Want You Gone

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"Want You Gone"^[1] is a song featured in Portal 2 that plays during the game's credits, as the successor of "Still Alive". As with the former, it is sung from the perspective of GLaDOS after her ordeal with Chell. It was written by Jonathan Coulton and performed by Ellen McLain. It is one of two pop / rock songs featured in the game, the other being "Exile Vilify" by The National.

Overview[]

The song is played as the credits are shown on the right, while the lyrics to the song are on the left. GLaDOS' voice is seemingly clearer and much less robotic, unlike in "Still Alive". The lyrics allude to the plot of Portal 2. At the end of the song, the screen pulls back to reveal that it is part of the space debris floating near Wheatley.

Lyrics[]

Note that the bold words in the following lyrics are displayed, but not sung or spoken:

Forms FORM-29827281-12-2:
Notice of Dismissal

Well here we are again
It's always such a pleasure
Remember when you tried
to kill me twice?

Oh how we laughed and laughed
Except I wasn't laughing
Under the circumstances
I've been shockingly nice

You want your freedom?
Take it
That's what I'm counting on
I used to want you dead
but
Now I only want you gone

She was a lot like you
(Maybe not quite as heavy)
Now little Caroline is in here too

One day they woke me up
So I could live forever
It's such a shame the same
will never happen to you

Severance Package Details:

You've got your
short sad
life left
That's what I'm counting on
I'll let you get right to it
Now I only want you gone

Goodbye my only friend
Oh, did you think I meant you?
That would be funny
if it weren't so sad

Well you have been replaced
I don't need anyone now
When I delete you maybe
[REDACTED] (I'll stop feeling so bad)

Go make some new disaster
That's what I'm counting on
You're someone else's problem
Now I only want you gone
Now I only want you gone
Now I only want you
gone

Trivia[]

A demo of the song was leaked two months before the official release of Portal 2. Minor differences in the song include the pronunciation of Caroline's name and some lyrical changes.
A version with Jonathan Coulton singing is available on his album "Artificial Heart."
At one point during the writing process the song included a verse about GLaDOS's time as a potato.^[2]

References[]

↑ Portal 2 credits
↑ The Final Hours of Portal 2.

External links[]

Game Soundtracks
Soundtracks	Half-Life (Opposing Force • Blue Shift) • Half-Life 2 (Episode One • Episode Two) • Half-Life: Alyx • Portal • Portal 2 • The Orange Box
Songs	Cara Mia Addio! • Exile Vilify • GLaDOS' Song • Still Alive • Want You Gone • You Wouldn't Know
Composers	Kelly Bailey • Jonathan Coulton • Chris Jensen • Mike Morasky • The National
Other	Half-Life: Further Data • Mishaps in the Reactor Chamber

[P2credits-1] Portal 2 credits

[2] The Final Hours of Portal 2.

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[2]