Phosphorescent is the solo project of American musician and songwriter Matt… Read Full Bio ↴Phosphorescent is the solo project of American musician and songwriter Matthew Houck (born 1980 in Alabama). Houck began recording and performing under this nom de plume in 2001 in Athens, Georgia, USA. He is currently based in Brooklyn, New York.

Before recording under the name Phosphorescent, Houck traveled the world playing under the moniker Fillup Shack and, in 2000, self-released a limited pressing of the album "Hipolit". In 2001 Houck changed his recording name to Phosphorescent, and, in 2003, released the full-length album "A Hundred Times or More". Interestingly, in the liner notes of the album, Fillup Shack is credited with the drum recordings. The following year, he released the EP "The Weight of Flight".

Phosphorescent rose to wider critical acclaim after releasing "Aw Come Aw Wry" in August 2005 and "Pride" in October 2007. The latter was named the 12th best album of 2007 by Stylus Magazine and received a 8.0 rating from indie website Pitchfork Media. In 2009, inspired by Willie Nelson's tribute album to Lefty Frizzell entitled "To Lefty From Willie", Houck crafted a tribute album to Nelson himself entitled "To Willie" which was released through Dead Oceans. Phosphorescent released "Here's to Taking It Easy" in 2010 and "Muchacho" in 2013.

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Walkin'
Phosphorescent Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

After carefully considerin' the whole situation
Then I stand with my back to the wall
Walkin' is better than runnin' away
And crawlin' ain't no good at all

So if guilty is the question and truth is the answer
Well I've been lyin' to me all alone
Cause there ain't nothin' worth savin' except for one another

So before you wake up I'll be gone

After carefully considerin' the whole situation
I stand with my back to the wall
Walkin' is better than runnin' away
And crawlin' ain't no good at all

So after carefully considerin' the whole situation
I stand with my back to the wall
Walkin' is better than runnin' away
And crawlin' ain't no good at all

No crawlin' ain't no good at all
No crawlin' ain't no good at all

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to "Walkin'" by Phosphorescent seem to be about facing a difficult situation and making a conscious decision to keep moving forward, even if it means walking away from something or someone. The singer acknowledges that they have been lying to themselves, but realizes that the only thing worth saving is human connection. They recognize that crawling or giving up is not a viable option and that walking, as in continuing to try and make progress, is the better choice.

The lines "Walkin' is better than runnin' away and crawlin' ain't no good at all" could be interpreted as a commentary on the idea of facing one's problems head-on instead of trying to escape them or simply giving up entirely. The line "So before you wake up I'll be gone" could suggest that the singer is leaving a relationship or situation while the other person is still asleep, in order to avoid confrontation or further difficulties.

The repetition of the chorus, with slight variations, adds to the weight of the decision being made by the singer. The slow, steady pace of the melody, coupled with the mournful harmonica and melancholic vocals, further emphasize the sense of difficult but necessary action being taken.

Overall, "Walkin'" is a powerful and contemplative song about facing tough choices and recognizing the importance of human connection and perseverance.

Line by Line Meaning

After carefully considerin' the whole situation
After thorough contemplation of the circumstances

Then I stand with my back to the wall
I face my challenges head-on

Walkin' is better than runnin' away
Confronting problems and proceeding step by step is preferable to fleeing

And crawlin' ain't no good at all
Submitting to defeat is not an option

So if guilty is the question and truth is the answer
If the matter at hand concerns finding fault and being honest

Well I've been lyin' to me all alone
I have been deceiving myself

Cause there ain't nothin' worth savin' except for one another
There is nothing of value worth preserving other than human connection

So before you wake up I'll be gone
I will depart before you realize it

No crawlin' ain't no good at all
Reiterating that surrendering or giving up is not an option

Contributed by Natalie E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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