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Slow Down
The Academy Is... Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Close the door and take the stairs
Up or down, ups and downs
Well, don't pretend you've never been there
You kiss me like an over-dramatic actor
Who's starving for work
With one last shot to make it happen
You've won the role, you've played your part
You've been cordially invited
But I'm not impressed, and I'm definitely not excited
'Cause the film runs a shallow budget
And the writer's subject script isn't any deeper
So dive right in

Hollywood hills and suburban thrills
Hey you, who are you kidding?
I'm not like them, I won't buy in
Hollywood hills and suburban thrills
Hey you, who are you kidding?
Don't quit 'til 47
Then we'll turn it up, and we'll play a little faster

Take back everything you ever said
You never meant a word of it
You never did
Take back everything you said
You never meant a word of it
You never did

She said
"Alright alright, slow down"
Oh no, oh no, we won't
'Cause I regret everything that I said
To ever make her feel like she was something special
Or that she ever really mattered
Or did she ever really matter?

Hollywood hills and suburban thrills
Hey you, who are you kidding?
I'm not like them, I won't buy in
Hollywood hills and suburban thrills
Just don't count on this summer
Don't quit 'til 47
Then we'll turn it up, and we'll play a little faster

Take back everything you ever said
You never meant a word of it
You never did
Take back everything you said
You never meant a word of it
You never did

I'm not saying that I'm not breaking
Some hearts tonight, girl oh oh
I'm not saying that I'm not breaking
Some hearts tonight, girl
Alright, alright, slow down

Take back everything you ever said
You never meant a word of it
You never did
Take back everything you said
You never meant a word of it
You never did

Hollywood hills and suburban thrills
Hey you, who are you kidding?
I'm not like them, I won't buy in

Hollywood hills and suburban thrills
Hey you, who are you kidding?
I'm not like them, I won't buy in

Hollywood hills and suburban thrills
Hey you, who are you kidding?
I'm not like them, I won't buy in

Overall Meaning

The song "Slow Down" by The Academy Is... depicts the struggles of a relationship that is ending. The lyrics suggest that the relationship was built on pretense and both parties never meant what they said. The first verses suggest a sense of confusion and indecision but at the same time, it is the last chance to make something happen. The reference to Hollywood Hills and suburban thrills represents a desire to live a life of fame and luxury, however, the singer is not willing to conform to the shallow and pretentious behavior often seen in those circles.


The chorus suggests that the singer is regretful and wishes to slow down the pace of their relationship. They feel that they have not treated their partner well and have been insincere in their actions and words. The repetition of "Take back everything you said, you never meant a word of it, you never did" highlights the singer’s uncertainty and regret for their actions.


Overall, "Slow Down" is a reflection on the struggles of relationships, the confusion that comes with the end of a relationship, and the regret that follows. The song encourages self-reflection and honesty in relationships.


Line by Line Meaning

Close the door and take the stairs
Let's forget about everything else and focus on ourselves


Up or down, ups and downs
It's not always easy, but we have to keep moving forward


Well, don't pretend you've never been there
You know exactly what I'm talking about


You kiss me like an over-dramatic actor
You're trying too hard to impress me


Who's starving for work
You're desperate for attention


With one last shot to make it happen
This might be your last chance to make an impression


You've won the role, you've played your part
You've done what you needed to do, now it's up to me


You've been cordially invited
You're welcome to be a part of my life, but that doesn't mean I'm impressed


But I'm not impressed, and I'm definitely not excited
You still have to prove yourself to me


'Cause the film runs a shallow budget
Your motives are superficial


And the writer's subject script isn't any deeper
Your intentions lack substance


So dive right in
This is your chance to show me what you're really made of


Hey you, who are you kidding?
Stop pretending to be something you're not


Don't quit 'til 47
Don't give up too soon, keep striving for success


Take back everything you ever said
You were insincere, take it all back


You never meant a word of it
Your words were empty and hollow


She said "Alright alright, slow down"
Let's take things at a more reasonable pace


Oh no, oh no, we won't
We're not slowing down, we're in this for the long haul


'Cause I regret everything that I said
I said things I didn't mean and now I'm sorry


To ever make her feel like she was something special
I raised her expectations too high


Or that she ever really mattered
I made her feel more important than she actually was


I'm not saying that I'm not breaking some hearts tonight, girl
I know I might be hurting some people's feelings, but it's not intentional


Hey you, who are you kidding?
Stop trying to fit in with the crowd


I'm not like them, I won't buy in
I'll be true to myself even if it means standing out




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: MICHAEL CARDEN, WILLIAM BECKETT

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

Jeffrey Velvet

The memories this brings back.. Im 30, now... Wish I could go back to those days.

juan lizarzaburu

good old days, isnt it? I'm almost 33...but damn, i miss those years

Sem4ph0r3

true that. also 33 😂

Matt L

I'm turning 33 this year guys, and I'm glad I'm not the only one to come back to music like this. Simpler times

Bull Dawg1134

Man, same here, I’m 30. That’s why I came back to this song! Lol
Everything has changed.

Bull Dawg1134

You got us all in our feelings bro lol

7 More Replies...

********

I’m 28 now. How the hell did time go so fast. I swear I was just in 2006 living like I was a rock star, jammin with my high school band playing guitar and singing thinkin we were going to make it some day. Now I’m a 28 year old therapist. I like my career, but I feel like I missed something.

Gaius Baltar

It's never too late. You only get one life, isn't it better to fail trying than to never try at all?

julio enrique Tan

You can still form a band and play songs bro

Chelsea Crocker

The nostalgia is killing me. Take me back to the Fueled by Ramen era!!

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