The end of 2008 saw Grieves enlisting the help of friend and collaborator Budo to co-produce Together/Apart bringing his signature swiss-army knife, multi-instrumental backdrop to Grieves' hauntingly poignant narrative. The album began taking shape in New York as the two built off the success 88 Keys and Counting had generated and paired it with the intensity they developed from their live performances. The recording process began to shadow the theme of the album as it saw tracks recorded in Colorado and Washington in addition to New York, infusing it with a mixture of regional influences while still maintaining a cohesive sound. As the album neared completion the title took on a double meaning for Grieves as he explored new subject matter in the absence of trust, refuge in addiction, acceptance and honesty in self-reflection, and trying to find his place in the world without forgetting his roots.
Catapults
Grieves Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Both palms to the future, no slack in the line,
But no qualms with it.
I don't flip a coin like the rest of them,
Or fall in the line and live life by the pendulum.
Never would I sell my soul, find the beauty
In the little things you can't control and break the mold from it
Look, you can see tomorrow in my eyes
When the clouds clear
"Heaven"'s just a six-letter word, like "crutch"
Hanging on the syllables and verbs of trust
And this is why I walk where the road ends
And live in between that little space where the notes bend, like
This is all that ever made sense
My hopes, my flesh, my bones, my breath exposed
Holding onto truth like it's slipping
And your cliff's edge is cuttin' the rope
I think it's time to let go
Look at what you started
Got the whole world holding their heads in their hands
Trying to hold to reason
Trying to figure out the pieces, find another meaning to believe in
Look at what you started
Got the whole world shaking they fist at the sky
Trying to find a reason
Trying to blame it on their mama
Like it's coming through to take away their Jesus
I see the glow in the window from the street
And I see truth through the passion I release
And absorb it, all of this is torn apart the seams
And explain to me that I don't need a hand to hold a dream
Said, I don't need to stand in front of God to intervene
With a devil that's inside trying to take away my dreams I created
Play my little life on the strings
Carve a sentence out of silence, and wear it like a ring to remember
"Hell" is just a four-letter word, like "fear"
Tracing the reflection in your tears
I've been choking on my everything for years
Trying to force a meaning into anything that ever smudged the mirror, like
I learned that this is not about control
No wins, no loss, no points, no goals, just go
Holding onto truth like it's slipping
And your cliff's edge is cuttin' the rope
I think it's time to let go
Look at what you started
Got the whole world holding their heads in their hands
Trying to hold to reason
Trying to figure out the pieces, find another meaning to believe in
Look at what you started
Got the whole world shaking they fist at the sky
Trying to find a reason
Trying to blame it on their mama
Like it's coming through to take away their Jesus
The lyrics of Grieves's song 'Catapults' offer a complex and introspective reflection on the human experience of grasping for control and meaning in life. The opening lines set the tone for the rest of the song with the metaphorical image of being the last lit candle in the back of the mind, suggesting a feeling of isolation or a sense of fading hope. However, the artist reassures us that he is still holding on tight to his future with no qualms about it.
As the song develops, Grieves delves deeper into the complexities of human nature, questioning the validity of things like selling one's soul for success or blindly following the live-by-the-pendulum approach embraced by others. Instead, he emphasizes the importance of finding beauty in the little things that can't be controlled and breaking free from the mould society puts us in.
The chorus of the song encourages us to reflect on the impact of our actions and beliefs on the world and those around us. The artist suggests that we have the power to start or instigate significant changes in our lives and the world, but we must be prepared to deal with the consequences of those actions.
Overall, the song is a beautifully crafted interrogation of the human experience, offering a personal reflection on life, mortality, and the pursuit of happiness, all wrapped up in an emotionally and musically engaging package.
Line by Line Meaning
I feel like the last lit candle in the back of my mind
Feeling lonely and alone, like the only source of light in a dark room
Both palms to the future, no slack in the line
Fully committed to the future with no hesitation or doubt
But no qualms with it.
No complaints or regrets about the path being taken
I don't flip a coin like the rest of them
Not making decisions based on chance or randomness like others do
Or fall in the line and live life by the pendulum.
Not living life like it's a repetitive cycle or a predetermined pattern
Never would I sell my soul, find the beauty
Value and appreciate the things in life that can't be bought or sold, like integrity
In the little things you cant control and break the mold from it
Finding the beauty in the unpredictability of life and actively avoiding conformity
Look, you can see tomorrow in my eyes
Exhibiting a sense of optimism and confidence for the future
And expect nothing less thean a lesson in disguise
Acknowledging that everything, good or bad, can be a learning experience in life
When the clouds clear
After a difficult or challenging situation has passed
"Heaven's" just a six-letter word, like "crutch"
Questioning the true meaning and value of religion and belief systems
Hanging on the syllables and verbs of trust
Blindly relying on faith and trust without questioning or contemplating further
And this is why I walk where the road ends
Seeking adventure and exploration beyond the norm and the mundane
And live in between that little space where the notes bend, like
Existing in the gray area and taking advantage of the ambiguity and flexibility in life
This is all that ever made sense
Embracing the unconventional and non-traditional aspects of life as a source of fulfillment
My hopes, my flesh, my bones, my breath exposed
Being completely vulnerable and authentic in pursuit of personal goals
Holding onto truth like it's slipping
Clutching onto the things in life that are meaningful and valuable, despite their impermanence
And your cliff's edge is cuttin' the rope
Being unsafe and reckless could ruin everything that has been worked so hard for
I think it's time to let go
It's time to reassess the current situation and make a change if necessary
Look at what you started
The current state of the world and the issues that come with it
Got the whole world holding their heads in their hands
The world is struggling and experiencing difficulties and hardships
Trying to hold to reason
Attempting to make sense of the events that are unfolding
Trying to figure out the pieces, find another meaning to believe in
Looking for alternative explanations and beliefs to hold onto
Got the whole world shaking their fist at the sky
Feeling a sense of frustration, anger, and helplessness towards the current state of the world
Trying to find a reason
Trying to understand why things are happening the way they are
Trying to blame it on their mama
Pointing fingers and placing blame on others instead of taking responsibility
Like it's coming through to take away their Jesus
Feeling like a sense of identity and meaning is being threatened or taken away
I see the glow in the window from the street
Seeing things from an outside perspective and gaining insight
And I see truth through the passion I release
Finding truth and authenticity through expression and creativity
And absorb it, all of this is torn apart at the seams
Absorbing and processing the complexities and contradictions of life
And explain to me that I don't need a hand to hold a dream
Realizing that personal dreams and goals don't require the validation or support of others
Said, I don't need to stand in front of God to intervene
Believing in personal agency and responsibility instead of divine intervention
With a devil that's inside trying to take away my dreams I created
Internal struggles and fears can prevent personal growth and achievement
Play my little life on the strings
Creating and living a unique, personal narrative
Carve a sentence out of silence, and wear it like a ring to remember
Finding meaning and inspiration in the quiet moments of life and holding onto it as a reminder
"Hell" is just a four-letter word, like "fear"
Demonstrating the arbitrary nature of social constructs, like fear and morality
Tracing the reflection in your tears
Looking inward and examining personal emotions and experiences
I've been choking on my everything for years
Feeling trapped and overwhelmed by internal struggles and emotions for an extended period of time
Trying to force a meaning into anything that ever smudged the mirror, like
Attempting to find meaning and purpose in the obstacles and challenges faced in life
I learned that this is not about control
Realizing that true fulfillment and happiness cannot be achieved through control or rigid plans
No wins, no loss, no points, no goals, just go
Life isn't about competing or reaching milestones, it's about experiencing and exploring
Contributed by Scarlett Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.