"On the wing" is a song by How To Destroy Angels from their second release,… Read Full Bio ↴"On the wing" is a song by How To Destroy Angels from their second release, "An omen EP_". It is also one of four songs from the EP featured on HTDA's first full-length release, Welcome Oblivion, and the only song to appear on both releases that has thus far not been given a music video.

It was covered by Nine Inch Nails with Mariqueen Maandig during the NIN + QOTSA Tour. On December 14, 2018, Mike Garson joined the band to perform the song.

On the Wing
How to Destroy Angels Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

We've grown
Should've known
All alone
We wake

Single file
Remembering how
And all the while

We wait

I hear the warnings on the wing
I don't believe in anything

Kept inside
Afraid to rise
Foolish pride
We wait

Off the trail
We eat our tails
I can't fail
I wait
And wait

I hear the warnings on the wing
I don't believe in anything
I hear the voices rise and sing
But I don't believe in anything

Used to
Believe in you

Yet all we do
Is wait

Overall Meaning

The song "On the Wing" by How to Destroy Angels appears to be a reflection on the fickleness of human belief systems. The first verse describes a state of growth and awakening, yet there is a sense of regret, a feeling that they should have known better. The following lines depict isolation and waiting, almost as though they are trapped in a cycle of familiarity and unable to break free without consequence. The lyrics then take a turn towards doubt and disbelief. The repetition of the phrase "I don't believe in anything" suggests a sense of disillusionment and mistrust towards those who claim to know the truth. There is a sense of internal conflict between the desire for clarity and the fear of being wrong.

The second verse adds more detail to this feeling of stagnation and doubt. They feel as though they are trapped, afraid to take risks or deviate from the norm. There is a sense of self-deception and stubbornness in phrases like "foolish pride" and "I can't fail." The repeated line "And wait" further emphasizes the theme of stagnation and inaction. The final verse brings the song full circle, with a reference to a lost belief in someone or something. However, the repetition of "all we do is wait" suggests that even this belief was not enough to inspire action or change. In the end, the song seems to ask whether the comfort of the familiar is worth sacrificing our ability to grow and learn.

Line by Line Meaning

We've grown
We have matured and evolved

Should've known
We should have foreseen what was going to happen

All alone
We are lonely; there is no one else around

We wake
We become conscious after a period of sleep or unconsciousness

Single file
We are moving one after another in a line

Remembering how
We recall how things used to be

And all the while
Throughout the entire process

We wait
We remain in a state of anticipation

I hear the warnings on the wing
I perceive imminent danger

I don't believe in anything
I am skeptical about everything

Kept inside
Locked in our own mental barriers

Afraid to rise
Fearful of advancing or taking risks

Foolish pride
Excessive self-esteem or arrogance that is unwarranted

We wait
We remain in a state of anticipation

Off the trail
We are deviating from the usual course of action

We eat our tails
We are consumed by our own anxieties and frustrations

I can't fail
We want to avoid any possibility of failure

and wait
We continue to remain in a state of anticipation

I hear the warnings on the wing
I perceive imminent danger

I don't believe in anything
I am skeptical about everything

I hear the voices rise and sing
I perceive an emerging message or movement

But I don't believe in anything
I am skeptical about everything

Used to
We used to have a certain belief or expectation

Believe in you
We had faith in someone or something

Yet all we do
Nevertheless, our actions remain the same

Is wait
We remain in a state of anticipation

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: ATTICUS ROSS, MARIQUEEN ARRABACA MAANDIG, TRENT REZNOR

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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