You've been there. It’s 2:00 AM, the room is dimly lit, and that hypnotic, swirling bassline starts thumping through your speakers. Whether you first heard it on Kevin Parker’s psychedelic masterpiece Currents or through Rihanna’s smoky, faithful rendition on Anti, the same ol mistakes lyrics hit like a physical weight in the chest. It is a song about the frustration of being human. It is about the annoying, cyclical nature of our own personalities. Honestly, it’s a bit of a call-out.
Kevin Parker, the mastermind behind Tame Impala, wrote "New Person, Same Old Mistakes" as the final track for his 2015 album. It wasn't just a song; it was a manifesto of self-doubt. When Rihanna covered it just a year later—keeping the arrangement almost identical—she didn't just pay homage. She validated the universal ache of the song. People often argue about which version is "better," but that's missing the point entirely. The magic is in the words.
The Battle Between "New Person" and the Same Old Sins
The song opens with a confrontation. "I can just hear them now / 'How could you let us down?'" These lines establish a heavy sense of external pressure. Parker wrote this while grappling with his transition from a psych-rock indie darling to a pop-adjacent powerhouse. He knew people would judge him. He knew the "purists" would be disappointed. But then the perspective shifts inward.
The same ol mistakes lyrics aren't actually about what they think. It’s about what you think of yourself.
"I heard about a whirlwind that's coming 'round / It's gonna carry off all that isn't bound / And when it happens, when it happens / I won't be holding on."
This is pure metaphorical gold. The whirlwind is change. It’s the inevitable evolution of a person. But the narrator is tired of fighting it. There is a specific kind of exhaustion that comes from trying to be "better" only to realize you’re still the same flawed person underneath the new clothes and the new habits. You’ve changed your hair, you’ve changed your city, but you’re still making those same choices that keep you up at night.
Why the Dual Perspective Matters
The song features a literal internal dialogue. During the bridge, the pitch shifts, and we hear a different voice—the "skeptic" or perhaps the "old self."
- "Feel like a brand new person." (But you don't know how it feels to be a new person!)
- "I finally know what it's like." (No, you don't!)
It’s a masterclass in representing cognitive dissonance. Have you ever convinced yourself you’ve finally "figured it out"? Maybe you’ve started a new relationship and promised you won't be clingy this time. Or you’ve started a new job and promised you won't procrastinate. The lyrics capture that split second of bravado right before the old patterns kick in. It’s relatable because it’s humiliating.
Rihanna’s "Same Ol' Mistakes" and the Power of the Cover
When news broke that Rihanna was covering Tame Impala, the indie world had a collective meltdown. But "Same Ol' Mistakes" (she shortened the title slightly) became a standout on Anti. Why? Because Rihanna brought a different kind of weariness to the track.
While Kevin Parker’s version feels like a paranoid internal monologue of a studio recluse, Rihanna’s version feels like the public confession of a superstar. When she sings "I can just hear them now," she’s talking about millions of fans and critics. Her delivery is cool, almost detached, which makes the vulnerability of the lyrics even sharper. She didn't change the lyrics. She didn't need to. The same ol mistakes lyrics were already a perfect fit for her narrative of reclaiming her own identity outside of the pop machine.
Interestingly, Kevin Parker was reportedly thrilled with the cover. He told NME that his management sent the track to her team, and she loved it. There was no major overhaul because the original production was already "R&B enough" in its DNA. It’s a rare moment where a cover doesn't try to outshine the original but rather expands the room the original built.
Deep Dive into the Bridge: The Moment of Realization
The climax of the song happens when the beat slows down, and that heavy, distorted synth takes over. This is where the song stops being a "vibe" and starts being a therapy session.
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"Stop thinking that the only option was for you to run / You might as well just let it take you / And tell the man what you've done."
Running is the default. We run from our reputations, our pasts, and our reflections. The lyrics suggest that surrender is the only way out. Not a surrender to failure, but a surrender to the reality of who you are. Stop trying to perform "growth" and just exist in the mess. It's a terrifying thought. Most of us spend our entire lives running from the "man" mentioned in the lyrics—whoever that authority figure or moral compass represents to you.
The repetition of "I know that it's hard to digest" is a direct address to the listener. It's meta. The song knows it's giving you a hard truth. Parker isn't offering a happy ending. He isn't saying, "And then I became a new person and never messed up again." He’s saying, "I’m a new person, but I’m still making the same mistakes, and I have to live with that."
The Compositional Irony
The music itself is incredibly polished. It’s sleek, funky, and meticulously produced. This creates a brilliant irony against the lyrics. The music sounds like a "new person"—it’s shiny and professional. But the words are the "same old mistakes." This tension is what makes the song a staple in "Late Night Chill" playlists while also being a favorite for deep lyrical analysis.
Common Misinterpretations of the Lyrics
A lot of people think this is a breakup song. It’s not. Not really. While you can certainly apply "I finally know what it's like" to a new romance, the "you" in the song is almost certainly the narrator himself.
- It’s not about a toxic ex. It’s about a toxic relationship with your own ego.
- The "them" isn't just haters. It's the ghost of who you used to be and the people who knew that version of you.
- The "whirlwind" isn't a bad thing. It’s the chaos of life that strips away the fake stuff.
People also get hung up on the line "Better late than never / Just don't make me wait forever." In the context of the same ol mistakes lyrics, this sounds like a plea for self-actualization. It’s the impatient desire to finally reach the "end" of your personal growth journey, even though that end doesn't actually exist.
Technical Brilliance and SEO Context
If you're searching for these lyrics, you're likely looking for the specific wording of the outro or trying to figure out if Rihanna changed anything (she didn't, save for a few ad-libs and the title trim). The song has maintained a massive search volume for years because it bridges two very different audiences: the Coachella-going Tame Impala stans and the mainstream R&B hive.
What’s wild is how the song has aged. In 2015, it was a bold closing track. In 2026, it feels like a prophetic anthem for a generation obsessed with "healing" and "self-care." We are constantly told we can "manifest" a new version of ourselves. This song is the reality check. It says you can manifest all you want, but you're still bringing your baggage to the new house.
How to Actually Apply the Song’s Logic to Your Life
Music is great for brooding, but the same ol mistakes lyrics actually offer a weird kind of peace if you look closely.
First, stop the performance. The song highlights how much energy we spend worrying about being "let down" or letting others down. If you accept that you will likely repeat some patterns, you can start to manage them instead of being shocked every time they happen.
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Second, embrace the "whirlwind." Change is messy. The lyrics suggest that the stuff that "isn't bound"—the superficial parts of your identity—will get blown away anyway. Let it happen.
Finally, recognize the dialogue. When that voice in your head starts mocking your progress, acknowledge it. That's the bridge of the song playing out in real life. It’s a part of the process, not the end of the world.
To get the most out of this track:
- Listen to the Tame Impala version for the technical "struggle" of the production.
- Listen to the Rihanna version for the emotional weight of the vocal performance.
- Read the lyrics while not listening to the music; they read like a very modern, very anxious poem.
The "New Person" we all want to be is usually just the "Old Person" with a little more self-awareness. That’s not a failure. It’s just the truth. Stay in the swirl, keep the bass loud, and stop being so surprised when you act like yourself.