Coma
The Moderates Lyrics

The Moderates' song "Coma" describes a feeling of being lost and disconnected from one's own life. The singer longs for a hero to come and rescue them from their state of confusion, but realizes that the real work of saving themselves belongs to them alone. The lyrics suggest that each day is a new opportunity for the singer to reawaken and take control of their life.

The opening lines establish the singer's need for a hero, but also acknowledge that there are limits to what any hero can do. If the singer's life is already in a comatose state, a hero cannot simply swoop in and fix everything. The "first breath" that the singer needs to take in order to wake up is something only they can do for themselves. This is echoed in the refrain of "don't know where I'm going but I know that my feet are firm to the ground," suggesting that the singer is taking ownership of their unknown path and refusing to be swept away by outside forces.

The second half of the song describes the singer waking up after several years have passed and realizing that many things have changed, but not necessarily for the better. The hopefulness of a new president and a cure for cancer is tempered by the realization that the economy is still struggling, reminding the listener that progress is complex and often comes with trade-offs. The internet being faster is both a nod to technological advancement and a commentary on the frenetic pace of modern life. Despite all of this, the singer remains resolved to never go back to their previously comatose state, implying that they have finally found a sense of purpose and direction.

Overall, "Coma" is a reflective and introspective song about finding one's way back to consciousness and taking control of one's life. It acknowledges the difficulties of waking up from a figurative coma, but ultimately empowers the listener to take charge of their own trajectory.