Keeping Up
Douglas Lyrics


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I'm breathing, it's harder now, with all the cigarettes I smoke.
I'm drinking, not thinking straight.
But then I'm sleeping all the time,
I can't relive the past, no matter how it used to be.
To speak and dance again with you, to speak and to dream, like we used to.
Life is fast, I have it all inside my hands,
Life is fast, if I can stand to stand it.
We're speaking this, that and then
And everything that's going about,
Quit lagging, try keeping up.
I could lie here all day, not move an inch for anyone, butterfly, better life, maybe not at all.
Burn me biug yellow queen, I'm high looking down on me.
I'm alone just like I ought to be.




I forget all the things I say, just waste away, but I'm o.k.
Build a city in this little old head of ine, and slip away for a short time.

Overall Meaning

In Douglas's song Keeping Up, he talks about his struggles with addiction and the effect it has on his life. He mentions how smoking cigarettes and drinking have made it harder for him to breathe and think straight. Despite his desire to relive the past and speak and dance with someone like he used to, he acknowledges that some things can't be changed no matter how much he wishes for it.


The chorus of the song emphasizes the fast-paced nature of life and how he feels like he has control over everything that's happening around him. He urges himself and others to keep up with the hustle and bustle of everyday life and not lag behind.


As the song progresses, Douglas talks about feeling alone and forgetful, but still being okay with everything that's happening. He mentions building a city in his head and slipping away for a short time, which could be interpreted as him seeking refuge in his thoughts or imagination to escape the hardships he's facing.


Overall, Keeping Up is a reflective and introspective song that delves into the struggles of addiction and the struggle to keep up with the fast pace of life.


Line by Line Meaning

I'm breathing, it's harder now, with all the cigarettes I smoke.
Smoking has caused difficulty in breathing.


I'm drinking, not thinking straight.
Drinking is impairing the ability to think clearly.


But then I'm sleeping all the time,
Excessive alcohol and cigarette intake is causing lethargy and constant sleepiness.


I can't relive the past, no matter how it used to be.
The past cannot be changed or revisited, no matter how fondly one remembers it.


To speak and dance again with you, to speak and to dream, like we used to.
The desire to relive past memories and experiences with a loved one.


Life is fast, I have it all inside my hands,
Life is quick and fleeting, and the singer has control over their own life.


Life is fast, if I can stand to stand it.
Life moves quickly, but the singer may find it difficult to keep up.


We're speaking this, that and then
Conversing about various topics.


And everything that's going about,
Aware of ongoing events and situations.


Quit lagging, try keeping up.
Encouraging someone to keep pace with the artist's thought process or activities.


I could lie here all day, not move an inch for anyone, butterfly, better life, maybe not at all.
The singer is content to avoid productivity and live a simple, carefree life.


Burn me biug yellow queen, I'm high looking down on me.
Using drugs to escape reality and find a sense of euphoria.


I'm alone just like I ought to be.
The singer prefers to be alone and values independence.


I forget all the things I say, just waste away, but I'm o.k.
The singer may struggle with memory loss, but they are content with their current state of relaxation and inactivity.


Build a city in this little old head of mine, and slip away for a short time.
Mentally escaping to a personal realm of thoughts and imagination for temporary relief.




Contributed by Camilla C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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