By 2017, several of Cutler's songs (including "Your Shirt") garnered numerous streams and led to collaborations that year with acts like Louis The Child ("Slow Down Love"), ayokay ("The Shine"), Kidswaste ("Tonight"), and Kasbo ("Found You"). She signed a record deal with Ultra Records in late 2017 and released her first EP, "Snow In October". After touring with Quinn XCII in early 2018, Cutler released two independent mixtapes, "Sleeping With Roses" and "Sleeping With Roses II." She also went on her first two nationwide headlining tours in support of each mixtape, both of which sold out in advance.
In March 2019, she signed to Republic Records and released a joint EP, "brent", with friend and label-mate Jeremy Zucker shortly after. The EP features the single "you were good to me", which they performed live on The Today Show. It was also pressed on a limited edition white vinyl through the retailer Urban Outfitters. It was limited to a run of 1000 copies pressed. In May 2019, Cutler collaborated with Kygo on the single, "Not OK". It became her third collaboration (after "Slow Down Love" and "The Shine") to appear on the Billboard Dance/Electronic Songs chart, peaking at number 9.
In late 2019, Cutler began releasing new singles, including "How To Be Human" and "Lucky" (featuring Alexander 23). Along with "Sad Tonight", the songs served as the primary singles for her debut studio album, How To Be Human, released on January 17, 2020 by Republic Records. On January 23, 2020 she performed the lead single, "Sad Tonight", on Late Night With Seth Meyers. That song became Cutler's first entry on the Billboard Mainstream Top 40 airplay chart, peaking at number 32 in March 2020. In April 2020, she was featured alongside Quinn XCII on the Louis The Child track, "Little Things".
Cutler was also slated to perform at Coachella 2020, which was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In June 2020, she released a version of her song "Crazier Things" which features Noah Kahan.
For music, videos, tour dates, & merch head to: https://www.chelseacutler.com/
Hunting Season
Chelsea Cutler Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But Heaven isn't for someone like me
And I would only hurt you
Standing on your shoulders in the deep
It's hunting season
Always all or nothing
My legs are so tired
Why the hell am I
So devoid of any meaning?
What is living for
If you don't know what to believe in?
It's been so hard for so long
It's been so hard for so long
Where did I go so damn wrong?
It's been so hard
The forest has a fire
But all it ever seems to do is rain (all it ever seems to do is rain)
And I wish I was lying
So you would never have to hold my weight (would never have to hold my weight)
It's hunting season
Heading into winter
Running from the gun
But it's my hand on the trigger
Why the hell am I
So afraid of going deeper?
I blame everybody
But the person in the mirror
It's been so hard for so long
It's been so hard for so long
Where did I go so damn wrong?
It's been so hard
I'm scared I'll always be this way
That people will not wanna stay
That I'll wake up forever hoping I just make it through the day
That I'll make myself smaller to fit someone else's version
That I'll lay down on my deathbed an unhappy fucking person
It's hunting season
I don't have a weapon
I am at your mercy
I was just a freshman
Why the hell am I
Somewhere in between the crossfire?
I say that I'm fine
I have become such a good liar
The lyrics to "Hunting Season" by Chelsea Cutler delve into themes of self-doubt, inner turmoil, and the constant struggle to find meaning and self-acceptance. The song explores the idea that despite wanting to be loved and accepted, the singer believes they are not deserving of it because they would only end up hurting others. The reference to "Heaven" implies the fear of not being good enough for something greater.
The chorus, "It's hunting season, always all or nothing," suggests that the singer feels constantly on the hunt for something, whether it's validation, purpose, or happiness. The exhaustion expressed in the line, "My legs are so tired, how is anybody running?" emphasizes the weariness that comes from constantly chasing after something that seems elusive.
Throughout the song, there is a sense of self-blame and self-doubt. The line, "Where did I go so damn wrong?" reflects a deep introspection and perhaps a feeling of regret or disappointment in oneself. The singer struggles with their own demons, feeling trapped between a desire to go deeper within themselves and a fear of what they may find.
The final verse reveals the singer's fear of always feeling this way, of people leaving because they are unable to handle their struggles, and the constant pressure to conform to others' expectations. The line, "That I'll lay down on my deathbed an unhappy fucking person," encapsulates the fear of a lifetime of unhappiness and a lack of fulfillment.
Overall, "Hunting Season" conveys a raw and vulnerable perspective on the internal battles of self-worth, fear, and the longing for connection and understanding.
Line by Line Meaning
Patience is a virtue
Being patient is considered a good quality
But Heaven isn't for someone like me
However, I believe that I am not deserving of happiness or a higher state
And I would only hurt you
If you get close to me, I will end up causing you pain
Standing on your shoulders in the deep
Metaphorically relying on you for support, even in dark times
It's hunting season
Metaphorically, it is a time of chasing after something or someone
Always all or nothing
I always approach things with extremes, no middle ground
My legs are so tired
I am exhausted from running and trying so hard
How is anybody running?
I wonder how others are able to keep going
Why the hell am I
Why do I question myself so much
So devoid of any meaning?
Feeling empty and lacking purpose
What is living for
What is the point of existence
If you don't know what to believe in?
When you are uncertain about your beliefs and values
It's been so hard for so long
Life has been incredibly difficult and challenging for an extended period
Where did I go so damn wrong?
I reflect on the mistakes I made and how they led me here
The forest has a fire
There is chaos or turmoil within me
But all it ever seems to do is rain
Despite the turmoil, it feels like nothing ever improves
And I wish I was lying
I wish I could pretend that everything is fine
So you would never have to hold my weight
So you wouldn't have the burden of supporting me
Heading into winter
Metaphorically entering a cold and harsh phase or situation
Running from the gun
Trying to escape or avoid a dangerous situation
But it's my hand on the trigger
Realizing that I am responsible for my own struggles
So afraid of going deeper?
Feeling scared to explore my emotions and confront deeper issues
I blame everybody
I tend to hold others accountable for my unhappiness
But the person in the mirror
When in reality, the true source of blame lies within myself
I'm scared I'll always be this way
I fear that I will never change or improve
That people will not wanna stay
I worry that others will not want to be around me
That I'll wake up forever hoping I just make it through the day
Every day, I will continually hope to survive without any real fulfillment
That I'll make myself smaller to fit someone else's version
I will diminish myself in order to meet someone else's expectations
That I'll lay down on my deathbed an unhappy fucking person
My fear is that I will live a life full of unhappiness and regret
I don't have a weapon
Metaphorically, I am defenseless and vulnerable
I am at your mercy
I am completely dependent on your kindness and compassion
I was just a freshman
I was young and inexperienced when I started this journey
Somewhere in between the crossfire?
Caught in the middle of conflicting forces or situations
I say that I'm fine
I claim to be okay and unaffected
I have become such a good liar
I have gotten skilled at deceiving others about my true emotions and struggles
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Chelsea Emily Cutler
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@sidseverino
LYRICS:
Patience is a virtue, but Heaven isn't for someone like me
And I would only hurt you, standing on your shoulders in the deep
It's hunting season, always all or nothing
My legs are so tired, how is anybody running?
Why the hell am I so devoid of any meaning?
What is living for if you don't know what to believe in?
It's been so hard for so long
It's been so hard for so long
Where did I go so damn wrong?
It's been so hard
The forest has a fire, but all it ever seems to do is rain
And I wish I was lighter, so you would never have to hold my weight
It's hunting season, heading into winter
Running from the gun, but it's my hand on the trigger
Why the hell am I so afraid of going deeper?
I blame everybody but the person in the mirror
It's been so hard for so long
It's been so hard for so long
Where did I go so damn wrong?
It's been so hard
I'm scared I'll always be this way
That people will not want to stay
That I'll wake up forever hoping
I just make it through the day
That I'll make myself smaller to fit someone else's version
That I'll lay down on my deathbed, an unhappy fucking person
It's hunting season, I don't have a weapon
I am at your mercy, I was just a freshman
Why the hell am I somewhere in between the crossfire?
I say that I'm fine, I have become such a good liar
Listen to my song "Divine Roses"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pkzv9Nzby-k
@suhaib_BM
I'm going out for a drive just to listen to this whole album again
@TheFishiefish
It’s so damn good. It feels like a mature and self aware version of Chelsea and the album feels so well mended. Put your windows down on that drive!
@glenndoverryan
That little stutter in "for so long" is absolutely killer ❤❤❤
@excelgladiator944
The outro to the song where its just her vocals and guitar is pure bliss
@willfranklin1834
You should’ve performed this on jimmy ..who’s your manager?? This is your most accessible song and it’s simple structure forms an epic combination of replay ability and anticipation for what’s to come on the rest of the album. This is the song you should get tired of performing live..in a good way.
@alexkalimbwe
Beautiful song❤
@iamiraclej
Wow I'm so speechless ❤❤
@vincentsommer3626
Happy tears every time I hear this Chelsea 🥲
@CyrrilE
claiming as my fave
@austinking7332
Goddamn, queen