In the second verse, Mitski mentions the scent of flowers and how she says her lover’s name hoping that they'll hear it in the stars. This reveals her desperation and longing for someone who is not physically present with her. The chorus repeats the phrase "carry me out", suggesting that she wants someone to rescue her from her sense of isolation and bring her out into the world again.
The bridge introduces a new metaphor for her situation - driving in the rain down a path that leads to the underworld. The image of the "headlight spirits" leading her down "the Styx" creates a sense of foreboding and desperation, as if Mitski is willing to go to any lengths to connect with this person.
Overall, "Carry Me Out" is a song about the universal experience of longing for someone who is absent. Mitski is able to express this in a deeply personal and poetic way, creating an evocative and emotional experience for the listener.
Carry Me Out
Mitski Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
On the roof top
I untie my hair
And watch from my plastic chair
As my dark hair
Unleashes the night
The scent of flowers
And I
Say your name
In hopes you'll hear it in the stars
And carry me out
Carry me out
I drive when it rains
At night when it rains I drive
And the headlight spirits
They lead me down the styx
So black it shines
And carry me out
Carry me out
At night
On the roof top
I untie my hair
And watch from my plastic chair
As my dark hair
Unleashes the night
Mitski's "Carry Me Out" is a song that explores the theme of longing and the desire for escape. The opening lines, "At night, on the rooftop, I untie my hair," suggest a moment of freedom from the mundane routines of everyday life. It's a moment where the singer is free to let go and release the weight of the day. The image of her sitting on a plastic chair and looking out into the night with her hair unleashed is powerful and visually striking.
The scent of the flowers still in bloom from the morning shower suggests a sense of hopefulness and optimism. The singer says the name of the person she is longing for, hoping that they will hear her voice in the stars. The repeated refrain, "Carry me out, carry me out," further emphasizes the singer's desire for escape.
The second verse takes us on an intense journey. The singer drives through the rain at night, and the "headlight spirits" lead her down the Styx, the river that separates the world of the living from the world of the dead in Greek mythology. This could suggest that the singer is searching for an escape from the pain of life and is willing to travel to the underworld in search of it.
Overall, "Carry Me Out" is a hauntingly beautiful track that explores themes of longing and desire for escape.
Line by Line Meaning
At night
The singer sets the scene for her innermost thoughts, taking place in the dark hours of the night.
On the rooftop
The singer is physically positioned on a high point, perhaps to gain perspective or escape from the world below.
I untie my hair
The singer performs an act of release, freeing her hair from the restrictions of the day.
And watch from my plastic chair
The artist observes the world from a man-made object that doesn't quite fit with the natural surroundings.
As my dark hair
The artist is physically identifying herself and her dark-haired appearance.
Unleashes the night
The singer's hair symbolizes the night, as it spills out freely from its confines.
The scent of flowers
The singer notes the presence of nature and its fragrance in the air.
Still in bloom from morning shower
The flowers retain their freshness from the earlier hours of the day.
And I say your name
The artist addresses a specific person, perhaps in her mind or through a ritual of invocation.
In hopes you'll hear it in the stars
The artist expresses a desire for her words to be carried far and wide, reaching beyond the earthly plane.
And carry me out
The repeated refrain of the song, suggesting a longing for escape and release from something.
I drive when it rains
The artist uses the weather as a trigger to take action and move forward.
At night when it rains, I drive
The action takes place in a specific setting and time, emphasizing the singer's need for purpose and direction.
And the headlight spirits
The singer imbues the headlights of the car with a supernatural quality, perhaps to find comfort or protection.
They lead me down the styx
The singer references the River Styx from Greek mythology, which symbolizes transition and passage into the unknown.
So black it shines
The artist describes the darkness of the road as something that glimmers or stands out, calling attention to its eerie beauty.
And carry me out
The repeated refrain continues, signifying the artist's need for a guiding force or escape from something oppressive.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Mitsuki Laycock
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@hyrin._
Lyrics :
At night
On the roof top
I untie my hair
And watch from my plastic chair
As my dark hair
Unleashes the night
The scent of flowers
Still in bloom from morning shower
And I
Say your name
In hopes you'll hear it in the stars
And carry me out
Carry me out
I drive when it rains
At night when it rains I drive
And the headlight spirits
They lead me down the styx
So black it shines
And carry me out
Carry me out
At night
On the roof top
I untie my hair
And watch from my plastic chair
As my dark hair
Unleashes the night
@EvaStonm
G9 Gmaj7 Cmaj7 Am
G9 Gmaj7 D7 Am
[Verse]
G D
At night
Am Cmaj7
On the roof top
G D Am Cmaj7
I untie my hair
G D Am
And watch from my plastic chair
C G
As my dark hair
D Am Cmaj7
Unleashes... the night
G Am
The scent of flowers
Bm C
Still in bloom from morning shower and I
Em C
say your name
Am D7 G
In hopes you'll hear it in the stars
[Chorus]
G C Em Am C G D
And carry me ouuuuuooo ooo ooo..oot
G C Em Am D7 G
Carry me ouoooo ooo ooo..oot
[Bridge]
G D Am C
I... drive when it rains
G D Am C
At night when it rains I drive
G D
And the headlight spirits
Am C G
They lead me down the styx
D Am
So black it shines
[Chorus]
G C Em Am C G D
And carry me ouuuuuooo ooo ooo..oot
G C Em Am D7 G
Carry me ouoooo ooo ooo..oot
[Verse]
G D
At night
Am Cmaj7
On the roof top
G D Am Cmaj7
I untie my hair
G D Am
And watch from my plastic chair
C G
As my dark hair
D Am Cmaj7
Unleashes... the night
[Instrumental]
G C Em... Am C G D
G C Em... Am D7 G (x2)
@superstarri_04
imo this is the best song in the album i just erupt into tears
@pandorasenpai573
THIS!!! IT'S SO UNDERRATED
@lasagnadelray
LITERALLY ONE OF HER BEST
@emmi999
YESS LITERALLY ONE OF HER BEST SONGS PERIOD AND SO UNDERRATED TOO ‼️ IT MOVES ME TO TEARS EVERY TIME 💗💗💗
@bag.of.bones.
a part of me cringes a little when i see old people comment about their nostalgia on older songs and how "the younger generation will never understand" but i see myself 15 years from now tearfully commenting on one of mitskis songs feeling nostalgic and thankful that i was a teenager during this time.
@AddieCat_Official
Same.
@yourisnotdiabetesieattoes1876
Exactly like Im so lucky to be born in the same time period as her
@undigesteddonut
mitski woke up and decided to give us a whole feast EVERYONE SAY THANK YOU!!!!
@Miko7lime
Thank you mitski
@felicy-tliiasaw
THANK YOU!!!