Over ambient synths and intimate strings, the production on “Long Sleeves” takes influence from contemporary folk acts. Blake Slatkin, longtime collaborator and friend of Gracie’s, worked with violinist Rob Moose to create sounds similar to Rob Moose’s work with artists Bon Iver, Sufjan Stevens, and Phoebe Bridgers.
With the release of the track, Gracie took to Instagram to announce the release of her debut project "minor":
"the project is called “minor” and it’s coming out June 16th ♥️ i hope you’re all safe and healthy"
However, the album was later delayed for release on July 14th, 2020.
long sleeves
Gracie Abrams Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You were the catalyst
I don't know what it is
About how you breathe
About how you breathe
I wanna be alone
Hate it that no one knows
You're good to everyone
All them but me
All them but me
And if you hear me leavin' in the mornin'
Could you just pretend that it was only wind?
'Cause I can't love you even if I want to
Got a lot to work through, you don't know where I've been
It's been a long time comin'
It's been a long time comin'
It's been a long time comin'
It's been a long time comin'
Say something sweet to me
It never meant a thing
Used to the turbulence
I wore long sleeves
I wore long sleeves
Fought 'til you tethered me
Swept under surfaces
Never enough of it
You didn't think
You didn't think
If you hear me leaving'in the mornin'
Could you please pretend that it was only wind?
'Cause I can't love you even if I want to
Got a lot to work through, you don't know where I've been
It's been a long time comin'
It's been a long time comin'
It's been a long time comin'
It's been a long time comin'
It's been a long time comin'
Comin' down, I'm comin' down, I'm comin' down
I'm comin' down, I'm comin' down, I'm comin' down
I'm comin' down, I'm comin' down, I'm comin' down
I'm comin' down, I'm comin' down, I'm comin' down
Comin' down, I'm comin' down, I'm comin' down
I'm comin' down, I'm comin' down, I'm comin' down
I'm comin' down, I'm comin' down, I'm comin' down
I'm comin' down, I'm comin' down, I'm comin'
Comin' down, I'm comin' down, I'm comin' down
I'm comin' down, I'm comin' down, I'm comin' down
I'm comin' down, I'm comin' down, I'm comin' down
I'm comin' down, I'm comin' down
The lyrics of "Long Sleeves" by Gracie Abrams delve into the complicated emotions that come with a failing relationship. The singer is packing while their partner is asleep, suggesting that they are leaving the relationship without their knowledge. The partner, referred to as the catalyst, has unknowingly caused a shift in the dynamic between them. The singer is struggling to understand why they can't love the partner, even though they want to.
The line "I want to be alone" suggests that the singer needs space and distance from the relationship. They are frustrated that no one else seems to see the problems in the relationship, leaving them feeling isolated. The repeated line "It's been a long time coming" reinforces that the singer has been contemplating leaving for a while, but only now feels ready to do so.
The second verse reveals that the relationship has been turbulent, causing the singer to wear long sleeves, potentially to hide physical evidence of the struggles they've faced. The partner tethered them, referring to the emotional hold they have on the singer. The partner has been unable to provide enough emotional support, leaving the singer feeling worn down.
Overall, the lyrics convey the pain and confusion that comes with leaving a relationship, even when there are still feelings of love. The repetitive chorus of "It's been a long time coming" suggests that the singer has been struggling with this decision for a while, but is finally able to follow through.
Line by Line Meaning
Packing while you're asleep
I am leaving quietly while you are asleep and unaware.
You were the catalyst
You were the one who initiated change in me.
I don't know what it is about how you breathe
I can't explain why your breathing affects me so much.
About how you breathe
Your breathing is something that I can't get out of my mind.
I want to be alone
I need space and time for myself.
Hate it that no one knows, you're good to everyone
I hate the fact that everyone thinks you're amazing, except for me.
All them but me
Everyone else sees your goodness except for me.
And if you hear me leaving in the morning
If you wake up to find me gone in the morning,
Could you just pretend that it was only wind?
Can you just act like you didn't notice that I left?
'Cause I can't love you even if I want to
I am unable to love you even if I wish I could.
Got a lot to work through
I have many issues within me that I need to address before I can love you.
You don't know where I've been
You don't know the struggles and experiences I've gone through.
It's been a long time coming
I've been dealing with this for a long time.
Say something sweet to me
Speak kind words to me.
It never meant a thing
Your sweet words never touched me emotionally.
Used to the turbulence
I have grown accustomed to emotional chaos.
I wore long sleeves
I used to hide my struggles and scars by wearing long sleeves.
Fought 'til you tethered me
I fought against my feelings until you restrained me and made me face them.
Swept under surfaces
My feelings were buried deep within me.
Never enough of it
I was never able to fully express my love for you.
You didn't think
You didn't realize the depth of my feelings for you.
Coming down, I'm coming down, I'm coming down
I am feeling emotionally and mentally exhausted.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Blake Slatkin, Gracie Madigan Abrams
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@kiranparida3279
"Long Sleeves"
Packing while you're asleep
You were the catalyst
I don't know what it is about how you breathe
About how you breathe
I want to be alone
Hate it that no one knows, you're good to everyone
All them but me
All them but me
And if you hear me leaving in the morning
Could you just pretend that it was only wind?
'Cause I can't love you even if I want to
Got a lot to work through
You don't know where I've been
It's been a long time coming
It's been a long time coming
It's been a long time coming
It's been a long time coming
Say something sweet to me
It never meant a thing
Used to the turbulence
I wore long sleeves
I wore long sleeves
Fought till you tethered me
Swept under surfaces
Never enough of it
You didn't think
You didn't think
If you hear me leaving in the morning
Could you please pretend that it was only wind?
'Cause I can't love you even if I want to
Got a lot to work through
You don't know where I've been
It's been a long time coming
It's been a long time coming
It's been a long time coming
It's been a long time coming
It's been a long time coming
Coming down, I'm coming down, I'm coming down
I'm coming down, I'm coming down, I'm coming down
I'm coming down, I'm coming down, I'm coming down
I'm coming down, I'm coming down, I'm coming down
Coming down, I'm coming down, I'm coming down
I'm coming down, I'm coming down, I'm coming down
I'm coming down, I'm coming down, I'm coming down
I'm coming down, I'm coming down, I'm coming
Coming down, I'm coming down, I'm coming down
I'm coming down, I'm coming down, I'm coming down
I'm coming down, I'm coming down, I'm coming down
I'm coming down, I'm coming down
@melissaperez4923
”you’re good to everyone. all of them but me...”
@poppyfeyronika419
What it is mean actually? If you don't mind to explain it to me. Thanks in advance.
@jaffacakes6849
Poppy Feyronika I think it’s about an abusive relationship. How in public the partner is always nice to everyone but behind closed doors is abusive to her. But that’s just how I interpreted it I could be wrong
@younie229
this got me in tears
@poppyfeyronika419
@@jaffacakes6849 kind of toxic relationship?
@Edits-ok3oc
Poppy Feyronika kinda what she means by “I couldn’t love u even if I wanted too” then “I wear long sleeves” hiding the scars from the abuse
@Tea-zt5jp
she’s finally getting the recognition she deserves and I only hope it grows
@Trevyyyyy
Same she’s so talented she deserves the world 🥺💕
@kayobrien6015
💗💗💗💗
@fatimazakia
shes not our little secret anymore wow