Despair Factor
AFI Lyrics


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Along the path where the stream is talking
I breathe the mist and continue walking
The wood, it whispers in a language of its own

As a sigh escaped my lips
I feel the light caress of fingertips
That steal away the breath and leave me on my own
Waiting by the stairs
Waiting, I despair
Waiting, I despair
Waiting by the stairs

My whole life is a dark room
One, big, dark room

Do I hear the hollow sound?
Footsteps resounding on this frozen ground
Or the familiar disappointment of the echoes of my own?

Waiting by the stairs
Waiting, I despair
Waiting, I despair
Waiting by the stairs

Somehow I ended up here in between
Where there is always the comfort
Of knowing I'll never be seen
When I fall

When I fall
I wait for just one touch

And I fall weightless, endless
Faithless, I'll adore you
A single touch, before I fade
Painless let me pass through

Weightless, endless
Faithless, I'll adore you




A single touch, before I fade
Painless let me pass through

Overall Meaning

In AFI's song The Despair Factor, the lyrics describe a person seemingly lost and wandering, perhaps through a forest or other natural setting. The singer can hear the sound of a stream nearby, but is otherwise alone in the woods. As he walks, he becomes increasingly despondent and despairing, feeling like his whole life is a dark room. He imagines the sound of approaching footsteps, but can't tell if they are real or just echoes of his own thoughts. In the chorus, he repeats the line "Waiting by the stairs / Waiting, I despair," suggesting that he is waiting for something or someone that may never come.


The song's lyrics seem to be about feelings of loneliness and isolation, as well as a sense of hopelessness and despair. The imagery of walking through a dark forest, hearing only the sound of the stream and the whispering of the trees, creates a haunting and eerie atmosphere. The singer longs for someone to touch him, to break through the loneliness, but ultimately acknowledges that he may never find that connection.


Line by Line Meaning

Along the path where the stream is talking
Walking along a path close to the stream which is audible speaks to my soul and gives me a sense of calmness.


I breathe the mist and continue walking
I inhale the mist and push forward on my journey.


The wood, it whispers in a language of its own
The trees, leaves and the whole forest talk to me in a language only understood by nature lovers like me.


As a sigh escaped my lips
A deep breath, so dense that it escapes my lips.


I feel the light caress of fingertips
A slight, gentle touch of fingers that provides physical sensations.


That steal away the breath and leave me on my own
This touch is so powerful that it almost takes my breath away, and I am left to ponder ethereally.


Waiting by the stairs
Sitting and waiting beside the staircase that leads to nowhere.


My whole life is a dark room
My whole life is like spending time in a dark room, where I can't see, where there is only darkness.


One, big, dark room
It's like one giant room that is pitch black and I can't go anywhere else.


Do I hear the hollow sound?
Can I hear the echo of my own voice bouncing back off empty walls?


Footsteps resounding on this frozen ground
The footsteps echo through the sterile environment, and the ground is cold and motionless.


Or the familiar disappointment of the echoes of my own?
Or is it just me, creating an illusion in my head because I’m so used to feelings of letdown.


Somehow I ended up here in between
I have ended up in a place that is between worlds, surrounded by ambiguity.


Where there is always the comfort
In this realm, there is always solace


Of knowing I'll never be seen
In this world, I can be alone and remain unnoticed.


When I fall
If I am to stumble or fall.


I wait for just one touch
My hope is to receive one last touch to ease the pain.


And I fall weightless, endless
And if I do fall, I will go weightless and endless into the abyss.


Faithless, I'll adore you
My trust is fading away but still I find myself worshipping you.


A single touch, before I fade
If it's your touch, I want just one before I become nonexistent.


Painless let me pass through
Let me pass without pain or struggle.


Weightless, endless
Allow me to fall in a weightless endless world.


Faithless, I'll adore you
With lack of Trust but with respect and admiration.


A single touch, before I fade
A slight, gentle touch of you wrapped in one moment to comfort me.


Painless let me pass through
Make it easy for me to leave this world.




Contributed by Christopher E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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