Set Up
Dysphoria Lyrics


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I have climbed so high believing all I can see
Are the clouds that lie beneath me
I lost touch with the world down below
Till the ledge I walk came crumbling down
Nothing is wrong till I see
This shattered side belongs to me
An ego can hide so much
I'm set to fall
To fall
Nothing without a reason
All my life I tried to climb to the top
Left alone without something to believe in
I tried so hard
My life is dead
For I can't care
I climbed so far
To defend my lies
To see myself
Through my eyes




What I've got
Nothing

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Dysphoria's song "Set Up" depict a person who has reached the pinnacle of success, but is now realizing the emptiness of their accomplishment. The first line, "I have climbed so high believing all I can see," refers to the person's ascent to the top, where they are now above the clouds and can know no greater heights. However, the person has lost touch with the reality of the world below and is now walking on a ledge that is crumbling beneath their feet.


As the person realizes that they are about to fall, they see themselves in a shattered side that belongs to them. This shattered side could refer to the flaws and insecurities that the person has been hiding behind their ego, which has now begun to crumble with their fall. The lyrics "An ego can hide so much" reveal that the person's ego had prevented them from seeing the truth and reality of their situation.


The final lines, "What I've got, nothing" signify the person's realization that all their accomplishments, the things they have gained and sacrificed for, are now worthless. The success they have achieved is now meaningless, and they are left empty and alone without something to believe in. The lyrics of "Set Up" highlight the struggle and emptiness that come with the pursuit of material success, a reminder to prioritize relationships and authenticity over money and power.


Line by Line Meaning

I have climbed so high believing all I can see
Despite my ascent to great heights, my perspective is limited to what is immediately visible.


Are the clouds that lie beneath me
Below me is nothingness, empty and void of meaning.


I lost touch with the world down below
As I gained altitude, I became increasingly disconnected from the reality down below.


Till the ledge I walk came crumbling down
I remained unaware of my vulnerability despite the warning signs.


Nothing is wrong till I see
I was oblivious to my shortcomings until they became impossible to ignore.


This shattered side belongs to me
The fragment of myself that is broken and incomplete is an undeniable part of who I am.


An ego can hide so much
My inflated sense of self can obscure the parts of me that are flawed and vulnerable.


I'm set to fall
I am inevitably destined for failure and disappointment.


To fall
The only direction left for me is down.


Nothing without a reason
Everything I do has a purpose, even if it is not immediately apparent.


All my life I tried to climb to the top
My entire existence has been defined by a relentless pursuit of success and self-advancement.


Left alone without something to believe in
When I am stripped of my aspirations and goals, I am left empty and alone.


I tried so hard
I've put forth an enormous amount of effort, but it hasn't been enough.


My life is dead
My existence is devoid of vitality and meaning.


For I can't care
I am emotionally incapable of investing myself in anything, due to an overwhelming sense of apathy.


I climbed so far
I achieved great heights in my pursuit of success, but it was not enough to fulfill me.


To defend my lies
I am willing to go to great lengths to protect the falsehoods upon which I have built my self-image.


To see myself
I am so desperate for validation that I am willing to deceive myself into thinking I am something I am not.


Through my eyes
My perception of myself and the world around me is flawed and distorted by my own insecurities and biases.


What I've got
In the end, despite all my striving, I have nothing to show for it.




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