Starting out as a hip-hop producer at the age of 13, Dapperton made the switch to his current sound after a serious hospitalisation and the failure of his laptop.
Pairing infectious, nostalgia-laden tunes with high-concept filmclips, lauded for their high-concept cinematic execution, has proven to be a recipe for success. Blowing up through 2017, with two EPs dropped, and fans and the press alike taking notice, Dapperton's future looks bright.
Flatline
Gus Dapperton Lyrics
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I don't know what to say, I'm running outta jokes
You said, "Stop breaking my chops, just why can't this pain of yours stop?"
I'm sorry, ma, it kills to leave you here alone
You know it's here to stay, it's got me on the ropes
No, I'm not tryna play, but I'm running outta hope
You said "Keep that to yourself, I don't handle this shit as well as you do"I'm sorry, hon, I hate to make you cry
If I pull through, you would take me home with you
If I make it, you would have my heart and embrace it
But if I flatline, would you come and mope around my grave?
I said we'd both go down in flames
You know it's on the way, I'm with you on the tow
I wish that I could stay, you won't know how to cope
You said "Take me with you right now", I would if I only knew how to
I'm so sorry, you shouldn't have to comply
If I pull through, you would take me home with you
If I make it, you would have my heart and embrace it
But if I flatline, would you come and mope around my grave?
If I said we'd both go down in flames
Babe, I cannot phrase it in a way that isn't right
But any way you pray, there's still no way to make it last
Nobody can save me, please don't treat me like my past
When we were supposed to flame, just come on and meet me in the ash
If I pull through, you would take me home with you
If I make it, you would have my heart and embrace it
But if I flatline, would you come and mope around my grave?
I said we'd both go down in flames
It's a mistake
The song Flatline by Gus Dapperton is a song about the struggles of living with mental illness and the toll it can take on one's relationships. The song speaks about the inevitability of the negative feelings and emotions that come with mental illness, and the helplessness that can come with being unable to control those feelings. The lyrics describe the weight that these negative feelings place upon the singer and how they affect those around him, causing them pain and frustration.
The first verse speaks about the level of pain that the singer is experiencing and how it affects his relationships with his loved ones. He expresses his sadness and regret for leaving his mother alone and acknowledges that his illness may lead to his own downfall. The chorus speaks about the singer's need for support and affection – he asks his loved one if they would stay with him throughout the good and the bad times.
The second verse paints a picture of the situation escalating – the singer feels like he has run out of hope and is on the verge of giving up. Despite this, his lover still supports him and tells him to keep his worries to himself. The latter half of the song speaks about how the singer's illness will affect those he loves, questioning whether or not they will mope around his grave if he doesn't make it. The lyrics suggest that the singer doesn't want people to mourn him if he dies, but would rather want his loved ones to celebrate his life and what they had together.
Overall, Flatline is a powerful song that brings attention to the struggles of living with mental illness and the toll it can take on those around us. It speaks about the importance of love and support during difficult times and how difficult it can be to accept that love and support when one is struggling with mental illness.
Line by Line Meaning
You know it's on the way, you know it's on the road
The inevitable misfortune is imminent and cannot be avoided.
I don't know what to say, I'm running outta jokes
The singer is struggling to cope with the situation and to maintain a sense of humor.
You said, "Stop breaking my chops, just why can't this pain of yours stop?"
The listener is frustrated by the singer's suffering and wishes for it to end.
I'm sorry, ma, it kills to leave you here alone
The singer is remorseful about the burden that their situation places on their loved ones.
You know it's here to stay, it's got me on the ropes
The situation is continuing and causing significant distress.
No, I'm not tryna play, but I'm running outta hope
The singer is sincere in their desperation and has little optimism for a positive outcome.
You said "Keep that to yourself, I don't handle this shit as well as you do"
The listener is overwhelmed by the singer's emotions and wishes for some measure of privacy.
I'm sorry, hon, I hate to make you cry
The singer regrets causing pain to their loved one and wishes to alleviate it.
If I pull through, you would take me home with you
The singer recognizes that if they recover, their loved ones will help care for them.
If I make it, you would have my heart and embrace it
The singer trusts that their loved ones will be there for them regardless of the outcome.
But if I flatline, would you come and mope around my grave?
The singer questions whether their loved ones will be able to handle their death and to move on.
I said we'd both go down in flames
The singer and their loved ones share a strong emotional connection that will be tested by the situation.
I wish that I could stay, you won't know how to cope
The singer is concerned about leaving their loved ones to manage their situation alone.
You said "Take me with you right now", I would if I only knew how to
The listener is struggling to cope with their own emotions and wishes to remain close to the singer.
I'm so sorry, you shouldn't have to comply
The singer feels guilty about the burden placed on their loved one and wishes to avoid causing them further distress.
Babe, I cannot phrase it in a way that isn't right
The singer struggles to express the depth of their emotions and the gravity of the situation.
But any way you pray, there's still no way to make it last
Regardless of the listener's faith or beliefs, the singer's situation is beyond saving.
Nobody can save me, please don't treat me like my past
The singer acknowledges that their condition is beyond salvation and wishes to be recognized as their present self, not for any failings in their past.
When we were supposed to flame, just come on and meet me in the ash
The singer asks their loved ones to not abandon them in their moment of need but to remain present even when the situation is difficult.
It's a mistake
The situation is regrettable and unfortunate, but the singer holds no one accountable.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Brendan Patrick Rice
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind