Slow It Down
LIVING ROOM - The Lumineers Lyrics


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I feel her filth in my bones
Wash off my hands 'til it's gone
The walls they're closing in
With velvet curtains

Some love was made for the lights
Some kiss your cheek and goodnight
Lift up a red high heel
Lock up your doors with steel

They're makin' noise in my street
My blinds are drawn, I can't see
Smashed in my car window
Didn't touch the stereo

Slow it down, Angie, come back to bed
Rest your arms and rest your legs

Act like you've been here before
Smile less and dress up some more
Tie up your scarf real tight
These boys are out for blood tonight

Slow it down, Angie, come back to bed
Rest your arms and rest your legs

And when she stood, she stood tall
She'll make a fool of you all
Don't ask for cigarettes
She ain't got nothin' left for you

I never, she never, we never looked back
That wasn't what we were good at
And when it came to love
We were not good enough, oh

Slow it down, Angie, come back to bed
Rest your arms and rest your legs




Don't you frown when you're feelin' like that
Only love can dig you out of this

Overall Meaning

The song "Slow it Down" by The Lumineers showcases a story of a girl who is trying to survive in a world filled with men who are making noise in her street. The first verse of the song dives into the singer's experience of feeling the girl's filth in his bones which he tries to wash off his hands until it's gone. The girl has been reduced to a life of despair and loneliness, where the only security she has is to lock her doors with steel. However, the walls seem to be closing in with velvet curtains, signifying a sense of entrapment that the girl is experiencing.


The chorus of the song urges Angie to slow it down and come back to bed to rest her arms and legs. But as the song progresses, we see the strength that resides within Angie. She stands tall and makes a fool out of those who underestimate her, telling them that she has nothing left to offer them, emphasizing her sense of self-worth. The verse that follows shows that Angie and the singer never looked back, highlighting their differences and their lack of ability to love each other. The song ends on a positive note, reminding Angie that love is the only thing that can help her dig out of her situation.


Overall, "Slow it Down" by The Lumineers captures the bleakness and despair that can arise in someone's life. Through Angie's story, the song highlights the importance of self-love, self-worth, and the need for love and support during difficult times.


Line by Line Meaning

I feel her filth in my bones
I can sense the negative impact of this person in the deepest parts of me


Wash off my hands 'til it's gone
I try to cleanse myself of her influence as much as possible


The walls they're closing in
I feel trapped and suffocated by this situation


With velvet curtains
Even the opulence of these curtains cannot comfort me


Some love was made for the lights
Some love can only exist in the public eye


Some kiss your cheek and goodnight
Other love is more intimate


Lift up a red high heel
This line and the next are a warning: be careful and protect yourself


Lock up your doors with steel
This situation is dangerous and requires drastic measures


They're makin' noise in my street
The outside world is intrusive and noisy


My blinds are drawn, I can't see
I am shutting out the world, even if it's not healthy


Smashed in my car window
Someone has violated me and my property


Didn't touch the stereo
This person was not interested in material possessions


Slow it down, Angie, come back to bed
This is a plea to slow down and focus on what truly matters


Rest your arms and rest your legs
Take care of yourself and take a break


Act like you've been here before
Don't act out of desperation, be confident


Smile less and dress up some more
Don't rely on your appearance or charm alone


Tie up your scarf real tight
Get ready for a fight or confrontation


These boys are out for blood tonight
This situation is serious and potentially violent


And when she stood, she stood tall
This person was unapologetically themselves and stood up for what they believed in


She'll make a fool of you all
Don't underestimate this person, they are not easily fooled


Don't ask for cigarettes
This person has nothing left to give


She ain't got nothin' left for you
This person is done with this situation and is moving on


I never, she never, we never looked back
Neither of us wanted to dwell on what went wrong


That wasn't what we were good at
We were better at moving forward than looking back


And when it came to love
Our love was not enough to sustain us


We were not good enough, oh
We were not capable of making things work between us


Don't you frown when you're feelin' like that
Even when things get tough, keep a positive attitude


Only love can dig you out of this
Only love can heal the wounds caused by this situation




Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Jeremy Fraites, Wesley Schultz

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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