Slipping Away
Henry and the Wolves Lyrics

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Whatever key's me up
It's something close to trust
It's something saying
If I may, I must
Change my ways, looks, mind
Although I'm not that kind
I'll have to make it worth her while
If she's all that matters

I'll invent what it takes to have her
A bebop hype
Or kinder, music for a film
A hip groove to loop
Or salt mouse with mayonnaise
Mention money and I'll buy you fame

All that to get myself close to be her lotion
I'm slipping away from me, girl

I know I really get trapped in this
And I'll go on to I get wired of myself

It's a wave
And I'm on top to fall

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of the song Slipping Away by Henry and the Wolves are reflective of a person's struggle to change themselves to please the person they desire. The artist speaks of the key that keys them up, which is trust in this case. They acknowledge that they need to change their ways, looks, and mind to be worthy of the person they like. However, they also admit that they are not that kind of person. The artist is willing to do whatever it takes to win over the person, be it by changing their style or creating music that they think the person may like.

The lyrics also talk about the artist's willingness to spend money to get the person's attention, and even 'buy them fame.' The line "All that to get myself close to be her lotion" suggests that the artist feels like they are changing to become more like a product, something that can be used to please the significant other. Despite all of this, the artist feels like they are losing themselves in the process of trying to win over the object of their desire. They feel like they are slipping away from themselves, and it's causing them distress.

The song is quite deep and relatable to people who have been in a situation where they have tried to change themselves to please someone else. It also highlights how easy it is to lose yourself in the process of pleasing someone else.

Line by Line Meaning

Whatever key's me up
Whatever motivates me

It's something close to trust
It's a feeling of trust in someone or something

It's something saying
It's a voice within me

If I may, I must
If I have the opportunity, I must act on it

Change my ways, looks, mind
I need to change myself to impress her

Although I'm not that kind
I'm not naturally like this, but I have to make an effort

I'll have to make it worth her while
I need to impress her enough for her to be interested in me

If she's all that matters
She is the only one who matters

I'll invent what it takes to have her
I will do whatever it takes to win her over

A bebop hype
Something flashy and exciting

Or kinder, music for a film
Something softer and more romantic