Restless
Barry St. John Lyrics
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And I like to think I live in harmony
Though often times I feel so
Out of tune
Tune out the outside when the bare black sky
Amplifies the good reasons why
These lonely bones keep clattering on and on
Like an automaton
When I’ve got restless legs
Is this fight or is this flight?
Cuz I’ve got restless legs
It’s late eve and I grieve as I re-read
The transcript of my own testimony
Massage my aching muscle memory
And my decision tree is
Binary
And like a whiplash, a big clash
Should I stay or should I go go go back
Lash my stash to the car and catch the vast at last
I can cast off
Pins and needles in my feet
I’ve got restless legs
Where the rubber hits the street
I’ve got restless legs
In the middle of the night
When I’ve got restless legs
Is this fight or is this flight?
Cuz I’ve got restless legs
Pins and needles in my old age
I’ve got restless legs
Where the rubber hits the road rage
I’ve got restless legs
The lyrics to Barry St. John's song "Restless" describe a feeling of being out of place or out of sync with oneself and the world. The singer admits to living a charmed life but still feeling out of tune and struggling to find harmony. The metaphor of restless legs is used to describe this feeling of restlessness and the uncertainty of whether to fight or flee. The lyrics also touch on themes of decision-making and memory, with the singer reflecting on their past choices and questioning whether to stay or go.
The repetition of the phrase "restless legs" throughout the song creates a sense of urgency and agitation, as if the singer is physically unable to sit still. The contrast between the singer's outward appearance of a "charmed life" and their inner turmoil adds depth and complexity to the lyrics. The use of binary language in the line "And my decision tree is binary" suggests a desire for simplicity and clear-cut choices, despite the paradoxical nature of the singer's restless feelings.
Overall, the lyrics of "Restless" invite the listener to reflect on their own experiences of restlessness and uncertainty, and the tension between outward appearances and inner turmoil.
Line by Line Meaning
I admit I live a charmed life acting like my shit don’t stink
Acknowledging that I have a fortunate life, I tend to behave as if I am faultless.
And I like to think I live in harmony
I prefer to believe that I have a balanced and peaceful way of life.
Though often times I feel so
But frequently, I experience a different reality.
Out of tune
I often feel disconnected or unaligned with my surroundings.
Tune out the outside when the bare black sky
I attempt to ignore any distractions outside when the dark sky only highlights valid reasons for my current feelings.
Amplifies the good reasons why
As the night and its darkness make my senses more sensitive, I am more likely to recognize the positives about my unease.
These lonely bones keep clattering on and on
Despite wishing for rest, I can't shake off this feeling of discomfort.
Like an automaton
I feel like a machine going through the motions without thought or feeling.
In the middle of the night
This unease often arises when all is dark and quiet.
When I’ve got restless legs
I experience this discomfort through my legs.
Is this fight or is this flight?
I am unsure if this sensation is a response to danger or a physical reaction to stress.
Cuz I’ve got restless legs
I know that this feeling comes specifically from my legs.
It’s late eve and I grieve as I re-read
At this time of night, I feel sorrowful as I reflect on my past.
The transcript of my own testimony
I analyze my experiences and how they have shaped me.
Massage my aching muscle memory
I try to alleviate the physical discomfort as I recall past events.
And my decision tree is
My thought process when faced with difficult choices is
Binary
Limited to two options, neither of which may feel satisfactory.
And like a whiplash, a big clash
Suddenly, I am struck with a strong sense of conflict.
Should I stay or should I go go go back
I must decide if I should continue with my current path or change direction.
Lash my stash to the car and catch the vast at last
I pack up and prepare to leave, setting out to find a new sense of purpose.
I can cast off
I am ready to let go of my current situation.
Pins and needles in my feet
The uncomfortable sensation in my legs becomes more painful.
Where the rubber hits the street
When I must confront the challenges of reality.
In the middle of the night
Again, these feelings arise when all is dark and quiet.
When I’ve got restless legs
The discomfort is localized in my legs.
Is this fight or is this flight?
I am still unsure if this is a reaction to danger or stress.
Cuz I’ve got restless legs
I continue to attribute this unexplained sensation to my legs.
Pins and needles in my old age
As I grow older, the pain in my legs becomes more pronounced.
Where the rubber hits the road rage
In moments of high stress and conflict.
I’ve got restless legs
This discomfort continues to be centered in my legs.
Lyrics © DistroKid
Written by: John Brownell
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@meinityuptisinit7175
this albums has 2 tracks missing from uk version - long and lonely night and country girl, city man