Band members:
Tim Kasher – lead vocals, guitars, organ
Matt Maginn – bass, backing vocals
Clint Schnase – drums, percussion
Ted Stevens – guitars, backing vocals
Patrick Newbery – miscellaneous instruments
1997 - Such Blinding Stars for Starving Eyes
1998 - The Storms of Early Summer
2000 - Domestica
2003 - The Ugly Organ
2006 - Happy Hollow
2009 - Mama, I'm Swollen
2012 - I Am Gemini
2018 - Vitriola
2019 - Get Fixed
Escape Artist
Cursive Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The lyrics "Escape Artist" by Cursive is a contemplative song about the relentless and exhausting experience of constantly running away from one's problems. It starts with a vivid imagery of a midnight sky where the moon is present in full view, and the shadows are composed of thickets that are swarming with chirping animals such as frogs and crickets. The collective tone of this swarm creates a sense of unease that leads to a feeling of being lost. The song suggests that once you are captured in this web, there is no turning back, and the only way is forward.
The song's theme highlights a fundamental human trait of constantly searching for a better life, free from the struggles of the past. However, the reality is that the past haunts us, and running away from it is a futile attempt. The lyrics pose a question that encapsulates this feeling of hopelessness, asking, "Why are you running away, over and over again? Why are you running in place?" The next verse shifts to a bright daylight scene, where the person's eyes are burning, and something is evident. Even though they know deep down that their old haunts are real and inescapable, they refuse to face them, leading to the haunting lines, "It's just a matter of time before they bury you."
Overall, the song's lyrics depict a sense of helplessness and frustration that one might feel when facing their trauma and problems. It suggests that eventually, we need to face them rather than run away to confront and overcome them.
Line by Line Meaning
Midnight is rising your eyes adjusting on a sullen, distant and persistent moon the shadows are thickets they swarm with frogs and crickets droning a collective tone once you get lost in it there's no need for turning back
The night is in full swing, and you're trying to find your way through the dark. The moon is a constant but distant companion, and the sounds of nature surround you. Once you're lost, there's no going back.
Twilight has pulled you in strong just like that the weather shifts and something triggers your legs to carry on.
You're caught in the transition between night and day, and as the day begins to dawn, something within you compels you to keep moving forward.
Why are you running away over and over again? Why are you running in place?
You keep trying to escape from something, but you're not making any real progress. You're stuck in the same place, running in circles.
Daylight is shining your retinas are burning burning burning something is evident your legs will carry you on.
The sun is up, and it's blinding you. But you know that you can't stop. Something inside you drives you forward, no matter what.
The old haunts are real! It's just a matter of time before they bury you!
Your past mistakes and regrets are still with you, and you know that they will eventually consume you. It's only a matter of time.
Contributed by Leah D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.