Moth's Wings
Passion Pit Lyrics


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Dear friend as you know
Your flowers are withering
Your mother's gone missing
Your leaves have drifted away

But the clouds are clearing up
And I've come reveling
Burning incandescently
Like a bastard on the burning sea

You're just like your father
Buried deep under the water
Your resting on your laurels
Is stepping on my toes
Whose side are you on?
What side is this anyway?
Put down your sword and crown
Come lay with me on the ground

You come beating like moth's wings
Spastic and violently
Whipping me into a storm
Shaking me down to the core
But you run away from me
And you left me shimmering
Like diamond wedding rings
Spinning dizzily down on the floor

You're drifting like a fire
Buried deep under the water
You're pressing on your laurel
Is stepping on my toes
Whose side are you on?
What side is this anyway?
Put down your sword and crown




Come lay with me on the ground.
Come lay with me on the ground.

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Passion Pit's "Moth's Wings" depict a conversation that the singer is having with his dear friend who is going through a tough time. The beginning of the song refers to the friend's mother gone missing and the metaphorical withering of their flowers, perhaps referring to a loss of hope or joy. However, the clouds are clearing up, and the singer has come "burning incandescently like a bastard on the burning sea," perhaps indicating that he is ready to help his friend and bring light to their situation.


The next lines of the song suggest that the friend is like their father, buried deep under the water, and is resting on their laurels, which is stepping on the singer's toes. The singer questions whose side the friend is on, and what side they are even on, and pleads for them to put down their sword and crown and come lay with him on the ground. This could mean that the singer is trying to get the friend to let go of any preconceived notions or pressures they may be feeling and just be present with him.


The chorus of the song paints a powerful image of the friend "beating like moth's wings, spastic and violently" and whipping the singer into a storm, but then running away and leaving them "shimmering like diamond wedding rings" spinning on the floor. This could suggest that the friend's actions and emotions are erratic and sporadic, with moments of intensity followed by distance and detachment. Overall, the lyrics of "Moth's Wings" offer a message of support and a call for connection and presence.


Line by Line Meaning

Dear friend as you know
The singer acknowledges the listener as a friend and proceeds to talk about their present misfortunes.


Your flowers are withering
The things that you cared for are slowly losing their beauty and value.


Your mother's gone missing
Someone important to you has suddenly disappeared and you have no idea where they are.


Your leaves have drifted away
Things used to be different and better, but now they have moved on and you're stuck.


But the clouds are clearing up
Despite the difficulties, things are improving and the future looks brighter.


And I've come reveling
The singer is celebrating the improvement and the chance to be happy again.


Burning incandescently
The happiness is intense and passionate, like a bright flame.


Like a bastard on the burning sea
The passionate feeling is so intense that it's like being lost at sea, unable to control the burning sensation.


You're just like your father
The listener is similar to their father, possibly taking after him in a negative way.


Buried deep under the water
Just like the father, the listener is struggling with something buried deep inside them.


Your resting on your laurels
The listener is not actively trying to improve themselves and is coasting on past achievements.


Is stepping on my toes
The listener's lack of effort is affecting the artist in a negative way and hindering progress.


Whose side are you on?
The singer questions the listener's loyalty and commitment to their relationship.


What side is this anyway?
The singer is confused about the nature and direction of their relationship and what it means for them.


Put down your sword and crown
The singer asks the listener to let go of their defenses and pride and come closer.


Come lay with me on the ground
The artist wants the listener to be vulnerable and intimate with them, connecting emotionally.


You come beating like moth's wings
The listener's presence is overwhelming and erratic, like a moth fluttering around.


Spastic and violently
The intense feelings are uncontrolled and extreme, almost overwhelming.


Whipping me into a storm
The listener's actions are stirring up strong emotions in the singer, like a turbulent storm.


Shaking me down to the core
The listener's impact is so strong that it's affecting the artist's very essence and identity.


But you run away from me
Despite the intense connection, the listener is scared and avoids getting too close.


And you left me shimmering
The listener's sudden departure left the artist feeling confused and dazzled.


Like diamond wedding rings
The feeling is overwhelming and powerful, like the brightness and value of a diamond wedding ring.


Spinning dizzily down on the floor
The emotional impact is so intense that it's disorienting and dizzying, almost like collapsing on the floor.


You're drifting like a fire
The listener's actions and emotions are still strong but less controlled and focused, like a flickering flame.


You're pressing on your laurel
The listener is still not making enough effort and relying on past accomplishments.


Is stepping on my toes
The listener's lack of effort is still hindering the singer's progress and causing discomfort.


Whose side are you on?
The artist repeats the question, wondering where the listener's loyalties truly lie.


What side is this anyway?
The artist is still unsure about what the nature and direction of their relationship is and what it means for them.


Put down your sword and crown
The singer repeats the request, still asking the listener to be vulnerable and more present.


Come lay with me on the ground.
The singer repeats the offer, still wanting the listener to connect on a deeper level.




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: MICHAEL ANGELAKOS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@thefalcaste

Dear friend as you know
Your flowers are withering
Your mother's gone missing
Your leaves have drifted away
But the clouds are clearing up
And I've come reveling
Burning incandescently
Like a bastard on the burning sea
You're just like your father
Buried deep under the water
Your resting on your laurels
Is stepping on my toes
Whose side are you on?
What side is this anyway?
Put down your sword and crown
Come lay with me on the ground
You come beating like moth's wings
Spastic and violently
Whipping me into a storm
Shaking me down to the core
But you run away from me
And you left me shimmering
Like diamond wedding rings
Spinning dizzily down on the floor
You're drifting like a fire
Buried deep under the water
You're pressing on your laurel
Is stepping on my toes
Whose side are you on?
What side is this anyway?
Put down your sword and crown
Come lay with me on the ground.
Come lay with me on the ground.



All comments from YouTube:

@maraphernalia

Not sure why this was reuploaded, but seeing a notification pop up on my phone for one of my absolute favorite songs was a really wonderful surprise after the extremely shitty day I've had. It gave me the smile I desperately needed, thank you.

@mexidraw

maraphernalia 10th anniversary of Manners and its tour

@welcometomynightmare1819

Ahh yes, FIFA 10. The memories just flow through my head with so much emotion because it brings me back to a time where I had less responsibilities and problems. Now almost 30 years old this hits hard with nostalgia.

@vh99_

This song feels like a comforting hug in hard times ... 😅

@ZoeyTheSobble

Underrated song
Underrated band. 💚🙏

@ResistEvolve

This is one of my favorite albums of all-time. Wasn't aware they are underrated?

@neilsmith9066

@@ResistEvolve they should have over 500 million hits. This band means a lot

@ResistEvolve

@@neilsmith9066 Did Pavement have 500 million hits?!!

@joannemazurek9075

I had no intention of watching the movie "Wonder", but I did and not only liked the movie but was introduced to this song.
Double Blessing.

@ilovejesusandgod115

For sure

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