Ataxia
Stray from the Path Lyrics

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I want so badly to believe
In the world in the magazines:
Better homes,
Life refined.
(But I'm) without a catalyst,
Without the glossy print.

I'm wearing thin,
Like the conscience of a funeral arranger.
Wearing thin and breaking fast,
Shallow breaths.
Don't look this way
Because I'll pull you in
Because I'll pull you in faster
Than you can say 'GO.'

You'll be all I have; you're fucked.
Times owns my body, and my mind.
Escape is on my mind.
Escape is on my mind.
Life redefined: cyclical days of
Waking, working, regretting.
Listen.
Hear that void?
Listen.
Hear that void?

It's me.
It's me.
It's me.
It's me.

Overall Meaning

The song Ataxia by Stray from the Path is a powerful commentary on the struggles of modern life and the pressure to conform to societal norms. The lyrics express a deep longing to believe in the idealized world presented in glossy magazines - a world of better homes and refined lives. However, the singer feels like he is without a catalyst, without the means to achieve this world. He feels like he is wearing thin, breaking fast, and taking shallow breaths - a clear indication of his anxiety and frustration.

The lyrics also hint at the pressure to conform and the harm it can do. The singer warns the listener not to look his way, as he will pull them in faster than they can say 'GO.' This can be interpreted as a warning against the dangers of blindly following societal expectations and the pressure to conform to a predefined way of living. The reference to Times owning his body and mind also highlights the pervasive influence of media and corporate culture on our lives.

The later lines in the song express a desire for escape, a desire to break free from the cyclical days of waking, working, and regretting. The singer hears a void within him, and we can interpret this as a lack of identity or purpose. The repeating phrase 'It's me' at the end of the song highlights the internal struggle that the singer is going through - a struggle to find his place in the world and to break free from the pressures that are holding him back.

Line by Line Meaning

I want so badly to believe
The singer yearns to believe in the perfect world depicted in magazines.

In the world in the magazines:
The singer is referring to the world that is presented in magazines.

Better homes,
The magazines present an idealized version of home life.

Life refined.
The magazines present a refined version of life.

(But I'm) without a catalyst,
Lacking a catalyst, the artist is unable to achieve the glossy print version of life.

Without the glossy print.
The singer is without the idealized version of life presented in magazines.

I'm wearing thin,
The singer is becoming worn out and tired.

Like the conscience of a funeral arranger.
The artist feels as burdened as a funeral arranger's conscience.

Wearing thin and breaking fast,
The artist is unable to cope well and is quickly breaking down.

Shallow breaths.
The artist's respirations have become shallow, indicating high levels of stress and anxiety.

Don't look this way
The singer is a source of negativity and does not want to burden others.

Because I'll pull you in
The artist warns against getting too close, as they may draw others into their negativity.

Because I'll pull you in faster
The singer warns that they can pull others down faster than they can escape.

Than you can say 'GO.'
One can become trapped before they have time to react.

You'll be all I have; you're fucked.
If someone gets too close, they will be the singer's sole source of support, and thus, they will be in a difficult situation.

Times owns my body, and my mind.
The artist feels consumed and overwhelmed by the pressures of time.

Escape is on my mind.
The artist is preoccupied with the idea of escape.

Escape is on my mind.
The singer is preoccupied with the idea of escape.

Life redefined: cyclical days of
The singer's life has become a monotonous and repetitive cycle of daily activities.

Waking, working, regretting.
The artist wakes up each day, works hard, and then looks back on the day with regret.

Listen.
The artist wants the listener to pay attention.

Hear that void?
The artist wants the listener to pay attention to the emptiness they feel inside.

Listen.
The singer wants the listener to pay attention.

Hear that void?
The artist wants the listener to pay attention to the emptiness they feel inside.

It's me.
The void that the singer is referring to is their own emptiness and lack of fulfillment.

It's me.
The void that the artist is referring to is their own emptiness and lack of fulfillment.

Contributed by Jason O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.