’ a child
What if he’s broken? What if he’s scared?
What if he’s ostracised and vilified?
See, peace is just an illusion
Ain’t got a home, I live in confusion
What if I’m selfish?
[Verse 2: James Blake]
Forever, forever, forever
I manage the symptoms forever
You can love how you want
I know to give is no loss
Can you settle for second
And let go of your idea of heaven?
I know it’s a lot
But it might be all that I’ve got
I wanna throw myself in
Snap off the mask
I want a clown that sings
And a love that lasts
I wanna escape the wedding
Go with you to the carriage
I wanna give you my life
Or at least somethin’ to cherish
But what if I’m selfish?
[Verse 3: Dave]
I done a lot of things I regret
Like announcin’ our split on a text
Don’t know why, but I still buy gifts for my ex
Watchin’ her stories to see if she checks
I’m a mess, I don’t know if my head’s in the game
She told me don’t mention her name
I’m suggestin’ the same, I’ma get through the pain
Wanna see the sunshine, gotta get through the rain
Bag full of trauma, I left on the train
I’m ashamed for the days that I said that I changed, I’m a cheat
Sat in a therapist chair cryin’ like a baby in the middle of a Harley Street
Like I’m fightin’ this sickness that I can’t beat, I’m disloyal
And then I go mad, reflection tellin’ me I’m just like my dad
And this white woman tellin’ me it ain’t so bad
Middle of my sentence she cut me off, like, “Sorry, David, we don’t have any more time
Your appointment till 4 and it’s 3:55”
Bruh, I feel like she wouldn’t even care if I died
Man, I tried all this therapy shit, man, I tried all this therapy shit
Bruh, I know, wouldn’t even say I’m depressed
But I’m low in the Grosvenor Casino in Edgware Road
I’ve got too many sins to atone and a voice in my head, like
At this point, like, at this point where you should’ve been rich, like
At this point where you should’ve had kids, like
At this point, should’ve built you a life, like
Look around you, don’t you feel you’re behind? Like
Look around you, don’t you feel you’re behind? Like
Look around you, don’t you feel like, like
What if I never find love?
Don’t know if it’s scarier, the thought of us two together or bein’ alone
I’m so used to bein’ alone
What if I’m somebody nobody wants?
What if I’m damaged? Or what if I waited too long
And have mould on me? What if I’m cold on me?
What if I cut off the hand that I hold on me?
What if I’m rapidly spiralin’ and tired and jaded?
Or what if I’m faded? Or what if anxiety’s growin’ inside me
That I might have left all my best years behind me?
Or what if I’m scared as I touch twenty-seven
That you don’t appear in my idea of heaven?
Or what if I’m, what if I’m
What if I’m selfish?
