Icarus
Hopes Die Last Lyrics

The lyrics of Hopes Die Last's song Icarus symbolize the danger of being overly ambitious, taking unnecessary risks, and going beyond one's limits. The first stanza talks about the singer's experience of drinking too much saltwater from the ocean they swim in, which made their mouth dry continuously. The reference to drinking too much water could signify the desire for too much success, which can ultimately lead to self-destruction. The second line of the first stanza describes the singer's encounter with the sea's surface, where they floated like a bottle cork, indicating their vulnerability and lack of control. However, despite the danger, the singer mentions that they could fly with their wings, which may symbolize their ambition and desire to rise high.

The chorus of the song highlights the tragic end of Icarus, who lost his wings when he flew too close to the sun. The expression "wings out of wax" refers to how Icarus constructed his wings with wax, which melted when he flew too close to the sun's heat. The phrase "that birds will spurn" symbolizes the risks of not heeding the advice of others. Birds generally have better judgment when it comes to flying, and when they spurn Icarus's wings made of wax, they represent the wise warnings that people often ignore.

The third and fourth stanzas talk about the singer's realization of their mistakes and how they are now fighting to resist their fears. The lines "Watch the things you’ve done, feeling like you will die, feeling like I’ve trembled" show the singer's fear and regret, realizing the danger they put themselves in. The verses end with the repetition of "watch the things you have done," symbolizing the need for self-awareness and taking responsibility for one's actions.