The line-up of Jim Cushnie (tenor sax), Ricky Estrada (vocals/ guitar), Dav… Read Full Bio ↴The line-up of Jim Cushnie (tenor sax), Ricky Estrada (vocals/ guitar), David Ferreria (bass/ vocals), Richard Ferreria (trombone), and Dennis Leipert (drums) is otherwise known as Pushover. Featuring ex-members of Mealticket, this North Hills, CA, five-piece follows along the same lines of their previous band: horn-fueled ska-punk with an added back drop of indie pop. Asian Man Records eventually debuted the band's self-titled first album in 1998. Logic and Loss followed two years later. ~ Mike DaRonco, All Music Guide

Softly
Pushover Lyrics

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All that I had
All gets mixed up in my head
Alone every night
I've been locked up by myself
Far away from you

All rested while my shoes are off to dream
I feel tested while I walk along the seam

Don't be frightened when I yell at you softly
Startled when I hear my life's insanity

Pictures of you
Still right beside my bed
Cannot wonder why
I don't have permission to
Taken my mind, too
All the things can go wrong
When you don't get very far

Cause I don't like you
When you're feeling down on yourself

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Softly by Pushover convey themes of confusion, loneliness, and inner turmoil. The singer is caught in a state of mental disarray, with all the different aspects of their life blending together in their head. The pain of distance is a recurring motif, with the singer speaking of being alone every night and feeling far away from someone they love. The lyrics also talk about feeling like they are being tested, with their sanity being questioned. This might suggest that the singer is going through a difficult time, possibly struggling with mental health issues.

The lyrics to Softly also touch on themes of loss and regret. The singer talks about pictures of someone who is very important to them being beside their bed, but feeling like they don't have permission to think about this person. This might suggest a loss of a relationship or a break-up, which is causing the singer a great deal of pain. There is also a sense of self-loathing and dissatisfaction with the self, with the singer saying they don't like themselves when they are feeling down.

Overall, the lyrics to Softly are a poignant exploration of the complicated and messy nature of the human experience. The song suggests that even when we are at our most vulnerable and confused, there is still beauty and tenderness to be found.

Line by Line Meaning

All that I had
My possessions and experiences

All gets mixed up in my head
Are jumbled and confused in my mind

Alone every night
I spend my nights by myself

I've been locked up by myself
I isolate myself from others

Far away from you
Geographically separated from you

All rested while my shoes are off to dream
I feel calm and relaxed as I prepare to sleep

I feel tested while I walk along the seam
I feel challenged and uncertain as I navigate the edge of something

Don't be frightened when I yell at you softly
My tone may be forceful, but I mean no harm

Startled when I hear my life's insanity
I am surprised by the craziness of my own thoughts and actions

Pictures of you
Images of you

Still right beside my bed
Are still positioned next to my bed