Design the Road
The Strive Lyrics
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A bitter taste and the truth will follow
I claim it's not my issue
But I'd be the first to fix you
When the liquid confidence makes you stumble
If I design the road
Would it be enough to bring you home
Tales told by broken mirrors
Like snakes we shed our skin
Forget the scars from where we've been
I'm terrified to know how much your blood runs through my veins?? -(If we were the same?)
If I design the road
Would it be enough to bring you home
Your visions been so hazy lately
I'm your skin and bone
If I design the road
Then I could save us both
Save us both
Save us both
Save us both
If I design the road
Would it be enough to bring you home
Your visions been so hazy lately
I'm your skin and bone
If I design the road
Then I could save us both
Save us both
In "Design the Road", The Strive delves into a theme of responsibility and accountability for the people around us. The lyrics suggest that alcohol is present as it talks about the "liquid confidence" that leads to stumbling. The opening lines, "What's left at the bottom of the bottle/A bitter taste and the truth will follow" convey the aftermath of drinking and the truth that comes with it. Despite claiming that it's not their issue, the singer is the first to fix those who are affected.
The chorus, "If I design the road/Would it be enough to bring you home" is a rhetorical question that highlights the idea of designing a path that is safe and leads to recovery. The idea here is to help the person who is struggling, and the question is whether a new design would be enough to bring them home. As the song progresses, the themes of "broken mirrors" and "forget(ting) the scars from where we've been" further points to the idea of trying to break toxic cycles that are detrimental to one's mental health.
The song ends on the idea of saving each other, with "If I design the road/Then I could save us both/Save us both" suggesting that designing a new, safer path can ultimately lead to saving ourselves and those around us. The Strive in "Design the Road" has managed to capture the essence of responsibility, accountability and hope in just a few lines.
Line by Line Meaning
Whats left at the bottom of the bottle
What remains at the end of a drinking session
A bitter taste and the truth will follow
The unpleasant residue of one's actions often reveals the honesty of their character
I claim it's not my issue
I deny responsibility for a problem
But I'd be the first to fix you
Despite my initial rejection, I care enough to help you overcome your struggles
When the liquid confidence makes you stumble
The effects of alcohol, which provide temporary confidence, can ultimately lead to mistakes
If I design the road
Would it be enough to bring you home
If I create a path for us to follow, will it lead us to safety and stability?
Tales told by broken mirrors
Misleading stories from unreliable sources
Your vacant expression confirms my fears
Your empty gaze reveals that my worries are valid
Like snakes we shed our skin
Similar to the shedding of snake skin, people can transform and grow over time
Forget the scars from where we've been
We should leave behind the painful memories of our past experiences
I'm terrified to know how much your blood runs through my veins?? -(If we were the same?)
I am afraid to consider how closely I am related to you, both literally and metaphorically
Your visions been so hazy lately
You are struggling to see clearly and make decisions with confidence
I'm your skin and bone
I am the physical embodiment of your support system and strength
Then I could save us both
If I can take charge of our situation and find a solution, we could both benefit
Save us both
Save us both
Save us both
Save us both
Repeatedly expressing a desire to rescue ourselves from hardship
Contributed by Miles Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.