This tag is meant to be used for all musical (side-)projects, artists, and bands, in which Steven Wilson is or was involved in.
Heartattack in a Layby
Porcupine Tree Lyrics
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East of Baldock and Ashford
Feeling for my cell
In the light from the dashboard
Hissing from the road
The smell of rain in the air con
Maybe check the news
Or just put a tape on
Lighting up a smoke
I've got this feeling inside me
Don't feel too good
If I close my eyes
And fell asleep in this lay-by
Would it all subside
The fever pushing the day by
Motor window wind
I could do with some fresh air
Can't breathe too well
(She waits for me.
Home waits for me.)
I guess I should go now
She's waiting to make up
To tell me she's sorry
And how much she missed me
I guess I'm just burnt out
I really should slow down
I'm perfectly fine but
I just need to lie down
We'll grow old together
We'll grow old together
We'll grow old together
Heartattack in a Layby by Porcupine Tree is a song that paints a poignant picture of the struggle with exhaustion, burnout, and the desire for escape. The opening lines establish the physical setting; the singer has stopped his car on the side of the road and is feeling around for his phone. As the song progresses, we get the sense that this is not just a casual stop en route, but rather a deliberate choice to withdraw from the pressures of everyday life. He lights a cigarette and contemplates the idea of just closing his eyes and staying there. There is a sense of detachment in his voice as he describes the world around him, from the rain in the air conditioning to the hissing of the road.
Line by Line Meaning
I pull off the road
I take a break from driving
East of Baldock and Ashford
In a specific location in the United Kingdom
Feeling for my cell
Searching for my mobile phone
In the light from the dashboard
With the help of the car's interior light
Hissing from the road
The sound of tires on wet pavement
The smell of rain in the air con
The scent of rain mixed with the car's air conditioning
Maybe check the news
Possibly watch the news on my phone
Or just put a tape on
Alternatively, listen to music on tape
Lighting up a smoke
Lighting a cigarette
I've got this feeling inside me
Experiencing an internal sensation
Don't feel too good
Not feeling well physically or emotionally
If I close my eyes
Considering the option to rest
And fell asleep in this lay-by
And sleep in this parking area
Would it all subside
Will the negative feelings go away?
The fever pushing the day by
The discomfort overpowering my day
Motor window wind
The sound of wind passing by the vehicle
I could do with some fresh air
I need to breathe some fresh air
Can't breathe too well
Breathing is difficult
(She waits for me.
Home waits for me.)
('She' or significant other) is expecting me to come home soon
I guess I should go now
I suppose I should leave now
She's waiting to make up
She's waiting to reconcile
To tell me she's sorry
To apologize
And how much she missed me
And express how much she has been thinking about me
I guess I'm just burnt out
I suppose I am overworked
I really should slow down
I truly must reduce my workload
I'm perfectly fine but
I'm doing well, but still have concerns
I just need to lie down
I need to rest
We'll grow old together
We will age in each other's company
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Downtown Music Publishing
Written by: COLIN EDWIN BALCH, GAVIN RICHARD HARRISON, RICHARD BARBIERI, STEVEN WILSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind