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Members:
Nathaniel Rateliff
Patrick Meese
Julie Davis
Joseph Pope III
James Han
What a drag
Nathaniel Rateliff Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You're feelin' so safe
But you cannot hear or ignore
Here's where the crash lands
Not as graceful as one thinks
So brace for the things you don't know
I left, I left feeling alone
But you can undo it, man
You seem surprised, babe
After years of the same thing
Well, I hope it's the half that you want
There's not a last dance
And no one really wins
So you cannot hold in your cries
Open your eyes, I left feeling alone
I left, I left feeling alone
I left, I left feeling alone
But you can undo it, man
The lyrics to Nathaniel Rateliff's song "What a drag" convey a sense of frustration and discontent in a relationship. The opening line, "Ain't it a drag, babe?" sets the tone for the song, suggesting a feeling of being weighed down and unsatisfied. The singer feels safe in the relationship, but there is a communication breakdown - "But you cannot hear or ignore."
The second verse introduces the idea of a crash landing, representing a sudden and unexpected disruption. The crash is not as graceful as one would expect, indicating that the fallout from the relationship is messy and difficult. The singer advises to brace for the unknown, implying that there may be more challenges ahead.
The chorus, "I left, I left feeling alone" repeats, emphasizing the loneliness and isolation the singer feels. Despite this, there is a glimmer of hope as the lyrics suggest that it is possible to undo the feelings of loneliness, perhaps by taking action or making a change.
The second verse addresses the partner's surprise at the singer's departure after years of the same thing. The singer hopes that the partner gets what they want, suggesting a desire for both individuals to find happiness, even if it means going their separate ways. The mention of there not being a last dance and no one really winning further underscores the somber tone of the song.
The final plea to "open your eyes" implies a need for the partner to see and understand the singer's perspective. Despite leaving feeling alone, there is still a glimmer of hope that things can be undone, possibly through mutual understanding and communication.
Line by Line Meaning
Ain't it a drag, babe?
Isn't it burdensome, my dear?
You're feelin' so safe
You have a sense of security
But you cannot hear or ignore
But you are unable to listen or disregard
Here's where the crash lands
This is where the unfortunate outcome occurs
Not as graceful as one thinks
It's not as elegant as one imagines
So brace for the things you don't know
Prepare yourself for the unknown
I left, I left feeling alone
I departed, feeling isolated
But you can undo it, man
However, you have the ability to reverse it, my friend
You seem surprised, babe
You appear to be taken aback, darling
After years of the same thing
After years of repetition
Well, I hope it's the half that you want
Well, I hope it's the desired outcome
There's not a last dance
There isn't a final opportunity
And no one really wins
And nobody truly emerges victorious
So you cannot hold in your cries
So you cannot suppress your tears
Open your eyes, I left feeling alone
Open your eyes, I departed feeling isolated
But you can undo it, man
However, you have the ability to reverse it, my friend
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Nathaniel David Rateliff
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
bybrezz
I'm so happy you are pulling of a 3rd solo record. I love what you do with The Night Sweats, but Falling Faster Than You Can Run is a masterpiece. Can't wait to hear what you have
brandon knaak
its more Kid A styled than the album this song is on, so id go ask for opinions from that area. I love Kid A(top 3 for me) so excellent dam job sir. keep killing it!!
brandon knaak
Falling Faster Than You Can Run and in memory of loss are both criminally underrated and i bviously love em now, but i was pissed when he first started droppin nightsweat stuff lol
Odd Space
its so great! let me know how I compare https://youtu.be/vQzo5z2i9f8
spoocyguy
respect but...nothing can beat in memory of loss
BlownMacTruck
bybrezz Seriously Night Sweats is fun but his solo stuff is on another level.
Alexandra Winkler
Love your solo stuff and what you do with the Night Sweats - it's a guarantee to always get 2 masterpieces instead of one! ❤️
Caitlin Flood
Alexandra Winkler excellent point!! ❤️👏🏻
Santiago Novillo
What a song, and what a video. Thank you Nathaniel, for creating such beautiful things and for giving them to the world. Always a pleasure to listen to everything you do. ❤️
Patty M
Jesus, I felt every bit of this heartbreaking song. 😭😭 When he was dancing alone i just wanted to run in there, give the guy a hug and tell him he can cry on my shoulder. 😭😭