Drifting
Distant.lo Lyrics

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Took her on a fast ride
The back streets and the night sky
Drifting on a breeze
Riding our ten speeds
She made it look so easy
Drifting on a breeze
We stopped at the over pass
Where are they coming from why do they go so fast

And I felt I loved you then

But I couldn't do it
I couldn't do it
Why can't I do it

When I see it coming I just want to blow my mind
And I see it coming every single time
Nothing I can do about it
I just close my eyes
Wish I could forget about you

Biding my time
Too many ways to say my goodbyes
Drifting on a breeze
Dodging your brown eyes
You want to know what it feels like
Drifting on a breeze
Don't want to lose you
And I'm afraid that I'll never find you again
And I felt I loved you then

But I couldn't do it
I couldn't do it
Why can't I do it

When I see it coming I just want to blow my mind
And I see it coming every single time
Nothing I can do about it
I just close my eyes
Wish I could forget about you

I couldn't do it

I couldn't do it
Why can't I do it

Overall Meaning

The song "Drifting" by Distant.lo is a poignant reflection on a past relationship and the lingering feelings that remain despite the attempt to move on. The opening lines describe a moment shared with this person, where the singer takes them on a fast ride through the back streets, drifting on a breeze, and riding their ten speeds. The imagery of the night sky and the ease with which the other person moves through the world suggests a sense of freedom and lightness, and creates a romantic mood.

However, this sense of euphoria is short-lived, as when the two stop at an overpass, the singer becomes overwhelmed by a sense of time passing, of the inevitability of change and loss. These thoughts cause the singer to realize their feelings for this person and feel a deep love for them, but they also realize that they are unable to act on these feelings. This inability to express themselves is repeated in the refrain of "I couldn't do it, why can't I do it" which further emphasizes the sense of frustration and helplessness.

The second verse paints a picture of the aftermath of the relationship, with the singer describing themselves as "biding their time" and dodging the other person's gaze. Despite wanting to move on and forget about them, the singer can't help but feel a sense of longing and fear that they will never find someone like them again.

Overall, "Drifting" is a song that captures the bittersweet heartache of a past love and the difficulties of letting go. The repeated refrain of "I couldn't do it" highlights the sense of powerlessness that can come with unrequited love, and the vivid imagery of the night sky and ten speeds creates a dreamy, nostalgic atmosphere.

Line by Line Meaning

Took her on a fast ride
We went on a thrilling adventure together

The back streets and the night sky
We explored dimly lit alleyways while admiring the dark sky

Drifting on a breeze
We moved effortlessly through the air, without any agenda or direction

Riding our ten speeds
We rode our bicycles together

She made it look so easy
She seemed calm and collected despite the chaos of the moment

We stopped at the over pass
We paused and admired the elevated road above us

Where are they coming from why do they go so fast
We wondered where the speeding cars were headed and why they were in such a hurry

And I felt I loved you then
I realized my deep affection for you in that moment

But I couldn't do it
I was unable to express my love

Why can't I do it
I struggled to understand why I couldn't express my love

When I see it coming I just want to blow my mind
I become overwhelmed when I anticipate the possibility of expressing my love