Slow
Birds at Night Lyrics
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And I'm just staring at the coffee in my hand
A friend of a friend is getting married
The postcard's buried and I can't seem to send it back
Hope they don't ask me why
I feel like I'm falling behind
And while I'm staying inside
I just want to live like I
I've still got plenty of time
Somebody say it's alright 'cause I don't know
Never learned to take it slow
My old roommate just turned thirty
He's been worried, spent the decade feeling late
Said, Time don't wait for us
I feel like I'm falling behind
And while I'm staying inside
You get ahead
I just want to live like I
I've still got plenty of time
Somebody say it's alright 'cause I don't know
Never learned to take it slow
Don't say it's just a crack in the pavement
When all your neighbors are famous
But your name's still on your shirt
And don't say it's just a matter of waiting
Another low monthly payment
And I could stay here till the first
But I feel like I'm falling behind
And while I'm staying inside
You get ahead
I just want to live like I
I've still got plenty of time
Somebody say it's alright 'cause I don't know
Never learned to take it slow
The lyrics of "Slow" by Birds at Night explore themes of comparison, insecurity, and the pressure to keep up with societal expectations. The song opens with the singer observing a tear in the curtain and feeling stuck, symbolizing their stagnant state. They mention a friend of a friend's wedding, holding a postcard that they can't bring themselves to send back, perhaps indicating a fear of commitment or feeling disconnected from others. The line "Hope they don't ask me why" suggests a fear of judgment or being questioned about their own life choices.
The chorus reveals the singer's feelings of falling behind while others seem to be progressing. They admit to staying inside their comfort zone while others are getting ahead. They express a desire to live their life at their own pace and not be consumed by the pressures of comparison. The line "Never learned to take it slow" suggests a lack of knowledge or experience in finding contentment in the present moment.
The second verse mentions the singer's old roommate turning thirty and feeling worried about their perceived lack of accomplishments. This further emphasizes the pressure to achieve specific milestones by certain ages. The line "Time don't wait for us" implies a sense of urgency and the fear of time slipping away.
The bridge of the song addresses the attempts to rationalize the feelings of being left behind. The singer acknowledges that society may downplay their struggles, treating them as insignificant cracks in the pavement compared to their neighbors' fame and success. There is a sense of frustration as the singer recognizes that they too have dreams and goals, symbolized by their name still being on their shirt. They contemplate waiting for things to fall into place, perhaps referring to the expectation of financial stability or societal milestones, but the uncertainty remains.
Overall, "Slow" expresses the universal experience of feeling inadequate, comparing oneself to others, and the struggle to find contentment and fulfillment in a world that constantly pushes for more.
Line by Line Meaning
There's light on the wall where the curtain is tearing
I see a glimmer of hope amidst the crumbling aspects of my life
And I'm just staring at the coffee in my hand
I find myself lost in mundane things, unable to take action
A friend of a friend is getting married
Other people are progressing in their lives and reaching important milestones
The postcard's buried and I can't seem to send it back
I am holding onto unresolved feelings and unable to express myself fully
Hope they don't ask me why
I fear being questioned about my lack of progress or direction
My old roommate just turned thirty
Someone close to me has reached a significant age, highlighting the passage of time
He's been worried, spent the decade feeling late
He has experienced anxiety and a sense of being left behind as the years pass
Said, Time don't wait for us
Time continues to move forward, regardless of our pace or readiness
Don't say it's just a crack in the pavement
Don't dismiss the challenges and setbacks I face as insignificant
When all your neighbors are famous
Seeing others achieve fame and success makes my own struggles feel more daunting
But your name's still on your shirt
Despite the lack of recognition, I am still true to myself and my identity
And don't say it's just a matter of waiting
Don't belittle the importance of taking action and seizing opportunities
Another low monthly payment
Another small step towards stability, but not necessarily fulfillment
And I could stay here till the first
I could continue to exist in this stagnant state until a certain date or event
But I feel like I'm falling behind
I have a sense of inadequacy and being left behind by others
And while I'm staying inside
While I remain in my comfort zone and hesitate to take risks
You get ahead
Others progress and succeed, leaving me feeling left behind
I just want to live like I
I desire to live authentically and on my own terms
I've still got plenty of time
I reassure myself that there is still ample time to achieve my goals
Somebody say it's alright 'cause I don't know
I seek reassurance from others because I am uncertain about my own path
Never learned to take it slow
I struggle with the concept of pacing myself and embracing a slower, more deliberate approach to life
Lyrics © DistroKid
Written by: Devin Reilly, John Krause
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind