Icarus
Dan Owen Lyrics


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My heart's beating so hard
Shouldn't be talking so fast
I shouldn't be here at all
Coming up as the sun goes down
Lights in my eyes, alone in the crowd
I only find myself when I lose control

I don't know how I got here
And my head keeps spinning, spinning
But this is what I live for, all I live for

I don't know if I'm flying
Don't know if I'm falling
Don't know if I'm
burning up, burning up, burning up like Icarus
I don't know if I'm flying
Don't know if I'm falling
Don't know if I'm
burning up, burning up, burning up like Icarus
Like Icarus

I should've been more than this
I was gonna be something big
But I never did anything at all
Coming down as the sun comes up
A new day starts but I just can't stop
Now I know I never really had control

Lying on the pavement
And the sky keeps spinning, spinning
But this is what I live for, all I live for

I don't know if I'm flying
Don't know if I'm falling
Don't know if I'm
burning up, burning up, burning up like Icarus
I don't know if I'm flying
Don't know if I'm falling
Don't know if I'm
burning up, burning up, burning up like Icarus
Like Icarus

Too close to the sun
Too messed up to change
Breaking into pieces
Going down in flames
Lost sight of the lies
If the sky turns black
I'm so scared, so scared
It's too late to turn back

I don't know if I'm flying
Don't know if I'm falling
Don't know if I'm
burning up, burning up, burning up like Icarus
I don't know if I'm flying
Don't know if I'm falling
Don't know if I'm
burning up, burning up, burning up like Icarus
Like Icarus





Burning up, burning up, burning up like Icarus
Like Icarus

Overall Meaning

The song “Icarus” by Dan Owen is a poignant and reflective piece about ambition, control, and self-destruction. The song opens with a sense of urgency as Owen sings about his heart beating so hard and his head spinning. He admits that he shouldn’t be here at all, and he only finds himself when he loses control. This paints a picture of a person who is struggling to cope with the pressures they are under and questioning their own abilities.


In the chorus, Owen portrays the internal conflict he is experiencing. He doesn’t know whether he is flying or falling, and whether he is burning up, like Icarus. Owen uses the Greek myth of Icarus who flew too close to the sun and died as a metaphor for his own internal conflicts. He admits to losing control and the aftermath of his actions affecting him. The bridge where he sings about being too close to the sun, messing up to change and going down in flames perfectly encapsulates his sense of failure and sense of having lost control.


In conclusion, Dan Owen’s “Icarus” is a beautifully crafted song that uses the Greek myth of Icarus as a metaphor for a person struggling with ambition, control and self-destruction. It highlights the pain of ambition, the struggle of losing control, and the aftermath of failing to achieve one’s goals. It is a gripping song that manages to capture the tumultuous emotions of the singer.


Line by Line Meaning

My heart's beating so hard
I am anxious and overwhelmed


Shouldn't be talking so fast
I am not in control of my thoughts or words


I shouldn't be here at all
I feel out of place or unworthy


Coming up as the sun goes down
I am staying up late and living recklessly


Lights in my eyes, alone in the crowd
I am surrounded by people but feel isolated


I only find myself when I lose control
I feel alive when I let go of my inhibitions and take risks


I don't know how I got here
I am unsure of the path that led me to where I am now


And my head keeps spinning, spinning
I am confused and disoriented


But this is what I live for, all I live for
I thrive on excitement and adrenaline


I don't know if I'm flying
I am uncertain of my current state and trajectory


Don't know if I'm falling
I fear losing control and crashing


Don't know if I'm burning up, burning up, burning up like Icarus
I fear that my reckless behavior will lead to my downfall and destruction


I should've been more than this
I had high hopes for my life, but have not achieved my goals


I was gonna be something big
I had ambitious dreams and aspirations


But I never did anything at all
I have not taken action to fulfill my potential


Coming down as the sun comes up
I am staying up all night and living recklessly


A new day starts but I just can't stop
I am trapped in my destructive habits


Now I know I never really had control
I realize that my reckless behavior is a symptom of my lack of control in my life


Lying on the pavement
I have hit rock bottom


And the sky keeps spinning, spinning
I feel like everything around me is moving too fast


Too close to the sun
I have taken risks that are too dangerous and will lead to my destruction


Too messed up to change
I am stuck in my destructive habits and cannot change


Breaking into pieces
My life is falling apart


Going down in flames
I am self-destructing


Lost sight of the lies
I have lost sight of the truth and am living in denial


If the sky turns black
If things really fall apart, it will be too late for me to change


I'm so scared, so scared
I am terrified of my own destruction


It's too late to turn back
I am past the point of no return


Burning up, burning up, burning up like Icarus
I fear that my reckless behavior will lead to my downfall and destruction


Like Icarus
I am fearful of the consequences of my actions, like Icarus who flew too close to the sun and fell to his death




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Dan Owen, Jake Field, Sam York

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@alanijanssens

[Verse 1]
My heart's beating so hard
Shouldn't be talking so fast
I shouldn't be here at all
Coming up as the sun goes down
Lights in my eyes, alone in the crowd
I only find myself when I lose control

[Pre-Chorus 1]
I don't know how I got here
And my head keeps spinning, spinning
But this is what I live for, all I live for

[Chorus]
I don't know if I'm flying
Don't know if I'm falling
Don't know if I'm burning up, burning up, burning up like Icarus
I don't know if I'm flying
Dn't know if I'm falling
Don't know if I'm burning up, burning up, burning up like Icarus
Like Icarus

[Verse 2]
I should've been more than this
I was gonna be something big
But I never did anything at all
Coming down as the sun comes up
A new day starts but I just can't stop
Now I know I never really had control

[Pre-Chorus 2]
Lying on the pavement
And the sky keeps spinning, spinning
But this is what I live for, all I live for

[Chorus]
I don't know if I'm flying
Don't know if I'm falling
Don't know if I'm burning up, burning up, burning up like Icarus
I don't know if I'm flying
Dn't know if I'm falling
Don't know if I'm burning up, burning up, burning up like Icarus
Like Icarus

[Bridge]
Too close to the sun
Too messed up to change
Breaking into pieces
Going down in flames
Lost sight of the lies
If the sky turns black
I'm so scared, so scared
It's too late to turn back

[Chorus]
I don't know if I'm flying
Don't know if I'm falling
Don't know if I'm burning up, burning up, burning up like Icarus
I don't know if I'm flying
Dn't know if I'm falling
Don't know if I'm burning up, burning up, burning up like Icarus
Like Icarus

[Outro]
Burning up, burning up, burning up like Icarus
Like Icarus



@ravendangernavy3575

My heart's beating so hard
Shouldn't be talking so fast
I shouldn't be here at all
Coming up as the sun goes down
Lights in my eyes, alone in the crowd
I only find myself when I lose control

I don't know how I got here
And my head keeps spinning, spinning
But this is what I live for, all I live for

I don't know if I'm flying
Don't know if I'm falling
Don't know if I'm
burning up, burning up, burning up like Icarus
I don't know if I'm flying
Don't know if I'm falling
Don't know if I'm
burning up, burning up, burning up like Icarus
Like Icarus

I should've been more than this
I was gonna be something big
But I never did anything at all
Coming down as the sun comes up
A new day starts but I just can't stop
Now I know I never really had control

Lying on the pavement
And the sky keeps spinning, spinning
But this is what I live for, all I live for

I don't know if I'm flying
Don't know if I'm falling
Don't know if I'm
burning up, burning up, burning up like Icarus
I don't know if I'm flying
Don't know if I'm falling
Don't know if I'm
burning up, burning up, burning up like Icarus
Like Icarus

Too close to the sun
Too messed up to change
Breaking into pieces
Going down in flames
Lost sight of the lies
If the sky turns black
I'm so scared, so scared
It's too late to turn back

I don't know if I'm flying
Don't know if I'm falling
Don't know if I'm
burning up, burning up, burning up like Icarus
I don't know if I'm flying
Don't know if I'm falling
Don't know if I'm
burning up, burning up, burning up like Icarus
Like Icarus

Burning up, burning up, burning up like Icarus
Like Icarus



All comments from YouTube:

@rogerhinde9422

As an old guy now nearly 67 I have always had an interest in music. I just have to say Dan Owen is one of the finest talents I have ever heard. Heard ICARUS for the first time yesterday and have played it many times since. Stunning Dan - just brilliant.

@popescudenis7562

i listened this song like a thousand times

@elisabethvergauwe6954

Why isn't this a hit? Seriously, love it. So real.

@lyndadiane88

Long time fan. I love this song and it hits even more home lately.

@pondguard22

Randomly came across this song on a Spotify Playlist & it's unreal. Will definitely be keeping up with your stuff from now on. Keep it up!

@Danowenmusic

pondguard22 awesome! So glad you like it :)

@beautybabyxo1841

Same!!! I love it omg

@Cetix

I heard that song the first time on a concert in Berlin. And now here on youtube the second Time. I think its a very good sign, that you know after 1 time hearing the Refrain and starts too sing so fucking loud, that you neighbour start to knock on the door =D=D Thanks Dan for this experience!!! Hope we will seew you soon back in Berlin =)

@finleyclifton1389

Feels like I've been waiting for a music video for this forever and i only discovered your music yesterday. I haven't stopped playing it all on repeat! There's something about the sheer emotion in your voice which makes all your pieces so visual! Love it. Keep up the awesome Work!

@sop1493

That voice gets me every time. Great tune

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