Next of Kin
Lucy Dacus Lyrics
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Sucking on a ginger root
I never got to talk to you
Why is this the image I come back to?
Pick my jewelry from the ash
Find the box with the cold hard cash in it
Give it to the next of kin
Now I'm too far out of my skin
Too far out of my skin
I am at peace with my death
I can go back to bed
I am at peace with my death
I can go back to bed
I make a desert of my mind
Unfold myself so flat and wide
Have nothing in mind in sight
No cover for my thoughts to hide
Never went to my Monaco
But I held you hand in the pocket of my coat
I learned to be loving and then to be alone
Satisfied body and a hungry soul
I used to be too deep inside my head
Now I'm too far out of my skin
Too far out of my skin
I am at peace with my death
I can go back to bed
I am at peace with my death
I can go back to bed
I don't wanna be that man on the train
On a grey commute, imagining fame
Sweet relief, I will never be complete
I will never be complete
I'll never know everything
I will never be complete
I will never be complete
I will never be complete
I'll never know everything
I used to be too deep inside my head
Now I'm too far out of my skin
Too far out of my skin
"Next Of Kin" by Lucy Dacus explores themes of self-reflection, mortality, and finding peace within oneself. The opening lines, "Reading in the phone booth, Sucking on a ginger root," suggest a sense of isolation and introspection. The image of being in a phone booth, a private space, symbolizes the singer's attempt to escape from the outside world and delve into their own thoughts and emotions. The ginger root, known for its calming properties, could be seen as a coping mechanism or a way to find solace in the midst of chaos.
The lyrics also touch upon the idea of reaching a state of acceptance with death. The line, "I am at peace with my death, I can go back to bed," hints at the singer's resignation and tranquility when faced with their own mortality. This sense of peace allows them to retreat from the pressures and anxieties of life, to withdraw into themselves and find comfort.
The song delves deeper into the theme of self-discovery and the complex nature of relationships. The line, "But I held your hand in the pocket of my coat," suggests a moment of intimacy within a larger destructive pattern. It speaks to the contradictory experiences of love and loneliness, as the singer learns to navigate both fulfilling their own desires and being alone. The lyrics imply a sense of growth and understanding, acknowledging the complexities of human connections.
Line by Line Meaning
Reading in the phone booth
Engrossed in a private space, seeking solace or escape through literature
Sucking on a ginger root
Finding solace or relief in a simple and natural remedy
I never got to talk to you
Regretting the missed opportunity for a meaningful conversation
Why is this the image I come back to?
Questioning why this particular memory or thought keeps resurfacing
Pick my jewelry from the ash
Taking valuable possessions from the remnants or aftermath of a destructive event
Find the box with the cold hard cash in it
Discovering hidden wealth or financial resources in a secure container
Give it to the next of kin
Passing on the inherited wealth or resources to the rightful recipient
I used to be too deep inside my head
Overthinking or being overly introspective in the past
Now I'm too far out of my skin
Feeling disconnected or detached from oneself, lacking a sense of identity
I am at peace with my death
Accepting the inevitability of one's own mortality and finding inner tranquility
I can go back to bed
Returning to a state of rest or escapism, metaphorically or literally
I make a desert of my mind
Creating a barren and empty mental landscape, devoid of thoughts or distractions
Unfold myself so flat and wide
Expanding one's self-awareness and embracing vulnerability
Have nothing in mind in sight
Being free from preoccupations or worries, having clear thoughts
No cover for my thoughts to hide
Having no disguise or camouflage for one's true thoughts or emotions
Never went to my Monaco
Never experienced a luxurious or extravagant lifestyle
But I held you hand in the pocket of my coat
Finding comfort or solace in a physical connection with someone
I learned to be loving and then to be alone
Gaining the ability to love others but also accepting solitude as a necessary part of life
Satisfied body and a hungry soul
Feeling physically content but still longing for fulfillment on a deeper level
I don't wanna be that man on the train
Expressing a desire to avoid becoming stuck in a monotonous and unfulfilling routine
On a grey commute, imagining fame
Using daydreams or fantasies of fame as a means of escapism from the mundane
Sweet relief, I will never be complete
Finding temporary relief or comfort but acknowledging that true fulfillment is unattainable
I'll never know everything
Accepting the limits of knowledge and understanding, embracing a perpetual state of learning
Lyrics © Hipgnosis Songs Group
Written by: Lucy Dacus
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind