Spiral
Astral Swans Lyrics

In the song "Spiral" by Astral Swans, the lyrics express a sense of confusion and duality in time and existence. The opening lines, "One day ahead one day behind, I’m begging you to turn me into clear light," suggest a desire for clarity and a longing to escape the cyclical nature of time. The singer feels trapped in a liminal space, unable to move forward or backward, and seeks illumination or enlightenment to break free.

The reference to singing "ghost songs quieter than silent night" evokes haunting memories or emotions that linger in the shadows. It conveys a feeling of loneliness and detachment from the world, as if the singer's voice is fading into the void. The repetition of the refrain, "If the world is just an idea in our head, I’ll close my eyes & forget about it," underscores a sense of disillusionment and a willingness to retreat into introspection or denial.

The lyrics also touch on themes of loss and unrequited love, with the singer lamenting that their loved ones are gone and didn't reciprocate their affection. This emotional pain is juxtaposed with the mundane routine of everyday life, symbolized by the passage of time from morning until night. The longing to "get it back to every other day" suggests a desire to return to a sense of normalcy or stability in the face of grief.

The final lines, "Oh I’ll tell you what I’ve learned after a while, Sometimes at the bottom of a spiral, It’s just more spiral," speak to the cyclical nature of life's challenges and the inevitability of facing new obstacles. The metaphor of a spiral signifies the repetitive patterns and struggles that the singer encounters, hinting at a sense of resignation or acceptance of life's ups and downs. Despite any insights gained from experience, the singer acknowledges that sometimes there is no clear resolution, and one may find themselves stuck in a never-ending cycle of uncertainty and change.