Dark Days
Fat Freddy's Drop Lyrics


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Learning to breathe again,
For the first time,
In so long now.
Learning to see again,
Through my pride.

Learning to speak again,
From my heart.
Learning to be a friend,
For the first time,
For the first time,
In so long,
For so long,
For so long,
For so long,
For so long,
For so long,
For so long,
For so long.

Feel like I'm losing time,
When I worry,
'Cause yesterday won't change.
Starting to free my mind,
From the shadow of doubt,
That keeps me in darkness.

Testing the air outside,
My chamber,
Into the danger.
Pushing my limits high,
To the red line and over,
And why have I waited,
So long,
For so long,
For so long,
For so long,
For so long,
For so long,
For so long-
Oh.

Why have I waited?
Why have I waited, yeah.

Well it's hard to be happy,
In a world that's so cruel,
Where the weak just get weaker,
Where the powerful feud.
Where the children go hungry,
While the soldiers stand by, hey,
Lay down your weapons,
Take hold of your lives.
And when will we learn,
That it's hate that breeds hate?
Only love is the cure,
Don't leave it too late.
Get up, and feel it,
The truth that won't wait.




If we choose to do nothing,
Then we take all the blame.

Overall Meaning

In the song Dark Days by Fat Freddy's Drop, the singer describes the process of learning to embrace life again after being in a state of darkness for a long time. They express their desire to breathe, see, speak, and be a friend from their heart for the first time in a long while. The singer feels like they're losing time when they worry about past events that they can't change. They're ready to push their limits and leave doubt behind.


The song's chorus asks why the singer has waited so long to make these changes in their life. In the later verses, the song's message shifts to a larger societal issue. The singer reflects on the cruelty of the world and how the weak become weaker while the powerful fight for their own interests. They highlight how children might go hungry while soldiers stand by. The song urges people to act with love and not hate and emphasizes that we all share responsibility in making the world better.


Line by Line Meaning

Learning to breathe again,
Adjusting to a new way of living after a long time of struggling or being stagnant.


For the first time,
This is the initial opportunity to do so.


In so long now.
This situation had persisted for a significant amount of time.


Learning to see again,
Relearning how to perceive or understand things.


Through my pride.
Despite the difficulties that it may bring due to ego or self-centeredness.


Learning to speak again,
Trying to express oneself vocally once more.


From my heart.
Speaking genuinely and authentically.


Learning to be a friend,
Attempting to develop social connections and better personal relationships.


Feel like I'm losing time,
Feeling as if one's time is running out or being wasted.


When I worry,
During moments of anxiety, stress, or uncertainty.


'Cause yesterday won't change.
Reflecting on past events that are out of one's control and can no longer be altered.


Starting to free my mind,
Working to release oneself from mental burdens that restrict progress or creativity.


From the shadow of doubt,
Overcoming skepticism or uncertainty that undermines one's confidence.


That keeps me in darkness.
Which leads to a lack of clarity, positivity or optimism.


Testing the air outside,
Venturing into novel or unpredictable situations that may harbor risk or uncertainty.


My chamber,
A safe or comfortable environment that one is used to and reluctant to leave.


Into the danger.
Into the realm of what's uncertain, challenging or even potentially dangerous.


Pushing my limits high,
Striving to reach the point of one's full capacity or potential.


To the red line and over,
Beyond what is deemed safe, conservative or practical.


Why have I waited,
Questioning why one has delayed progress or change for so long.


Well it's hard to be happy,
Acknowledging that personal joy is difficult to attain.


In a world that's so cruel,
Within a society and global context with widespread suffering, injustice, and discrimination.


Where the weak just get weaker,
Where those without power or privilege face greater challenges or oppression.


Where the powerful feud.
Where conflict and animosity between those with authority, influence or resources can escalate and harm society.


Where the children go hungry,
Where a vulnerable and innocent population is disadvantaged and suffers from malnutrition.


While the soldiers stand by, hey,
While those trained and equipped to protect society are passive and inactive.


Lay down your weapons,
Urging those in positions of authority to abandon violent or harmful tactics and approaches.


Take hold of your lives.
Encouraging people to take control of their actions, decisions, and futures.


And when will we learn,
Questioning why society has not yet progressed beyond these persistent issues.


That it's hate that breeds hate?
Acknowledging that extremist attitudes and actions will only serve to perpetuate division and conflict.


Only love is the cure,
Asserting that compassion and understanding are the key to solving societal problems and conflicts.


Don't leave it too late.
Warning that inaction or delay in solving social issues can lead to grave consequences.


Get up, and feel it,
Encouraging listeners to take action and awareness of their surroundings and social issues.


The truth that won't wait.
Highlighting the need for urgency and immediate attention to societal issues.


If we choose to do nothing,
Encouraging individuals to take personal responsibility for making social change instead of relying on established institutions.


Then we take all the blame.
Reminding us that individual complacency is a contributing factor to a societal problem.




Contributed by Kylie S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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