The song "Bullet with Butterfly Wings" by The Smashing Pumpkins is a commentary on the feeling of powerlessness in the face of the world. The opening verse paints a bleak picture of a life drained away by forces beyond one's control, with "secret destroyers" playing their game and promising "betrayed desires" in return. The pre-chorus and chorus reveal the narrator's increasing frustration, as despite all their attempts to cope, they remain trapped in a cage of their own making. The middle eight brings a moment of awareness, as the narrator makes a plea for change and acceptance. The intensity of the frustration and hopelessness is echoed in the outro, with the narrator still believing that they cannot be saved. Ultimately, the song speaks to the struggles of those facing the world's injustices, and the internal battles we all experience in the search for understanding and acceptance.