Special

## Music Video

“**Special**” is a song by American singer-songwriter Gabbie Hanna. It was released on May 15, 2020 independently as the third track of her second extended play *Bad Karma*.

## Background

Hanna wrote the song about all of the online hate she receives and how it has taken a toll on her mental health over the years. She sings about how people have made her feel like she doesn't deserve her success and how the media is constantly twisting her words and trying to cancel her for the simplest things.

## Lyrics

**[Verse 1]**

I'm not special

Who the hell am I to think I'm special?

I'm not so well (Thanks for asking)

But you probably figured "What else is new?"

I try my best still but if I die, wind up in some mess

You'll keep my head filled

With the notion that I don't deserve this life that I've built

**[Chorus]**

I'm not special, special

Don't know why I thought I could be someone, I'm no one

To anyone who knows me, I'm a burden, I'm certain

The only thing I'm good for is hurtin' the ones I love

**[Verse 2]**

I wanna be special

But I don't know if it's worth all of this stress

You don't know my struggle, 'cause I don't tell it

If I did, I really don't think you'd be bothered

To hear it, (Anyway)

If I sang a song, would you listen?

Or would you tell me that I'm terrible? (Terrible)

If I played along to ease the friction

Would you still tell me that I'm terrible? (Terrible)

**[Chorus]**

Oh, I'm not special, special

Don't know why I thought I could be someone, I'm no one

To anyone who knows me, I'm a burden, I'm certain

The only thing I'm good for is hurtin' the ones I love

**[Bridge]**

But the ones I love, they really love me

The ones I love, they truly know me

You drag my name, it's kinda funny

'Cause my name makes you lots of money

**[Chorus]**

I guess I'm special, special

Who the hell are you to say I'm not special? Oh, well

Got everybody talking in this hell hole, I'm the devil

Dante wrote me into his inferno

Here we go again

**[Post-Chorus]**

Is this what you came for? You paid for?

To watch somebody burn and crumble and stumble

Then fumble all my words and let you twist them

And listen to all the ugly things you tell me I am

I'm tryin' so hard to understand how

I'm the master manipulator

Who couldn't fool anyone

The monster, reciprocator

Shot no bullets from my gun

The drama queen who never seems to get applause from anyone

I won't be who you say I am

**[Outro]**

If I sang a song, would you listen?

Or would you tell me that I'm terrible?

I won't play along, this game is twisted

And I think that would make me terrible

That would make me—

## Music video

The song's music video, directed by Hok, was released on June 14, 2020. The video represents Hanna's struggles with the media and constant fight with online haters. At first, Hanna is seen cowering from the camera in fear as it is attacking her, the camera representing the media. During the second chorus, she starts punching back and eventually appears to win the fight towards the end of the song as the camera pans away from her. Each hit in the fight is represented by the camera quickly jerking to the side and the time transitioning from day to night.

## References

1. ↑ "Bad Karma - EP". *Apple Music*. May 15, 2020. Retrieved October 4, 2020.
2. ↑ "Gabbie Hanna - Special (Official Video)". *YouTube*. June 14, 2020. Retrieved October 9, 2020.