Meath’s powerful voice is front and center, unjoined by fellow harmonizers as it is in her folk group, Mountain Man. Sanborn, who plays bass in the genre-destroying Megafaun, creates intricate, pulsing grooves for Meath’s voice to inhabit.
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Slack Jaw
Sylvan Esso Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I've got everything I need
Sometimes I'm above water
But mostly I'm at sea
Oh, slack jawed me
Can't you see?
There's so many rhythms and harmonies
It's not like I got hurt or broken
Or ruined on the way
It's an ache and it shines through me
A swallow in a cage
Oh, slack jawed me
Can't you see?
There's so many rhythms and harmonies
And I'm walking the dog back
Is it a sign? Or just a landmine?
Or a feeling roaming free?
It's overtaken me
Gonna hold it 'til it dries up
Or pocket it for another day
If it's me I cannot give up
I'd rather that she stayed
Oh, slack jawed me
Can't you see?
There's so many rhythms and harmonies
And I'm walking the dog back
I got all the parts I've wished for
I got everything I need
Sometimes I'm above water
But mostly I'm at sea
Oh, slack jawed me
Can't you see?
There's so many rhythms and harmonies
And I'm walking the dog back
Sylvan Esso's "Slack Jaw" speaks to the feeling of being lost, even when everything seems to be going right. The song starts off with the singer claiming to have everything they've ever wished for, but goes on to admit that they still feel like they're treading water. The line "sometimes I'm above water, but mostly I'm at sea" perfectly encapsulates this feeling. The harmonies and rhythms that the singer talks about demonstrate the beauty and complexity of life, but also how hard it can be to navigate.
The chorus of "slack jawed me, can't you see?" is a plea for someone to understand the turmoil that the singer is experiencing. They're both amazed by life's beauty, yet lost in its complexity. The verses of the song continue to explore this theme of feeling lost, but without any particular reason. It's not like the singer has been "hurt or broken," but rather they carry an ache that they can't define. The metaphor of the swallow in a cage hints at the sense of confinement that the singer feels.
The final lines of the song show the singer's determination to keep going, even if it means carrying this ache within them. They refer to this feeling as something that might "dry up" or be "pocketed for another day." The singer can't give up because they "would rather that she stayed." This is a powerful message of resilience, reminding us that even when we feel lost, we need to hold on to hope.
Line by Line Meaning
I got all the parts I wished for
I have acquired all of the things that I desired
I've got everything I need
I possess all of the things that are necessary for my well-being
Sometimes I'm above water
Occasionally, I am in a comfortable or stable position
But mostly I'm at sea
However, most of the time, I feel lost or uncertain, like being at sea
Oh, slack jawed me
I express astonishment or bewilderment through my facial expression
Can't you see?
Do you not notice what I am experiencing or feeling?
There's so many rhythms and harmonies
There are a multitude of patterns and combinations of sounds
And I'm walking the dog back
I am trying to unwind or regain composure by taking a walk with my dog
It's not like I got hurt or broken
I did not experience any physical damage or destruction
Or ruined on the way
Or suffer any permanent damage or failure during my journey
It's an ache and it shines through me
It is a persistent pain that is evident or noticeable to others
A swallow in a cage
A feeling of being trapped or confined, like a bird in a cage
Is it a sign? Or just a landmine?
I am unsure if this feeling is a warning or a potential danger
Or a feeling roaming free?
Or is it just a fleeting emotion that's wandering aimlessly?
It's overtaken me
It has consumed me and I am unable to escape it
Gonna hold it 'til it dries up
I will endure this feeling until it subsides on its own
Or pocket it for another day
Or I will save it for later until I can process it better
If it's me I cannot give up
If this feeling is a part of who I am, I cannot abandon it
I'd rather that she stayed
I would prefer to keep this feeling, even if it causes me discomfort, rather than lose it completely
Oh, slack jawed me
I am still in awe or confused about my emotions
Can't you see?
Don't you understand what I'm going through right now?
There's so many rhythms and harmonies
There are many intricate patterns in my thoughts and emotions
And I'm walking the dog back
I am using my time walking my dog to try and sort out my emotions
Lyrics © Hipgnosis Songs Group
Written by: Amelia Randall Meath, Nicholas Christen Sanborn
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@lmll7232
I got all the parts I wished for
I've got everything I need
Sometimes I'm above water
But mostly I'm at sea
Oh, slack jawed me
Can't you see?
There's so many rhythms and harmonies
And I'm walking the dog back
It's not like I got hurt or broken
Or ruined on the way
It's an ache and it shines through me
A swallow in a cage
Oh, slack jawed me
Can't you see?
There's so many rhythms and harmonies
And I'm walking the dog back
Is it a sign? Or just a landmine?
Or a feeling roaming free?
It's overtaken me
Gonna hold it 'til it dries up
Or pocket it for another day
If it's me I cannot give up
I'd rather that she stayed
Oh, slack jawed me
Can't you see?
There's so many rhythms and harmonies
And I'm walking the dog back
I got all the parts I've wished for
I got everything I need
Sometimes I'm above water
But mostly I'm at sea
Oh, slack jawed me
Can't you see?
There's so many rhythms and harmonies
And I'm walking the dog back
@elizao.4011
I don't understand how this song is so sad but so incredibly healing, calming, and peaceful at the same time.
@jonessaetienne590
it's just like life :)
@christina-kd1dp
this song breaks my heart in such a comfortable way. lowers you down and holds you there. I love it.
@hem1790
Yep, this is exactly the description. <3
@aaronlay4119
Well said. You nailed it.
@daniellepaynter3940
Perfect. It lowers you down and holds you there
@jimmycolville400
The most wonderful description. You're absolutely right. This version tears me apart - and I know it will every time - yet I can never help coming back to it, because it's it's one of the most beautiful things I've ever heard. I loved the album version but this just elevates it to another level.
@Kendojin
I always think of the same thing when I hear this song:
You're out walking the dog at 4AM. Snow covers the ground. It deadens the ambience of the city you live in, as if you're miles away from everything, while simultaneously giving your hometown a quiet and eerie glow, due to the snow's soft reflectivity.
You stop at a bench to enjoy it. Take it all in. Everything feels connected, and at peace, for once. The smell of chimneys, tires on the road from distant traffic, wind rustling the icy leaves of trees. It hits you all at once. Strong enough to make an impression, but doesn't leave you scarred or radically transformed.
It's cold. And you're walking the dog back.
@jwalandapariyar1551
i have never seen anyone explain this feeling this well. 🖒
@brianagnatzy2981
This comment made my heart drop