flatsound is the solo recording project of Mitch Welling, a songwriter and … Read Full Bio ↴flatsound is the solo recording project of Mitch Welling, a songwriter and sound artist based in Southern California. flatsound is characterized by intimate, poignant songwriting, allowing the listener to develop a deeply personal relationship with Welling, while also experimenting with ambient, atmospheric sounds.

by your side
Flatsound Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

See myself in a screen
Wasting days, counting weeks
Getting more familiar with how you speak
While you′re away from me

But I don't want to say goodbye
Because it′s safer when I'm by your side
It's safer when I′m by your side

I want to be near you
Like I′m meant to
I'm meant to

But hey
I think it′s going to be alright
When we're sleeping and I′m by your side
I want to learn to fly
But it's safer when I stay inside
It′s safer when I stay inside

I want you
But the monster

Won't let me
Escape here

Overall Meaning

These lyrics describe the feeling of being in a long-distance relationship where the only way to communicate with the significant other is through screens. The singer spends their days and weeks wasting time, trying to get familiar with their partner's language even though they are not physically near each other. The singer is torn between wanting to stay with their partner and experience the comfort of being by their side, but at the same time, they want to learn and explore new things. The lyrics also suggest that the singer is plagued by their inner demons that prevent them from being with their partner physically.

The singer expresses their desire to be close to their partner, and it's evident that they feel like they're meant to spend their lives with them. However, they're haunted by a monster that holds them back from pursuing what they want. The singer concludes the song with an optimistic view of the future, hoping that everything will be alright, and they will be able to fly away from their problems. However, they still feel that it's safer to stay inside and not take any risks.

Line by Line Meaning

See myself in a screen
I spend too much time online, isolating myself from the world.

Wasting days, counting weeks
My life feels like it's passing me by, and I'm not doing anything to change it.

Getting more familiar with how you speak
I miss you so much that I've memorized every word you've ever said to me.

While you're away from me
You're not here with me right now, and it feels unbearable.

But I don't want to say goodbye
I'm scared to be alone again, and I don't want this moment to end.

Because it's safer when I'm by your side
Being with you makes me feel safe and protected from the world.

It's safer when I'm by your side
I feel like I can face anything as long as I have you by my side.

I want to be near you
Nothing else matters to me right now except being with you.

Like I'm meant to
It feels like we were always meant to be together, like it was destiny.

But hey
Despite my fears and doubts, I'm trying to stay optimistic.

I think it's going to be alright
I'm hoping that everything will work out in the end, even if I don't know how yet.

When we're sleeping and I'm by your side
The only time I feel truly at peace is when I'm with you, even if we're just sleeping.

I want to learn to fly
I want to grow and become a better person, but I'm scared of taking risks.

But it's safer when I stay inside
It's easier to stay in my comfort zone than to take a chance and potentially fail.

It's safer when I stay inside
Staying in familiar territory shields me from feeling vulnerable or afraid.

I want you
I want to be with you, so badly that it hurts.

But the monster
The depression and anxiety I struggle with every day feels like a monster that I can't escape.

Won't let me
Sometimes it feels impossible for me to break free from my negative thoughts and feelings.

Escape here
I want to be able to move past my fears and live a fulfilling life, but it's hard when I feel trapped in my own mind.

Writer(s): Mitch Welling

Contributed by Harper J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

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Comments from YouTube:

@user-jt3vq9md5o

6y↑394

Thank you for existing.

@the3ambreeze

4y↑14

You too

@vyperya

2y↑3

@@the3ambreeze You too

@jeffmartin867

You too.@@vyperya

@cicadaseason6890

6y↑855

your music is so beautiful and moving. No other artist gives me the vibes you can create.

@defnixx73

6y↑7

You should try Starry Cat or Acid Ghost

@cicadaseason6890

6y↑3

Nicolas Astaroth I’m familiar with both of them actually! I really enjoy their music

@Elian148

6y↑15

They're really good, that's true, but flatsound has a very unique sound and style.

@kartoffelsaek

6y↑1

casiotone for the painfully alone mastered this genre many years ago. The album etiquette is a must listen if you're into this.

@madimariemusicc

same ;-; vibes

4 More Replies...

@eduardo_gallardo009

6y↑352

I'm glad you are evolving, the instrumental complexity of your music is much better, but it's not just that ... the rhythm ... melody ... the lyrics have always been the best and they're still, I love this music.

@flatsound

6y↑80

Eduardo Gallardo this is a really dope thing of you to say about my music. thank you so much man ~

@hollowheaded

6y↑431

i’m floating

@cicadaseason6890

6y↑1

daisiesforeyes boi you’re everywhere

@brooklyngreen4075

6y↑2

daisiesforeyes litterly just read ur comment on my last name isn’t icecream

@djspeacialk9166

hello friend!! You should listen to some music I put out! Search “sleeping whale” on any music app you use!!

@Dio-xc7uy

5y↑1

WOAH BRO ITS YOU

@hereyago9460

Me Tooo 🎈

@natachasmith2539

6y↑285

Its one of those things were you don't know how to respond, just with a proud feeling and a deep love and respect for you and what you just created

@Deadcops

1y↑48

This song got me through the worst time of my life. Thank you.

@georgesabb1890

1y↑5

i feel the same thing, always wondering my personality if it was seen in good faith and credibility by others around me, always wondering how to fix this itself by destroying and start it again. so deep

@areomorales6511

5y↑199

You know that feeling when you've taken pain medication and when it finally kicks in, you get the warm feeling that spreads around your body that you only feel when you're at such peace? And your mind is calm and nothing can hurt you? when you feel like you're floating? That feeling is this song.
It's dancing with the person you love with nothing but the light from the moon and the stars pouring in from an open window on a warm spring night, the softness of their skin and the safe feeling of intimacy holding you together; your heartbeats might as well be in sync.
It's seeing the first rays of sunlight when you've stayed up all night and only in that moment, you feel like you can finally sleep.
It's the feeling after you've cried for hours and when the last tear falls, you're no longer sad or angry. You feel a tired peace, and the tears on your hands and cheeks turn cold while your mind rests and you know you'll be able to sleep tonight.
It's walking out into the sun and feeling the warmth hit your skin, swirling around you and coating every inch of your body in safety that you can only get from being outside.
It's those few minutes as you drift off to sleep, nothing to bother or frighten you as you lull off and let everything melt away.
this song is peace.

@Don-vg3lu

5y↑5

Areo Morales i love this

@thetoot9615

3y↑4

The most beautiful thing I've read all week, thank you ❤

@joaquinelorrieta4203

This hits hard because I’m currently 5 days clean of 2 years daily habit of oxycodone, and my gf never left my side in all that time, but the last months I was abusing it heavily and I think she just had it enough, she still hasn’t leave me and has been by my side this shitty week but I’m afraid to lose her

@areomorales6511

@@joaquinelorrieta4203 I suggest taking time out to sit down with her in person and talking about it, see how she feels and how you can come together about what’s happened and how to help each other through this, I’m sorry you have to go through this :(

@AWoLPYKS

Where do you get your painkillers? Painkillers for me just take the edge off and make my pain bearable.

2 More Replies...

@k1lljoy07

2y↑99

i will never forgive flatsound for making this

@hxbib2866

41w

Why

@GuterSchenkel23

24w↑1

@@hxbib2866bc there will be no better music in this universe from now on

@user-uk3vh8rj6f

18w

Hey umm sorry but do you know what's the type of this pls?

@IzzysChaos

13w

@@user-uk3vh8rj6fthis is flatsound there is no other

@HannahWho

5y↑68

This song reminds me of my childhood. I don't know why. It's like an auditory trigger for a random memory. I hear it and suddenly im 4 years old in front of a VHS rental store with my mom.

@fadeintoyou5341

6y↑27

Some days ago, I laid in bed at 6am, listening to your music as my cat slept peacefully beside me, on my duvet. It was a wonderful feel of complete peace, and I will make sure to play you a lot this summer so that I can bond my memories of summer with your music. Thank you for this.

@basedvoid

2y↑1

I will have it one day

@whatever7199

3y↑5

“ I want you but the monster won’t let me escape here “ Wow

@cobiphobic

6y↑209

everything you do is so pretty

@Yoshi-fz1bn

6y↑29

What a time to be alive.

@xJSnowSniper

6y↑66

Aaaaaa felt so good seeing this notification on my screen

@magetears

6y↑73

enchanting

@briannababb

3y↑19

this song used to bring me feelings of peace, comfort, and joy when i listened to it. but now it just makes me panic and cry every time i listen to it.

@PsilocybeFaerie

6y↑46

I lose myself in your art. This is an incredible piece Mitch.

@mikey-uj9px

6y↑21

I LEGIT SCREAMED

@hollowheaded

6y↑1

peachypigeon 🤠

@mikey-uj9px

6y↑1

bro i didnt know you listened to fLatsound, tbh you should do a cover- if you wanted to

@cicadaseason6890

oh my gosh you listen to flatsound too I’m so happy

@FatmaYousuf

6y↑73

i could listen to the instrumental version forever

@princesspeachypawz

5y↑5

That light being turned on gives me American Football album cover vibes

@donotaddmeplease

6y↑8

*rushes to piano*. I can play this whole song... YES! Only 2 haunting chords. Beauty.

@callumwright6687

6y↑7

I feel like, maybe this is the truest Mitch we've seen through his music. The clearest picture of what's inside his head. I guess it shows that he is making progress

@candyrox1187

6y↑30

you deserve so much more recognition

@user-zt3rt8zo2g

6y↑40

missed you 💓

@daiana.4d65

2y↑12

Its quite interesting to me that even after only knowing her for 3 years. She made a life's worth of happiness in such a short amount of time. I know that, that's the happiest I'll ever be but it didn't even last long. But what I can say is I'm thankful for even the smallest amount of time given to me to experience such ethereal emotions.

@iameternalsunshine

1y↑3

wow, i feel the same way, she came into my life for a year and left. i’ll always cherish those memories, she made it all so magical. she makes life worth living, even if she isn’t mine anymore.

@zoeyisnotokay7232

6y↑7

No one told me that having no emotions makes me feel the utter most.

@stephanie-vh6cy

6y↑42

ur truly gifted. I love you so much

@brrneko8667

5y↑24

I discovered flatsound a year ago and from then he s my favorite singer / artist / song writter he s really talented and he s lyrics are so relatable he knows how to create a special vibe and how to make us feel less lonely and he will never fail to impress me i dont really get why he so underrated tho ❤❤

@ie3075

6y↑5

I listened to this song earlier and of course I liked it, didn't understand the lyrics as well as I thought I did then from now. Just read your blog post on it and what it's about and as I started reading the lyrics again I started crying and now my eyes are burning.

@PotassiumPoisoning

3y↑3

I know it’s not what you meant writing this, but my dad was the only man who understood me... and I’ve listened to this at least 100 times this week, he died over 2 weeks ago.... and I was safer when I was by his side.

@LenaVanille

6y↑100

I love it. <3

@ericlopez7472

6y↑8

Very touching song about your problems. I think when you make songs like this you could really inspire others and help them feel as though they're not alone. It may feel like wasted days, but your art helps a lot of people. If life is a whole jar of nothing, in essence, you make that jar better, which could just be the best anyone could do.

@healedatonce

6y↑21

I'm gonna cry wth

@jenniferbrat

6y↑1

this is what a breath of fresh air feels like

@zoe-ie3ml

6y↑13

as always you never let me down

@harryvieger2810

1y↑3

Today at 2 am, I tried to sleep but couldn't. I preferred to listen to some music and opened my Spotify. After a few boring songs, Spotify randomly changed to this song. I wonder who made this song that made me stare at the ceiling the whole time it played. And I finally found it on youtube and wrote this comment. I just want to say thank to the singer who created this masterpiece. It perfectly suits my mood right now. I blame myself why I didn't find this song on May 20, 2018 (when this song was released). I was very depressed and sometimes wanted to commit suicide but this song helped me to calm down and think again. Once again, from the bottom of my heart, thank you so much for bringing this masterpiece into my life.

@nocturnal3944

2y↑5

just wanna say how much i appreciate this song, its been really comforting ever since i started losing my want to live

@jfheiowidjh4951

2y↑1

I hope youe okay

@ashlynnefountain9015

5y↑6

Happy anniversary to this video. It was an instant flatsound classic, and the video is beautiful to say the least

@trinidad-6816

6y↑6

I found you a few years ago, and ever since your music has been helping me out through all of the struggles of my daily life. It feels like everytime I'm on a rough patch you appear out of nowhere with new music. Thank you <3

@user-to1oc2gr8h

6y↑11

we love you.

@west_polee

6y↑7

this really reminds me of your older albums, like ICTYHWBD or Scotland I wish you were here.
It's probably the midi thing

@agustinarce2810

6y↑6

Thanks. I needed this. c:

@saule3663

3y↑2

this sounds so comfy

@sonyecollins

5y↑3

this song always makes me think of that one person i want but cant have
:/

@gay.nugget6125

6y↑1

this makes me happy with my sadness

@moemiako6202

6y↑4

I'm so in love with everything you do oml

@chayseblack4162

4y↑2

I’m just so happy to see music is still happening. I remember back in 2012 when I first found you and a bunch of other groups like Teen Suicide and some i have saved to old lists. So this is really nice.

@taylorrosemiller13

6y↑1

Gives even more meaning to what was already beautiful and moving, I can’t wait to see you grow as an artists

@moemiako6202

6y↑5

This is too precious

@deathwave506

6y↑3

i have really bad anxiety issues and this is gonna sound stupid but honestly your music helps me so much. it's calming and beautiful and more than once it's helped me stop panic attacks. thank you.

@iRexRegum1

4y↑4

honestly this is perfection. im not sure what inspired this song but the song itself hits home for me coupled in with the video. thank you! i make music myself so i can tell this came from a genuine place.

@sleepin-bugz6452

6y↑3

hey, thank you so much for still making music. i remember coming across the song 'sleep' on youtube. i remember how i was at rock bottom and everything felt like shit. but your music just has a kind of calm tone to it and i've always came back once in a while just to step back and listen to you. thank you so much for everything x

@alexandrianolan8781

6y↑1

thank you for this

@noornoor-jj1tq

4y↑3

thank you for making this. it’s comforting, i love you.

@riversmapes6736

6y↑2

This is so comforting.

@StoveTopSock

6y↑1

such a good feel. love this

@kaitlyn7520

6y↑2

this is so amazing.

@bloodstaint777

6y↑5

I screeched when I saw ur notification

@livingquynh

6y↑6

this was mesmerizing in every aspect, wow.

@katiemccarthy5010

6y↑2

Thank you for creating your art. This song means more to me than you'll ever know

@jhyunw1591

4y↑2

Your lyrics are just exactly what I feel these days. Thank you for this song.

@lolaruiz9940

6y↑10

beautifully done- literally made me tear up a little. So much talent here

@1Legendofzeldalover

6y↑1

this is so well shot, mitch. thank you for this <3

@shanemontello6596

that's just adorable, thanks

@lilithlikethedemon

Thank you Mitch, I really needed this.

@deersage

6y↑1

i was so happy when i saw this notification. you make me feel not so alone- i don’t know you, but you understand. your existence is truly meaningful.

@lstarrs2010

6y↑4

Beautiful. Thank you for sharing this with all of us <3

@panda839578567659610

6y↑20

im crying. i love this. also i want your outfit. i love this.

@wilkzzzz

6y↑1

i love this, thank u <3

@neo-wr7zo

6y↑3

this is so beautiful

@AlexSmith-nl9sj

6y↑2

Endless love for you and your music. Keep making art.

@emomother9581

6y↑1

i’m so in love with everything about this

@Amandie007

6y↑1

great music as always !! i loved this song & the music video for it, it just fits so well

@mousebank7895

6y↑2

this is so absolutely beautiful Mitch, you never fail to amaze 🖤🖤🖤

@lansestebelton2337

6y↑1

This brings me so much more than joy, you add genuine value and peace to my life. Thank you for that.

@kinkyplunk

6y↑2

Absolutely amazing. You are on top form with this song!

@thecrazypinyata

6y↑1

Theres nothing like you. So grateful for your music and you

@sarahng5191

This is so nice... late night nostalgic vibes. perfect

@ACROST

Your whispering vocals are always touching!!

@smallblueflower

Thank you for this.. thank you.

@ArshavinVanPersie

6y↑1

I'm blessed forever to having found your music. Everytime. Thank you for making this. Thank you for everything.

@Oscarmike247

Love the unique sound. I feel like the song is about solitude and being in sort of a lull/depression, and how the two can run parallel with each other creating a closed loop.

@MortyAMVs

6y↑1

this was sooo meaningful thank you.. i loved it

@maria-ep6fp

so beautiful . came here again to listen and im still crying

@kaibailey5461

this is beautiful.

@inexy3138

6y↑1

Thank you. That was awesome! ;)

@madimariemusicc

4y↑1

this song is so beyond beautiful. so timeless. definitely an all time fav 🖤🖤🖤

@jalynette4076

6y↑11

Love your work, Mitch. Beautiful, as always. <3

@user-cd7rw4gr8k

6y↑3

That Hatchetman Thoughhhhh <3

@jackwaffel7487

6y↑1

\\\/// ikr? Whoop whoop!

@nina-gk7dp

6y↑7

mesmerizing

@muodyn1kt

6y↑3

good to see you again brother, beautiful music as always..

@brianna2155

I was really feeling this one, needed it tonight. Thank you for sharing your art with us

@hyp3rview

6y↑4

this is fantastic. it's been an honor to watch mitch grow through all these years. all my love to this truly amazing person <3

@BadLady666

Your music is so heartwarming. Thank you so much

@happy-il2tm

It's got alot of feeling in the hole sound and the words. U can feel it all ..great stuff

@pukster1016

4y↑1

I really appreciate ur musci rn my foster mom died in my arms yesterday, ur music means alot to me,so glad you made you ur music its helping a lot me, couldnt appreciate more ♥️♥️