I Don't Want To Do This Anymore
Pile Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

I can hear the barking of dogs surrounding their bed
I hear the release and then silence
And then I pretend to sleep
I'd rather on the ground than in your bed
I'll sleep on the ground or stay up instead

There's a deep well that seems mostly empty
I stand at its edge and stare down helplessly

Then I pretend to be alone
I'd rather on the ground than in your bed




I'll sleep on the lawn or stay up instead
Stink and sweat and moan and dream of new air

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to "I Don't Want to Do This Anymore" by Pile are haunting and evoke a sense of melancholy. The song tells the story of someone who is struggling in a relationship and is torn between staying and leaving. The first verse describes a situation where the dogs are barking and then there's a sudden release and silence. This could represent a metaphor for a fight between partners that leads to emotional exhaustion and even a temporary truce. The singer then pretends to sleep because they don't want to confront the situation. They would rather be on the ground than in the bed with their partner. This could represent a desire for separation or a rejection of intimacy in the relationship.


The next verse describes a deep well that seems mostly empty, and the singer stares helplessly at its bottom. This could be a metaphor for the emptiness they feel in the relationship, and the sense of being stuck with no way out. They then pretend to be alone because they feel that they cannot connect with their partner. The last lines of the song talk about sleeping on the ground or staying up instead of being in the bed with their partner. This could represent a desire for independence or a need to be away from the difficulties in the relationship.


Overall, the song speaks to the complex nature of intimate relationships and the internal struggle that can come with them. It conveys a sense of vulnerability and desperation that many people may relate to when facing relationship problems.


Line by Line Meaning

I can hear the barking of dogs surrounding their bed
The sounds of chaos and distress are present in the space where others seek rest and comfort.


I hear the release and then silence
There is a sense of relief followed by a haunting stillness.


And then I pretend to sleep
The only escape is to pretend and retreat into a world of one's own mind.


I'd rather on the ground than in your bed
The physical proximity to another brings discomfort and discomfort outweighs the benefits of closeness.


I'll sleep on the ground or stay up instead
The alternative to forced intimacy is finding solitude or staying awake, despite the cost to one's body and mind.


There's a deep well that seems mostly empty
There is a void within, a place of great depth that feels unfulfilled and lacking.


I stand at its edge and stare down helplessly
Despite noticing the emptiness, the individual remains stuck in their position, unable to fill the void.


Then I pretend to be alone
In order to cope with the sense of aloneness, they deliberately create an illusionary sense of solitude.


Stink and sweat and moan and dream of new air
The only release is through the physical manifestation of discomfort, along with the yearning for a different reality.




Contributed by Joshua D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

BDE

Closest I've got to the lyrics after innumerable headphone listens:

At 3am and hold day away

Weight for the bones til they break

Push and scratch my eyes

Til its on tv again

And they turn it on again

Slumbering, why, my only God

I'm on my knees and I'm just holding on

I perceive no heaven on the horizon

And your eyes.



Dillon

Not 100% sure but I think it might be -

At 3 every morning
They wake with a bruise on their brain
Push and scratch their eyes
Til it's all old TVs again
And they’re tired of it
Floating above my own body now
Among the leaves that now just hold me down
(I think I'm empty but I'll get back in somehow)



All comments from YouTube:

Nico Lobos

i can't express how beautiful this song is, thank you for everything rick

Painted Battletoads

Fantastic work from Rick as always, but the cinematography really elevates it. Can't wait for the full album

aaa aaa

what a legendary performance.

Dillon

Incredible work. Had this on repeat all week.

Mike Tomlinson

Rick! We need more of this!!!
I can’t stop watching!!! 😍

Disgruntled Fan

What a beautiful song. Thank you for this

ok_logan

Love this song so much. Got me through the summer. Please keep making music

Plane Joe

Really lovely, and very well executed. Cheers : )

S D

What a beautiful song! I discovered it on Spotify. Hope you come to Germany soon!

Wessel van der Spek

Amazing! Had no idea this was a one man one take performance.

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