" I Wan na Get Better " incorporates cut-up piano notes and samples into its arrangement ; Antonoff 's vocals range from baritone to " shout-along anthemic . " Antonoff considers the song his " mission statement " because it goes through every bad thing that has happened to him . Antonoff has stated that " the message is heavy , it ’s not dumbed down " with the verses being literal and the inspiration coming from a place of sorrow following the events of 9/11 , his sister 's death in 2002 , and his cousin 's death during the Iraq War in 2003 . In regards to the line " lost control when I panicked at the acid test " , Antonoff has stated that he " had a horrible experience " with acid and it changed his life
9/11
September 11 attacks
I Wanna Get Better