The song opens with these confrontational questions. They suggest a sense of self-loathing and confusion about why people—or even her own consciousness—stay attached to a version of herself she finds "monstrous."

The "friend" she wants to bury is ultimately herself, or at least the version of herself that causes her pain. Cultural Impact

"bury a friend" redefined what a pop hit could sound like. It proved that a song could be avant-garde, "scary," and deeply personal while still dominating the charts. It remains a definitive example of "whisper pop" and goth-influenced electronica.