Slow Song
Sleater-Kinney Lyrics

The opening lines of Sleater-Kinney's "Slow Song" capture the disappointment of a conversation that didn't go as planned. The singer "heard what [the other person] said" but it "wasn't so nice" as they had thought it would be. The repetition of this phrase conveys a sense of frustration and perhaps even disbelief. The singer then expresses a desire to leave, to "go / If [they] had a way." There is a sense of urgency to this desire, as the singer is "running for [their] life." It becomes clear that the other person's words have had a profound effect on the singer. They are "running from those eyes," a metaphor that suggests the weight of the other person's gaze or judgment. Despite this, there is a recognition that "it doesn't work that way / It didn't work today." The singer's attempts to escape or find a way out have not been successful.

The second verse shifts tone, with the singer expressing a deep sadness. They are "feeling so down / That [they] could go run into a tree / Or run into the street." This imagery is particularly striking, as it suggests a desire for self-destruction. The repetition of "run" adds to the sense of desperation. Again, the singer recalls the day when they heard the hurtful words that are still affecting them. They "saw you go" and are once again "running for [their] life," with the same sense of urgency as in the first verse. The repetition of "if it feels that way / 'Cause it doesn't work that way / It didn't work today" reinforces the idea that the singer is trapped and unable to escape their thoughts and feelings.

Overall, "Slow Song" is a poignant exploration of the aftermath of a hurtful conversation. The repetition of certain phrases reinforces the sense of frustration and desperation, while the metaphor of "running for [their] life" adds a sense of urgency and danger.