2. The Story So Far were a Chicago punk rock band that formed in 1999 and split up in the mid-2000s. Made up of former members of 88 Fingers Louie, King for a Day and Tomorrow's Gone, the band released their debut EP in 2000 on Hopeless Records.
Placeholder
The Story So Far Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Wandering too close will get you nowhere fast
I'm looking for an option that won't involve you at all
Some help to hoist my sail off of its mast
And its haunting me, but I feel fine
War of worlds in real time
Better off signing a truce that's drawn up in your name
Were wrong for the stress you put me through
Free me from the anchor
Depart these seas and let me do what I have to do
Am I so wrong to think that you are too?
Is it safe to be a pawn
When all the rooks close in on you
I used to be afraid of time before I grew
The sands will slip and the pain will grip
And the guilt will trip all over you
And its haunting me, but I feel fine
War of worlds in real time
Better off signing a truce that's drawn up in your name
But I hope you go home and admit you
Were wrong for the stress you put me through
Free me from the anchor
Depart these seas and let me do what I have to do
Running around in circles
The path I always choose
I hate that I can't accept anything more
Than the worn out soles of my shoes
Just say something back
And cut me some slack
Headstrong in the world
With the wind at my back.
x2
The Story So Far's song Placeholder is a powerful and emotional piece about the complexities of relationships and the importance of taking control of one's own life. The first verse sets the tone, with the singer declaring that they are closed off and seeking a way to move forward without the other person involved. They resent being held down by this other person and the stress that they've caused, and long to be free to make their own decisions and live their own life.
The chorus is a contradictory mix of emotions, with the singer acknowledging the pain and turmoil caused by the end of the relationship but also insisting that they are fine and able to move on. The second and third verses continue this theme, addressing the fear of being used and manipulated by others ("Is it safe to be a pawn / When all the rooks close in on you") and the internal struggle to accept change and move forward with growth and maturity.
Ultimately, Placeholder is a song about taking ownership of one's own life and decisions, even in the face of difficult relationships and situations. The singer is determined to break free and move forward, even if the journey is painful and difficult.
Line by Line Meaning
This body's closed until further notice
I am closed off to you and any interactions with you, and I will remain so until further notice.
Wandering too close will get you nowhere fast
If you come too close to me, it will not lead to anything productive or positive.
I'm looking for an option that won't involve you at all
I am actively seeking a solution that does not involve you in any way.
Some help to hoist my sail off of its mast
I am in need of assistance to move forward in my life and get past this current obstacle.
And its haunting me, but I feel fine
Although this situation is upsetting to me, I am pretending to be okay with it.
War of worlds in real time
This conflict between us is intense and feels like it is happening in real time.
Better off signing a truce that's drawn up in your name
It would be better for us to come to a mutual agreement to resolve this, and I am willing to do so as long as it is fair for both parties.
But I hope you go home and admit you were wrong for the stress you put me through
I hope that you acknowledge the pain and stress you have caused me and take responsibility for your actions.
Free me from the anchor
I want to be free from the weight of this situation and move on from it.
Depart these seas and let me do what I have to do
Leave me to handle my own affairs without your interference.
Am I so wrong to think that you are too?
Is it unfair for me to assume that you are also at fault in this situation?
Is it safe to be a pawn when all the rooks close in on you
Is it wise to continue to play a passive role in this situation when there are others who are actively trying to take advantage of me?
I used to be afraid of time before I grew
In the past, I would have been fearful of the amount of time it would take to resolve this situation, but I have grown and am now better equipped to handle it.
The sands will slip and the pain will grip and the guilt will trip all over you
Time will pass, and the pain and guilt of your actions will catch up to you.
Running around in circles, the path I always choose
I am stuck in a pattern of behavior that always leads me back to this point.
I hate that I can't accept anything more than the worn out soles of my shoes
I am uncomfortable with the fact that I am not able to move on from this situation and am stuck with what I have.
Just say something back and cut me some slack
Please respond to me and try to understand my point of view.
Headstrong in the world with the wind at my back.
I am determined to move forward and take control of my life, even if it means facing the wind head-on.
Contributed by Colin N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@GivesProps
This body's closed until further notice
Wandering too close will get you nowhere fast
I'm looking for an option that won't involve you at all
Some help to hoist my sail off of its mast
And its haunting me, but I feel fine
War of worlds in real time
Better off signing a truce that's drawn up in your name
But I hope you go home and admit you
Were wrong for the stress you put me through
Free me from the anchor
Depart these seas and let me do what I have to do
Am I so wrong to think that you are too?
Is it safe to be a pawn
When all the rooks close in on you
I used to be afraid of time before I grew
The sands will slip and the pain will grip
And the guilt will trip all over you
And its haunting me, but I feel fine
War of worlds in real time
Better off signing a truce that's drawn up in your name
But I hope you go home and admit you
Were wrong for the stress you put me through
Free me from the anchor
Depart these seas and let me do what I have to do
Running around in circles
The path I always choose
I hate that I can't accept anything more
Than the worn out soles of my shoes
Just say something back
And cut me some slack
Headstrong in the world
With the wind at my back.
[x2]
@heatherdurds
every single song they've written has the best lyrics, i swear
@pocketgirl222
I agree, Heather. :3
@Pulsaur
I literally cannot like that comment enough .-.
@clintkackson36
Heather Doman I totally agree!
@cxssetteman182
@Heather In my language, your surname means Two Minds
@joelsephification
Fuck yes dude like
@DasKulThomas
i found my girlfriend ending up in someone else's bed when she had to be there for me, i forgave her, but i couldn't trust her anymore. she said she'd do anything to help me get over it but i found no option but to leave, realised i deserve better. she never helped me get over it, this song did. ♥
@ExplainYourselfEli
i hope you are doing good after all these years.
@tacticalpause3767
11 years now, how you doing my man?
@BABU-xt2nm
111¹11¹1¹¹