4am
Life On Land Lyrics
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When I can't get my rest
And the benzedrine has not yet taken it's effect
When I think about you
When I think about you
By any means you will try
Not to feel it where it hurts
You should try it cause it works
Yeah you should try it cause it works
The days will grow shorter in time
You from your side me from mine
Both a little rundown
Shaking and feeling it climb
That thing running down your spine
‘Till you fall to the ground
You nail your windows shut trying
To keep all the clean air out
Nail yourself shut so as
Not to ever be put down
What is left of you now
What is left of you now
And all your advisors they know
How to free you from self-blame
By convincing you your
Choices won't have been in vain
What is left of you now
What is left of you now
The days will grow shorter in time
You from your side me from mine
Both a little rundown
Shaking and feeling it climb
That thing running down your spine
‘Till you fall to the ground
At least I'm aware of myself
And I know what I must do
I'm just looking for some help
But babe I cannot come to you
What is left of me now
What is left of me now
The days will grow shorter in time
You from your side me from mine
Both a little rundown
Shaking and feeling it climb
That thing running down your spine
‘Till you fall to the ground
The opening lines of Life On Land's "4am" suggests a restless, sleepless state. The singer is walking the streets long after sunset, unable to find rest, while the drug benzedrine has yet to take effect. The use of this substance may suggest an attempt to numb or push down emotions, but the line "When I think about you" suggests that it isn't entirely successful. The song's themes of isolation and failed attempts at escape continue throughout the next verses.
The chorus's repetition of the phrase "The days will grow shorter in time" seems to emphasize the feeling of impermanence and the inevitability of change. The singer and another person (perhaps a lover?) are growing "a little rundown" and "feeling it climb," possibly indicating rising stress or tension. The "thing running down your spine" adds to the feeling of unease and discomfort.
The third verse indicates further attempts to shut out the world - "nail your windows shut trying to keep all the clean air out" - and the idea of "nailing yourself shut" suggests a desire to retreat or to be impervious to harm. The mention of advisors who can "free you from self-blame" hints at some sort of mental or emotional turmoil. The final verse suggests that the singer knows what they need to do, but are unable to turn to someone (perhaps the same person from earlier in the song) for help.
Overall, "4am" is a melancholy song that touches on themes of loneliness, disillusionment, and failed attempts at escape. The use of specific details like the drug benzedrine and the window-nailing add to the song's sense of specificity and realism.
Line by Line Meaning
Walking the streets at sundown
Strolling the streets during sunset.
When I can't get my rest
When I'm unable to sleep.
And the benzedrine has not yet taken it's effect
And the medicine (benzedrine) hasn't worked yet.
When I think about you
When I contemplate about you.
By any means you will try
You'll do anything to avoid pain.
Not to feel it where it hurts
To avoid pain where you're vulnerable.
And the benzedrine mind you
And the medicine (benzedrine) could help.
You should try it cause it works
You should consider it since it helps.
The days will grow shorter in time
The days will become shorter as time passes.
You from your side me from mine
You're on your side, I'm on mine.
Both a little rundown
We're both a bit tired.
Shaking and feeling it climb
Trembling and sensing its escalation.
That thing running down your spine
That sensation going down your spine.
‘Til you fall to the ground
Until you collapse.
You nail your windows shut trying
You shut your windows tightly hoping to keep everything out.
To keep all the clean air out
To prevent even clean air from entering.
Nail yourself shut so as
Close yourself firmly as
Not to ever be put down
Never to feel down again.
What is left of you now
What remains of you now.
And all your advisors they know
All your closest friends are aware
How to free you from self-blame
How to help you avoid blaming yourself.
By convincing you your
By making you believe that your
Choices won't have been in vain
Decisions weren't useless.
At least I'm aware of myself
At least I'm self-aware.
And I know what I must do
And I know what action to take.
I'm just looking for some help
I'm just seeking assistance.
But babe I cannot come to you
But I can't reach out to you.
What is left of me now
What remains of me now.
Contributed by Colton O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.