Get down with the victim
We both know you need them
You're stuck in the middle
Of all irrelevance
And your heart is beating
'Cause you know that you gotta
Get out of the middle
And rise to the top now

When you've made it
Won't ya tell me what to do
'Cause I'm playin' it all wrong
When you made it, when you made it
Won't ya tell me what to do
'Cause I'm playin' it all wrong

You can't fight the friction
So ease it off
Can't take the pressure
So ease it off
Don't tell me to be strong
Ease it off
You can't fight the friction
So ease it off

And get into the system
We both know you need one
The tip of the needle
Is taking over you
And your heart is beating

'Cause you know that you gotta
Get out of the middle
And rise to the top now

When you've made it
Won't ya tell me what to do
'Cause I'm playin' it all wrong
When you made it, when you made it
Won't ya tell me what to do
'Cause I'm playin' it all wrong

You can't fight the friction
So ease it off
Can't take the pressure
So ease it off
Don't tell me to be strong
Ease it off
You can't fight the friction
So ease it off

Oh why can't you let go
Like a bird in the snow
This is no place to build your home

You can't fight the friction
So ease it off
Can't take the pressure
So ease it off
Don't tell me to be strong
Ease it off
You can't fight the friction
So yeah, yeah, yeah
Yeah

Overall Meaning

The song "Friction" by Imagine Dragons is an upbeat and energetic piece that is open to interpretation based on the listener's perspective. The chorus "You can't fight the friction, so ease it off" can be seen as a call to action to navigate the challenges that arise in life by accepting them and adapting accordingly. The line "get down with the victim, we both know you need them" suggest that the singer may have a tendency to get stuck in a rut or feel like a victim, highlighting the importance of seeking change and rising to the top.

Additionally, the line "don't tell me to be strong, ease it off" speaks to the idea that it can be counterproductive to push oneself too hard or to ignore the need for rest or relaxation. Instead of striving for unrealistic levels of strength or productivity, it is important to strike a balance and ease off the pressure.

As a whole, the song promotes the importance of resilience and finding the right balance to overcome obstacles without burning out. The use of a fast-paced and energizing beat reinforces this message and creates a sense of momentum towards progress and success.

Line by Line Meaning

Get down with the victim
Join the group of people who are negatively affected by the circumstances

We both know you need them
You and I are aware that you require them to overcome the situation

You're stuck in the middle
You find yourself in a difficult or confusing situation with no obvious way out

Of all irrelevance
The whole issue seems meaningless, of no importance or value

And your heart is beating
You feel excited or nervous about the prospect of getting out of the middle

'Cause you know that you gotta
You are aware that you must take action to get out of the situation

Get out of the middle
Remove yourself from the difficult position

And rise to the top now
Do everything possible to attain success at once

When you've made it
When you have achieved your objective

Won't ya tell me what to do
Kindly advise me on what steps I should take next

'Cause I'm playin' it all wrong
Because I am currently doing everything the wrong way

You can't fight the friction
It is futile to resist the forces that impede your progress

So ease it off
Slow down or reduce your efforts for a while

Can't take the pressure
The tension, stress, or demands are too much to bear

Don't tell me to be strong
Do not encourage or force me to be resilient or courageous at the moment

And get into the system
Assimilate yourself into a prescribed pattern of behavior or control

We both know you need one
You and I are aware that you require a system to function normally

The tip of the needle
The fine end of the instrument that injects a substance directly into the bloodstream

Is taking over you
You are gradually falling under the influence or control of something

Oh why can't you let go
Why do you find it difficult to release or detach yourself from the situation

Like a bird in the snow
Similar to a bird that is trapped or struggling to fly in a snowstorm

This is no place to build your home
This is not the right environment or situation to establish a stable and secure residence

You can't fight the friction
You cannot win against the resistance that is hindering your progress

So yeah, yeah, yeah
An exclamation of frustration, disappointment, or surrender

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BENJAMIN ARTHUR MCKEE, DANIEL COULTER REYNOLDS, DANIEL JAMES PLATZMAN, DANIEL WAYNE SERMON

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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