After working on "Give Me Rest" for Hands, I realized I wasn't ready to throw in the towel yet. Spending most of the writing and recording process alone was the most therapeutic way of working through my issues with my faith. And I realized that as human beings, I think it's our job to be our brothers' keepers, because even with the tiniest effort, you can drastically change the course of another person's life.
The song "Red" is the most powerful song I think I have ever written. It was written to try to encourage people to be better. The fact that people can be abused, abandoned, and robbed of ever having unconditional love in their life and still grow up to be some of the most loving and kind hearted people blows me away. Everyone out there has a story or a road that was traveled to put them exactly where they are today. We live in a broken world, with broken people. But each of us has the power to restore hope within someone else.
Apollo
Everything In Slow Motion Lyrics
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The truth is what you say you want, but the truth you won't believe.
Distance is what keeps us right because affection kills our pride.
The devil shows his patience so we close our eyes.
I'm tired of apologizing to people that just don't care.
I'm tired of apologizing to ghosts that were never there.
Is this what you wanted from me?
Losing myself inside your shadow. Sending a signal but no one's there.
In the first paragraph, the lyrics convey a sense of vulnerability and openness in a relationship. The singer is urging their partner to share all their emotions and burdens, emphasizing their willingness to bear the weight of it all. However, there is a conflict between the desire for truth and the partner's inability to accept it. Despite claiming they want the truth, they struggle to believe it. This suggests a lack of trust or a fear of facing reality.
The second paragraph introduces the theme of distance as a means of maintaining the relationship. The singer suggests that physical or emotional distance is necessary to preserve their pride and prevent affection from causing harm. They highlight the insidious nature of temptation or negative influences ("the devil shows his patience"), which they choose to ignore by closing their eyes. This hints at a willful blindness, perhaps due to the fear of confronting challenges or acknowledging problems within the relationship.
Moving into the third paragraph, the lyrics express frustration and exhaustion. The singer is tired of apologizing to people who are indifferent or apathetic towards their efforts. This could refer to individuals who are unwilling to provide support or understanding in their relationship troubles. Additionally, the mention of apologizing to ghosts that were never there suggests the singer's weariness in trying to make amends for nonexistent past mistakes or seeking redemption from people who have no real presence in their lives.
The fourth and final paragraph portrays a sense of desperation and disappointment. The singer feels like they are losing themselves within the shadow of their partner, suggesting that their individual identity is being overshadowed or compromised in the relationship. They attempt to reach out for help or connection ("sending a signal"), but it goes unanswered. The lyrics imply that the worst possible outcome is what the singer sees or experiences, which could indicate that their efforts to salvage the relationship have not yielded positive results. The question, "Is this what you wanted from me?" conveys a sense of resignation and uncertainty about meeting their partner's expectations, reflecting a deep longing for validation and understanding.
Line by Line Meaning
Tell me all your feelings love. Put everything on me.
Share your emotions and thoughts with me, trust me with your deepest secrets and burdens.
The truth is what you say you want, but the truth you won't believe.
Although you claim to desire honesty, you struggle to accept and acknowledge the truth when it is presented to you.
Distance is what keeps us right because affection kills our pride.
Maintaining some level of space between us is necessary for our relationship to function, as too much closeness and intimacy threatens our individual pride and sense of self.
The devil shows his patience so we close our eyes.
We tend to overlook or ignore the negative influences and temptations in our lives, allowing them to persist through our own willingness to turn a blind eye.
I'm tired of apologizing to people that just don't care.
I have grown weary of constantly saying sorry and seeking forgiveness from individuals who simply do not value or reciprocate my efforts.
I'm tired of apologizing to ghosts that were never there.
I have become exhausted from apologizing to imaginary beings or nonexistent entities that have no tangible presence or influence in my life.
Is this what you wanted from me?
Am I fulfilling your expectations and desires with my actions and behavior?
Losing myself inside your shadow. Sending a signal but no one's there.
I am gradually losing my own identity and sense of self-worth as I remain in your shadow, seeking connection and validation, yet receiving no response or acknowledgment in return.
The worst is what you see. Is this what you wanted from me?
You only perceive the negative aspects of my being, and I question whether this is the outcome you anticipated or desired from our relationship.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Shane Ochsner
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind