Split Stones
Maggie Rogers Lyrics

I can see it now, tripping on split stones
The singer can now see the past experiences of struggling and stumbling in their journey, marked by many obstacles represented by 'split stones'.

Trying to make hits so we could play them loud
The singer and their peers were determined to create successful music that could be played loudly and admired by others.

Picking at our souls like we didn't know Just like we were only playing with the sound
The process of creating music often involved deep introspection which was treated as a vague exercise, without realizing the true value of the emotions involved.

Trying to control what was so low But I never knew how then to just go and let it out Get it out
The artist struggled with figuring out how to overcome the challenge of controlling their deepest emotions and finding a way to express them without restraint.

But if you could fight, if you could choose If you could say all the things you wanted to If you couldn't lie If you would only move like you had something to lose If you could cry, if you couldn't sleep it off If you could feel everything you've ever caused If you couldn't lie If you would only move like you had something to lose Like you had something to lose Like you had something to lose
The artist offers a vision of what they and others could do if they had the courage and honesty to confront and express their deepest emotions and actions

And I'm not saying I would always speak up That it didn't creep up on me all the time I'm just saying there was a window Where you could've let go in that place and time
The singer acknowledges that they too were not always able to muster the courage to speak out, and that it was sometimes difficult to let go of their emotional baggage, but they remind us that opportunities to do so can present themselves.

Laughing all it off like it was innocent Oh, but all I ever wanted was to get rid of it and let it out Get it out
There were many times when the singer tried to shrug off their pent up feelings as if they were meaningless, but deep down they yearned to be free from them and let them out.

And I can see us there You staring at me And me just praying for air I can see us there Standing cheek to cheek And counting week by week Wishing everything would be clear I can see us there I can see us there
The artist reminisces about a moment where they were deeply affected with emotions, and even though they were close to someone, they felt suffocated and yearned for clarity.