Her work includes Aldous Harding from 2014, Party from 2017, Designer from 2019, and her most recent album Warm Chris from 2022.
PILOT
Aldous Harding Lyrics
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Reacting. Fists dangling
About the same time everyday
Sometimes an outfit blows in from the street
I can bring in the boats and sleep
But the old flag knits and rises
Shells and shards dust the yard
I wish it was white. I wish it was white
I try to be light, stop the low talk
But I am coward and Camus was right
You slide like a bangle down the days arm
And wait in the hand to be given away
But I don't deserve it, I won't wear it
I know it's a gift but Christmas is gone
I'm ashamed of the quiet but I want to be silent
All this practice and still no grace
I get so anxious I need a tattoo
Something binding that hides me
But when the time comes to design it
It opens up like height under a pilot
Like height under a pilot
It opens up like height under a pilot
The song "Pilot" by Aldous Harding is a deep and introspective look into the struggles of the human experience. The opening lines "I don't know how to behave, reacting. Fists dangling, about the same time every day" paint a picture of someone who is struggling with their emotions and feels out of control. The next line "sometimes an outfit blows in from the street" suggests that this turmoil is caused, perhaps, by current events or circumstances outside of their control. They feel powerless and unsettled in their own environment.
The juxtaposition of the line "I can bring in the boats and sleep" with "but the old flag knits and rises, shells and shards dust the yard" suggests that the singer is capable of leading and being productive, but their past experiences and memories continue to haunt them. The line "I wish it was white. I wish it was white, but it needs blood for the new erection" is a vivid and powerful metaphor. The singer wishes for purity and tranquility, but understands that sometimes sacrifice and pain are necessary for growth and renewal.
The lines "I get so anxious I need a tattoo, something binding that hides me, but when the time comes to design it, it opens up like height under a pilot" suggest that the singer is searching for something tangible to help control their anxiety and give them a sense of identity. They want to hide, yet also desire to feel seen and understood. The metaphor of "height under a pilot" implies a sense of control and direction, but also a need for surrender and trust in something greater than oneself.
Line by Line Meaning
I don't know how to behave
I lack social etiquette and manners
Reacting. Fists dangling
My reaction is violent and aggressive
About the same time everyday
It happens every day at the same time
Sometimes an outfit blows in from the street
Occasionally, random objects blow into my space
I can bring in the boats and sleep
I am capable of doing physical work
But the old flag knits and rises
The old flag is tattered but still flies high
Shells and shards dust the yard
Broken pieces are scattered around the yard
I wish it was white. I wish it was white
I desire for things to be pure and pristine
But it needs blood for the new erection
But change requires sacrifice and hardship
I try to be light, stop the low talk
I attempt to be optimistic and positive
But I am coward and Camus was right
However, I am a coward and Camus' philosophy is accurate
You slide like a bangle down the days arm
Time passes by easily
And wait in the hand to be given away
But I'm not worthy of being given a gift
But I don't deserve it, I won't wear it
I feel undeserving and unworthy of receiving anything of value
I know it's a gift but Christmas is gone
I understand it's a gift but the moment has passed
I'm ashamed of the quiet but I want to be silent
I feel guilty about being quiet, but desire to be even more silent
All this practice and still no grace
Despite repetitive attempts, I don't possess any gracefulness
I get so anxious I need a tattoo
I experience extreme nervousness and require a permanent means of comfort
Something binding that hides me
A symbol that makes me feel safe and concealed
But when the time comes to design it
However, when given the opportunity to create it, the possibilities are endless
It opens up like height under a pilot
It's as if there's limitless space and potential
Like height under a pilot
Unrestricted space and infinite potential
It opens up like height under a pilot
It's as if there's limitless space and potential
Lyrics © DOMINO PUBLISHING COMPANY
Written by: Hannah Harding
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind