A Slow Descent
Straylight Run Lyrics


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i'm tired
cynical and broken, but wiser
heavy with a sense of resentment
but i used to be so much different
i used to have so much faith
when i started
you knew that i always meant it
i knew i could make a difference
i struggled to be heard
and then finally, one day people started listening
and i knew it
but as soon as it began it was ruined
a slow descent from unique to routine
over and over
"just do it again and this time with feeling"
the spotlight
the focus on the friends and the feelings
that made those stupid songs all worth singing
and don't you say a word
unless you're pretty sure that you want it analyzed
so we drove
for what seemed like days
over roads
and four lane highways
we said all we had to say
and i realized in time that it didn't mean anything

never
not ever again...




not like that
"it's only a matter of time"

Overall Meaning

In "A Slow Descent," Straylight Run delves into the experience of losing oneself in the journey of pursuing a passion, and how success can inadvertently lead to disillusionment. The singer, who is tired, broken, and cynical, reveals that they used to have faith in their abilities and became successful, but soon realized that their passion had turned into a routine, losing the unique essence it once had. The lines, "a slow descent from unique to routine, over and over," imply that the singer has been through this process before and has realized that the journey that once filled them with excitement and inspiration has turned into a mundane process of repetition.


This is evident in the line, "just do it again and this time with feeling," where the singer is asked to recreate their initial success with the same fervor as before. The spotlight, which is on the friends and the feelings associated with success, loses its shine, and the passion that was once all worth singing about, now seems to hold no meaning. The singer and their companions drive aimlessly, trying to recreate the same energy that they once had, but in the end, they realize that it was all for nothing.


Overall, "A Slow Descent" explores themes of the downside of chasing success, the disillusionment that comes with career expectations and repetitive processes, and the loss of passion in pursuing one's craft.


Line by Line Meaning

i'm tired
I'm exhausted, physically and emotionally.


cynical and broken, but wiser
I've become jaded and damaged from my experiences, but I've gained some knowledge and insight along the way.


heavy with a sense of resentment
I feel bitter and resentful towards certain people or situations in my life.


but i used to be so much different
I've undergone a change from a previous state or version of myself.


i used to have so much faith
I used to be more optimistic and hopeful about life.


when i started
At the beginning of my journey or experience.


you knew that i always meant it
The people closest to me recognized my sincerity and dedication.


i knew i could make a difference
I had a sense of purpose and believed I could positively influence the world.


i struggled to be heard
I found it difficult to have my voice and ideas recognized or acknowledged.


and then finally, one day people started listening
After persistently trying to make my voice heard, I finally gained a following and recognition.


and i knew it
I was aware of the shift and the newfound attention I was receiving.


but as soon as it began it was ruined
As soon as I gained recognition, something happened that made it all fall apart and destroyed the positive momentum I had built.


a slow descent from unique to routine
My work or idea gradually lost its originality and became ordinary or predictable.


over and over
Repeatedly, continuously.


"just do it again and this time with feeling"
The pressure to recreate my previous success, but with more passion and intensity.


the spotlight
The attention and focus of others on me and my work.


the focus on the friends and the feelings
The emphasis on the personal connections and emotions behind my work.


that made those stupid songs all worth singing
The meaningfulness of my work only came from my personal connections and emotions, despite it being dismissed as trivial or meaningless by others.


and don't you say a word
A warning to not speak up or speak negatively about my work or ideas, unless absolutely certain.


unless you're pretty sure that you want it analyzed
Even if you do speak up or critique, be prepared for it to be analyzed and scrutinized in detail.


so we drove
We traveled or escaped from our current situation or environment.


for what seemed like days
We were on the road for an extended period of time, making it seem like an eternity.


over roads
We traveled on highways or streets.


and four lane highways
We traveled on major, multilane roads.


we said all we had to say
We communicated everything that needed to be said or expressed.


and i realized in time that it didn't mean anything
In hindsight, the communication and situation did not hold any real significance or impact in the long run.


never
Not ever, under any circumstances.


not ever again...
Never again, for sure.


not like that
Not in the same way or under the same circumstances as before.


"it's only a matter of time"
It's inevitably going to happen at some point in the future, whether good or bad.




Contributed by Isabella N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Comments from YouTube:

Bearsbearsbears

2022 needs some more Straylight.

Danton Steele

this is nicest duet ive heard as an adult

Chris Pr

Just exploring your albums. You guys make great music.

ed yokasta

Masterpieceee.

Marcus aka the commonwealth coldly

I’ll call post Malone and retire forever because I’ll be real with you I can’t exactly if I’m a third wife some day I can’t just let ryland in a house I can’t but if …. We’ll if one day day “Ethan” and “hila” disagreed with letting ryland in I guess I wouldn’t let him in I’m watching the time dimension I’ll find a link and I’m sorry about that I’m just a man Edit found the link https://youtu.be/pejXeHWUigg shoutout to those who experienced it live and shoutout Garrett watts not affiliated with Garrett watts edit green on blue *

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