Fastbacks were a pioneering Seattle band. Formed in 1979 by songwriter/gui… Read Full Bio ↴Fastbacks were a pioneering Seattle band. Formed in 1979 by songwriter/guitarist Kurt Bloch (born August 28, 1960), and friends Lulu Gargiulo (guitar and vocals, born October 12, 1960) and Kim Warnick (bass and vocals, born April 7, 1959), they disbanded in 2001. Their sound mixed a generally punk approach to vocals and sound textures with poppy tunes and strong musicianship. Bloch is also a member of The Young Fresh Fellows as well as Thee Sgt. Major III. The Fastbacks reunited for a show in West Seattle in the summer of 2011.

Gravity
Fastbacks Lyrics

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Used to seem to me
Time belonged to me
It does
Most of all the time
Everything was mine
It was
Don't explain
Anything to me

I don't need rules
'Cause I've set myself free
From what you talk about
Freedom from the rotten
Words I'm near
And when they tell me
What to do
I don't
And when they tell me
Where to go
I won't
Forget the pressure that
I'm under
I'm writing this number
As I'm falling off the face
Of the earth
And now I really have to
Wonder
If I got the wrong number

As I'm falling off the face
Of the earth

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "Gravity" by Fastbacks depict a sense of independence and rebellion against societal expectations and norms. The singer reflects on how they used to feel that time belonged to them and that everything was under their control. However, they now realize that they don't need anyone to explain things to them or set rules because they have set themselves free from such restrictions.

The song embraces the concept of freedom from the pressures of conformity and conformity itself. The singer rejects the idea of being told what to do or where to go by others. They resist the influence of those trying to impose their words or ideas, describing them as "rotten words I'm near." The lyrics suggest that the singer is facing some kind of pressure or expectation, which they are trying to escape from.

As the song progresses, the singer reveals a sense of desperation. They feel like they are falling off the face of the earth, disconnected and isolated from everything around them. They question whether they made a mistake or took the wrong path, symbolized by the line "If I got the wrong number." The imagery of falling implies a sense of losing control, perhaps in both a literal and metaphorical sense.

Overall, "Gravity" explores themes of independence, rebellion, and the struggle to maintain one's individuality in the face of societal pressures.

Line by Line Meaning

Used to seem to me
In the past, it appeared to me

Time belonged to me
I believed I had control over time

It does
This belief is still true

Most of all the time
Almost all of the time

Everything was mine
I owned and possessed everything

It was
This state of ownership was valid

Don't explain
There's no need to provide reasons

Anything to me
Just keep everything to yourself

I don't need rules
I don't require guidelines or restrictions

'Cause I've set myself free
Because I have liberated myself