Glaspy boasts a diverse of musical background from competitive fiddle to marching band trombone and influences ranging from Joni Mitchell to Elliott Smith. She focuses her talents in fiercely raw, guitar-driven pop songs. She cut her debut album at Sear Sound with Shawn Everett (Alabama Shakes, Lucius, Har Mar Superstar) in New York City.
Discography - Solo
Homeschool EP (2012, self-Released)
If & When EP (2013, self-Released)
You and I b/w Somebody to Anybody 7-inch (2016, ATO Records)
Emotions and Math (2016, ATO Records)
Born Yesterday EP (2018, ATO Records)
Devotion (2020, ATO Records)
Echo the Diamond (2023, ATO Records)
With The Fundies
The Fundies EP (2012 self-Released)
Killing What Keeps Us Alive
Margaret Glaspy Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And we keep killing what keeps us alive
Like a rocket ship into the sun
My love knows no end for you
Nothing's ours
So I'll sell my soul and buy the stars for you
We're young with nothin' to our names
If we keep living like we'll never die
And we keep killing what keeps us alive
We keep living like we'll never die
And we keep killing what keeps us alive
I've been wandering through the dark
And I wanna light a spark with you
And start a fire in you heart
And watch the stars fade from black to blue
We're young with nothing to our names
Feel no shame - time's wasting away
If we keep living like we'll never die
And we keep killing what keeps us alive
We keep living like we'll never die
And we keep killing what keeps us alive
We keep living like we'll never die
And we keep killing what keeps us alive
We keep living like we'll never die
And we keep killing what keeps us alive
Alive, alive, alive
The song Killing What Keeps Us Alive by Margaret Glaspy is about living life with careless abandon without considering the consequences of our actions. The first two lines of the song capture this sentiment perfectly, "We keep living like we'll never die / And we keep killing what keeps us alive." Glaspy uses a metaphor of a rocket ship flying into the sun to showcase this idea - just like the rocket ship, we are headed towards our own destruction due to our reckless behavior.
However, despite the destructive nature of their lifestyle, the singer has a deep love for their partner. They will do anything for their love, even if it means "selling [their] soul and buying the stars" for them. The singer desires to ignite a spark in their partner's heart and watch the stars fade from black to blue, showing they want to bring joy, positivity, and happiness to their partner's life in the midst of the reckless and destructive lifestyle they lead.
Overall, Killing What Keeps Us Alive is a poignant commentary on society's tendency to take things for granted and how recklessness can lead to dangerous consequences. The love story intertwined into the song creates a balance of hope and the idea that change is possible despite the darkness that surrounds them.
Line by Line Meaning
We keep living like we'll never die
We approach life with a sense of invincibility, disregarding the fact that our mortality is inevitable.
And we keep killing what keeps us alive
Ironically, our behaviors and actions that we believe will bring us happiness actually harm us more than help us.
Like a rocket ship into the sun
Our passion and love for someone burns brightly and intensely, ultimately ending in destruction.
My love knows no end for you
My love for you is boundless and limitless, and I am willing to do anything to express that love.
Nothing's ours
In this fleeting life, we don't own anything, and everything is temporary.
So I'll sell my soul and buy the stars for you
I will do whatever it takes, even if it means sacrificing my own well-being, to give you everything you desire.
We're young with nothin' to our names
As young people, we have yet to establish ourselves, and we have very little material possessions.
I feel no pain - time's wasting away
Although time is slipping away, I am not concerned with wasting it because I am too focused on living in the moment.
I've been wandering through the dark
I have been lost and aimless, searching for a path in life.
And I wanna light a spark with you
I want to create a connection with you and kindle a flame between us.
And start a fire in you heart
I want to ignite a passion within you that will drive you forward.
And watch the stars fade from black to blue
I want to see the world from a new perspective, experiencing the beauty of the universe with you.
Feel no shame - time's wasting away
I don't feel embarrassed or self-conscious about my behavior because I am too concerned about making the most of my time.
Alive, alive, alive
We are alive in this moment, and we should make the most of it before it's too late.
Writer(s): Margaret Glaspy
Contributed by Elijah S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Logan SJ
Total change in tone. Cool to see you expand. HUGE fan of “Emotions & Math” (album), so I’m excited to see what you have in store next.
dablaire89
she went the bon iver route
D Ramirez
Super excited to see the growth in your music. I’ve listened to this a few times and the more I listen the more your voice fills the space beautifully. Although I’m still a huge fan of raw and stripped down Margret, I can’t wait for the rest of the album and the May 8th Show
Peace.
Mario Antonio
Discovered this song on the radio by accident and I got hooked instantly
Josh Liam
As someone who has mostly been writing the same kind of songs for a decade now, seeing this far of a change of direction inspires me to try writing something completely different. Great song!
Marco Fagiani
Love this song an the whole album
Aaron Clow
Heartfelt message in this track. Looking forward to the new album!
Lewis Francis
When I read about the new direction I have to admit I was a bit put off, but this is lovely. Where was it shot? Looks like where I grew up in SW VA. Can't wait to hear more!
Heron
Merecia muito mais reconhecimento
TheZooropaBaby
I actually find it really interesting, im generally excited as to what Margaret would make in future