Let Down
Christopher O'Riley Lyrics

The lyrics to the song Let Down by Christopher O'Riley speak to feelings of disappointment and disillusionment, contrasting the excitement and hope of starting something new with the letdown that often follows. The references to transport, motorways and tramlines invoke the idea of movement, but the starting and stopping and taking off and landing highlight the ultimately unfulfilling nature of this movement. The emptiness of disappointment is emphasized through the image of people clinging to bottles - perhaps seeking solace in alcohol or some other temporary distraction.

The second verse emphasizes this sense of disappointment, using vivid imagery to describe a crushed bug and the futile twitching of wings and legs. The line "Don't get sentimental / It always ends up drivel" suggests that any attempt to find meaning or significance is ultimately futile. However, the chorus provides a sense of belonging in this disappointment - the repetition of "Let down and hanging around" suggests that this feeling is shared, that others understand.

The final verse speaks to a sense of hope or longing - "one day I'm going to grow wings / A chemical reaction / Hysterical and useless". This sense of helplessness in the face of one's own desires and aspirations is echoed in the earlier lines about disappointment, but the reference to growing wings suggests a desire for something greater, something transcendent. Ultimately, however, the song returns to the repetition of "Let down again" - a reminder that disappointment is always lurking.