Asleep At The Wheel
Shortstraw Lyrics

The lyrics of Shortstraw's song "Asleep at the Wheel" paint a picture of someone who is feeling completely disconnected from reality and overwhelmed by the chaos in their life. The repetition of the lines "Asleep at the wheel, I sleep at my desk, this can't be real, my life's a mess" emphasizes the singer's disbelief and frustration with the state of their existence.

The phrase "asleep at the wheel" typically refers to someone who is figuratively asleep or unaware while in control of a vehicle, suggesting a lack of attention or care. In this context, it symbolizes the singer's disengagement from the world and their own life. The mention of sleeping at their desk suggests a dissociation from work and the responsibilities that come with it.

The lyrics also suggest that the singer has been blinded to a situation or a person that has had a powerful hold on them. The lines "It took me so long, took me so long to see, you've got this hold on, you've got this hold on me" reveal a gradual realization of being trapped or influenced by someone or something. The repeated reference to a "last road" further implies that this hold feels like the sole path the singer can take.

The song then takes a turn into self-deprecation, as the singer claims to be a "moron" and refers to themselves as a "Moronic SOP" (a play on words, possibly meaning "Standard Operating Procedure"). This suggests that they view themselves as foolish and incapable, adding to the overall sense of despair and helplessness conveyed in the lyrics.

Overall, "Asleep at the Wheel" dives into the internal struggles, disconnection from reality, and frustration of someone who feels trapped and lost in life. It expresses a deep longing for something more fulfilling, as well as a profound sense of resignation to the current state of affairs.