Although Phathom is no longer making music, their legacy lives on, and their music continues to be enjoyed by fans around the world. The band released three full-length albums - a self-titled debut in 2006, Zombie Love in 2007 and The New Piracy in 2011 - and three EPs, including Destroy the World Before Bedtime in 2002, The Halo Effect in 2003, and Tunnel Vision in 2007.
Phathom stayed true to their independent roots and believed in a DIY philosophy, never receiving major label support. They toured with popular acts such as Avenged Sevenfold, Strung Out, No Use For a Name, Unwritten Law, and Authority Zero, and participated in the Vans Warped Tour from 2006 to 2008. Even though the band members have moved on, their music remains a testament to their passion and talent.
Moving Slowly
Phathom Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Im stuck in the tar pits
Its these midnight smiles
Theyre all around me
Im waiting for fuel
Oh bleak castle view
Please bring me back to where I left off
Oh no Im moving slowly
Oh no Im moving slowly
Now
And so we make our way through towns that found their way
Its time to say goodbye
My cell its far away
Onward Im finally moving
Onward Im finally moving
To my next destination
Crystallized engine failure
It all makes me sick
They frown upon my fall
It all makes me sick
The song "Moving Slowly" by Phathom gives us a glimpse into the emotional struggle of the singer who has crashed and burned. The song starts with the singer feeling trapped in the tar pits, which is a metaphorical representation of the emotional struggles he is currently facing. The midnight smiles, which surround him, portray the singer's desperate attempt to cling to the happy moments despite being stuck in a difficult situation. Therefore, the singer is looking for a way to get himself out of this situation and move on. He is waiting for some sort of motivation that can fuel him up and help him get back on his feet.
The following lyrics "Oh no, I'm moving slowly" shows the singer's realization that he is not making enough progress to overcome his struggles. These lyrics repeat twice, emphasizing the feeling of hopelessness and how the singer feels he is not moving fast enough. The song continues with the singer saying goodbye to his past and his old cell, hinting toward a new beginning. The singer is finally moving forward but acknowledges that the journey will be tough.
In the end, the singer talks about the failure of the engine, which is another metaphor for his own failure. The singer is disillusioned, and he feels that people are now looking down upon him due to his failure. Overall, the song "Moving Slowly" by Phathom describes the feeling of being stuck and the struggle to move forward during difficult times.
Line by Line Meaning
Ive crashed and Ive burned
I have experienced failure and disaster.
Im stuck in the tar pits
I feel trapped and unable to move forward.
Its these midnight smiles
I am haunted by memories of happier times.
Theyre all around me
I can't escape these memories, they surround me.
Im waiting for fuel
I am waiting for something to give me energy and motivation.
Oh bleak castle view
I am surrounded by a bleak and dreary landscape.
Please bring me back to where I left off
I want to return to a time when things were better.
Oh no Im moving slowly
I am not making progress as quickly as I would like.
Onward Im finally moving
I am making progress and moving forward.
To my next destination
I am moving towards my future goals.
Crystallized engine failure
My failure is now permanent and unchangeable.
It all makes me sick
My past failures and mistakes make me feel physically ill.
They frown upon my fall
Others judge and look down on me for my mistakes and failures.
Contributed by Elizabeth H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.