-Nick Johnson: Vocals, Rhythm Guitar
-Nate Gangelhoff: Bass
-Jeff Matika: Rhythm Guitar, Vocals
-Dan Elston-Jones: Drums
Starting at an Ending
Banner Pilot Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I cringe at words I say,
I'm swimming with the sharks the work week through,
So I'm drowning come Friday.
Reaching front door, turning on the radio, walking to the liquor store.
You're what I came here for, you're what I came here for.
But I've got nothing left - a couple bucks, some cigarettes.
It doesn't really matter where I look,
The directions seem the same.
I'm closing out my nights with Fante books.
If you're happy then why change.
Counting up what's left.
I let it ride on easy bets.
Once I traded in free will it got easy to keep still.
You're what I came here for, what's the point of anything
Starting at an Ending by Banner Pilot is a song chosen by many to describe their struggle with daily life and anxieties. The lyrics imitate a person counting down the days, trying to get through the work week, and looking forward to the weekend to meet up with a lover. The singer of the song feels hopeless as they recoil from some of the words they say, which puts them in a place of uncertainty. The weekly routine is compared to swimming with sharks or drowning, and the final payoff is going out and meeting the person that brings them happiness.
The singer becomes hopeless when they approach the end of their week and do not have anything left, except cigarettes, and a few bucks. The situation is regrettable because they want to make an impact in their life by quitting smoking or doing something positive, but they always come back to the same state of being. They try to quit smoking, but they constantly feel hopeful or full of crap. No matter where the singer looks, they see the same directions, and they conclude that consuming books is better than always trying hard to survive.
In summary, the song is a reflection of how people become demoralized and lose hope due to daily struggles. It indicates how one needs to make the most of what they have and take advantage of any chance to feel fulfilled or happy.
Line by Line Meaning
Counting down the days 'til I'm with you.
Anticipating the next time I will see you.
I cringe at words I say,
I regret the things I've said.
I'm swimming with the sharks the work week through,
I'm dealing with difficult people at work.
So I'm drowning come Friday.
I'm exhausted by the end of the work week.
Reaching front door, turning on the radio, walking to the liquor store.
Returning home and seeking comfort in familiar habits.
You're what I came here for, you're what I came here for.
You are the reason I am here, looking for comfort and companionship.
But I've got nothing left - a couple bucks, some cigarettes.
I have very little resources remaining.
I pick a day to say I'll quit, I'm filled with hope or full of shit.
I make promises to stop, but it's uncertain whether I'm committed or just making empty statements.
It doesn't really matter where I look,
I feel lost and directionless.
The directions seem the same.
Every option available to me feels like a variation of the same thing.
I'm closing out my nights with Fante books.
I'm finding solace in reading and indulging in personal interests.
If you're happy then why change.
If someone is content, there's no need to change anything.
Counting up what's left.
Taking stock of what's remaining.
I let it ride on easy bets.
I make choices with little risk or consequence.
Once I traded in free will it got easy to keep still.
I'm complacent and have given up my personal agency to make choices.
You're what I came here for, what's the point of anything.
Without you, I feel aimless and unfulfilled.
Contributed by Hannah I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.