heavy focus
AdriAnne Lenker Lyrics


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Cemetery at night and the dog's in heat
The great grey owl howls and you're probably right
Believe in, better to be leaving
Oh, oh, oh oh

Terrifying like a gun, like a gun store
The wind roared, invisible like a blank
Ghost blanket
No tress bent
Shaky like the first dance
Shaky like the first time
Our palms met in the clam sweat
Heavy focus
Focus, focus, focus

Set the camera to the flash
For a portrait of the spirit
Only way it's gonna last
To be near it
Heavy focus, focus
Focus, focus




Focus, kiss
Focus, focus

Overall Meaning

The song "Heavy Focus" by AdriAnne Lenker is a haunting and introspective piece that captures the emotions and feelings of fear and uncertainty. In the first verse, Lenker paints a picture of a cemetery at night, with a dog in heat and a great gray owl howling in the distance. This eerie setting is juxtaposed with the idea that the listener is "probably right" about something, possibly referring to an intuition or instinct. The chorus repeats the phrase "better to be leaving" as if urging the listener to escape this unsettling atmosphere.


The second verse continues to use vivid imagery to describe the fearful atmosphere. Lenker compares the terror of the situation to that of a gun store and the wind that roared, invisible like a blank ghost blanket. The use of the word "invisible" here adds to the sense of uncertainty and inability to see what is happening around us. However, there is also a sense of vulnerability in the lines about the first dance and first time, possibly referring to a romantic or intimate encounter. The phrase "our palms met in the clam sweat" creates a tactile sensation of nervousness and fear. The chorus repeats the word "focus" as if the singer is trying to concentrate and stay sharp amidst the chaos.


Line by Line Meaning

Cemetery at night and the dog's in heat
The darkness of the graveyard is interrupted by the sound of a dog in heat.


The great grey owl howls and you're probably right
The hooting of the owl signifies something ominous and you might be mistaken if you don't take it seriously.


Believe in, better to be leaving
It's better to trust your instincts and leave when something doesn't seem right.


Oh, oh, oh oh
The artist expresses excitement and apprehension about the next event.


Terrifying like a gun, like a gun store
The fear that the artist feels is as terrifying as being inside a gun store.


The wind roared, invisible like a blank
The wind is strong and overwhelming, but still remains invisible like a blank sheet of paper.


Ghost blanket
There's a haunting feeling in the air that's hardly noticeable.


No trees bent
There's no visible sign of any disturbance or movement.


Shaky like the first dance
The anxiety and nervousness felt by the artist is akin to the jittery feeling people experience during their first dance.


Shaky like the first time
The unease is similar to the first experiences of anything in life.


Our palms met in the clam sweat
Their hands were slippery due to sweat when they clasped together.


Heavy focus
The artist is determined to stay focused.


Focus, focus, focus
The singer is reminding themselves to concentrate on the task at hand.


Set the camera to the flash
They are setting up the camera to capture a bright and vivid moment.


For a portrait of the spirit
To capture the essence of the moment in a photograph.


Only way it's gonna last
Taking a picture is the only way to preserve the moment.


To be near it
Being in the moment is important.


Heavy focus, focus
The singer is determined to remain attentive and focused on the present moment.


Focus, focus
They are reminding themselves to concentrate.


Focus, kiss
Instructing themselves to capture the essence of the moment in a tender and intimate kiss.


Focus, focus
They are reminding themselves to concentrate.




Lyrics © DOMINO PUBLISHING COMPANY
Written by: Adrianne Elizabeth Lenker

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@camig5632

Cemetery at night and the dog's in heat
The great grey owl howls and you're probably right
Believe in, better to be leaving
Oh, oh, oh
Terrifying like a gun, like a gun store
The wind road
Invisible like a blank, ghost blanket
No trees bent
Shakey like the first dance
Shakey like the first time
Our palms met in the clam sweat
Heavy focus
Focus, focus, focus
Set the camera to the flash for a portrait of the spirit
Only way it's gonna last to bе near it
Heavy focus
Focus, focus
Focus, focus
'Cus, focus, focus



All comments from YouTube:

@magicknight13

Adrienne Lenker once again squeezing my heart like a stress ball with these lyrics and this melody 😭😭😭😭😭

@emmablank8791

Heavy folk kiss

@nicksimons7391

faux kiss :=0

@emmablank8791

@@nicksimons7391 oh shiiit ;-O

@darkconcept.

@@nicksimons7391 focus

@scoobybag

Foe chris

@conor557

Such a beautiful song. So grateful for her music

@aspiresk8boarding

Made me cry... hard. Damn u Adrianne, making me reflect on my life 😭

@3nrique983

this song is so pure

@al4prez13

She is so, so brilliant.

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