Breathing Slow
Former Vandal Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Where have you been?
Why'd you have to go there all alone?
It tastes like sin
The sheets your body kissed have grown too cold

This all feels wrong
(I never said go, I never said go)
And if I did, I never meant it

Would you let your heart forget it?
(I'll keep my voice low, I'll keep my voice low)
Whisper words that promise better things

And calm your dreams and make you stay with me
So keep your breathing slow
Strangers in lovers clothes
What are you running from?
What are you running from?
What have we become?

Lonely and fragile ghosts
What are you running from?
What are you so afraid of?
What are you so afraid of?
I let you in
You had the chance to break me and you did
The water got too deep and you couldn't swim

Lost at sea awaiting your return
(You couldn't anchor me down, I had to anchor myself)
And if I have to, I'll watch you fall in love with someone new
I only want the best for you
So keep your breathing slow
Strangers in lovers clothes
What are you running from?
What are you running from?
What have we become?
Lonely and fragile ghosts
What are you running from?
What are you so afraid of?
Strangers in lovers clothes
What are you running from?
What are you running from?
What have we become?
Lonely and fragile ghosts
What are you running from?
What are you so afraid of?
What are you so afraid of?
I will always be waiting for you
I will always be waiting for you, love

I will always be waiting for you
I will always be waiting for you, love

Overall Meaning

In the song "Breathing Slow" by Former Vandal, the singer is questioning where their lover has gone and why they had to go there alone. They describe the feeling as tasting like sin and the sheets that their lover kissed have grown too cold. The singer is trying to reconcile their feelings and emotions about the relationship and is questioning what they have become. They use the metaphor of strangers in lovers clothes, portraying the disconnect they are feeling with their partner.

The singer repeats the phrase "What are you running from?" throughout the song, calling out their partner's fear of commitment and perhaps their fear of being vulnerable in the relationship. The singer also acknowledges that their partner had the chance to break them and did so when "the water got too deep" for them. The singer expresses that they still care for their partner and want the best for them, but they realize that they need to let go and move on.

The chorus of the song emphasizes the importance of slowing down and taking deep breaths to calm down one's emotions. The singer encourages their partner to do so and perhaps is also trying to do so themselves.

Line by Line Meaning

Where have you been?
Asking where the person has been and why they had to go there alone

Why'd you have to go there all alone?
Questioning the person's decision to go somewhere alone

It tastes like sin
Describing a negative feeling associated with something

The sheets your body kissed have grown too cold
Referring to the absence of the person who used to warm the bed

This all feels wrong
Expressing a feeling of discomfort or unease

(I never said go, I never said go)
Denying responsibility for the person's decision to leave

And if I did, I never meant it
Clarifying that even if they did say something, it was not intended to hurt the person

Would you let your heart forget it?
Asking if the person can let go of any negativity associated with the situation

(I'll keep my voice low, I'll keep my voice low)
Promising to remain calm and not cause further trouble

Whisper words that promise better things
Trying to convince the person to stay and believing that things can improve

And calm your dreams and make you stay with me
Expressing a desire to help ease the person's worries and encourage them to stay

So keep your breathing slow
Advising the person to stay calm

Strangers in lovers clothes
Referencing a relationship that may have lost its intimacy

What are you running from?
Asking what is causing the person to want to leave

What have we become?
Questioning what has happened to their relationship

Lonely and fragile ghosts
Describing their relationship as fragile and uncertain

What are you so afraid of?
Questioning the person's fears and insecurities

I let you in
Admitting to allowing the person into their life and heart

You had the chance to break me and you did
Acknowledging that the person hurt them

The water got too deep and you couldn't swim
Comparing their relationship to being in deep water, where the person eventually felt overwhelmed and unable to handle it

Lost at sea awaiting your return
Referencing a longing for the person to come back to them

(You couldn't anchor me down, I had to anchor myself)
Claiming that they were able to overcome their own struggles and did not need the person to anchor them down

And if I have to, I'll watch you fall in love with someone new
Accepting the possibility of the person moving on and finding new love

I only want the best for you
Stating that they truly care for the person and only want them to be happy

I will always be waiting for you
Proclaiming a steadfast devotion to the person

I will always be waiting for you, love
Using a term of endearment to further express their love and commitment

Contributed by Keira R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

TRACKS