Song Details
- Album Release Date: 2012
- Genre: show-tunes
Song Meaning of “Rent” by Anthony Rapp
Rent, a song written and performed by Anthony Rapp, speaks of the challenges of living in a big city and the desperate struggle of making rent. It explores our concept of “making it” and our need for validation as a means of survival. Rapp captures the uncertainty of living paycheck-to-paycheck while trying to maintain a sense of purpose and hope in the midst of profound socio-economic inequality.
Rapp sings of the cycle of poverty we often find ourselves in, with our dreams out of reach and our finances insecure. Throughout the song, he reflects on his inner struggles and challenges and how they both propel and obstruct him from his goals. He’s keenly aware of the sacrifices and risk he has to take and the pressure he’s constantly facing.
Rent serves as a reminder of the gravity of our material circumstances. Our rent may always be due, but our presence and personal worth matters too. Rapp urges us to choose our thrills and our fight, dig in and put up a good fight, and to not make it all for naught. In the bridge, he sings of a transformation, of leaving his old self behind and striving to become the best version of himself. He’s making moves, and though his rent may be due again, he isn’t giving up and he’ll meet his own demands.