Traffic and Sound
Gus Black Lyrics

In the song Traffic and Sound, Gus Black sings about the fleeting and casual nature of relationships, and how we often hold onto high hopes despite the odds of things working out. The first verse starts with the lines "Not that we're gold/ Chasin' dogs in the snow," which could be interpreted as a metaphor for pursuing something elusive or unattainable. The next lines "I don't know, I thought it twice/ Chemicals and perfect eyes" suggest that sometimes we make decisions based on superficial qualities, rather than deeper connections. The chorus repeats the lines "High hopes, high hopes/ Come back around," suggesting that despite previous disappointments, we still hold out hope for a positive outcome. The phrase "rope a dope" in the chorus refers to a boxing strategy where a fighter pretends to be trapped against the ropes, but is actually using the ropes to their advantage. This could be another metaphor for feeling trapped in a relationship, but trying to use the situation to your benefit.

The second verse introduces a new metaphor with the line "Divine cat crawled inside my head," which could represent a stray thought or idea that takes hold and won't go away. The next lines "But she don't want to say it twice/ Calicos and baby mice" suggest that this idea or thought is fleeting and not fully formed. The chorus repeats again, with the added line "Me cinescope captured your smile," which could be interpreted as a reference to old film technology that captures images and moments in time. This adds to the theme of trying to hold onto fleeting moments and memories with someone.

Overall, the song Traffic and Sound has a dreamy and introspective quality to it, with metaphors and imagery that suggest a deep longing for connection and meaning in relationships. Despite the repeated words "casual" and "high hopes," the song ultimately feels resigned to the idea that some things in life are beyond our control, and we should cherish the moments we have while we can.