Traces
The Unwinding Hours Lyrics

The lyrics to The Unwinding Hours' song Traces are quite introspective and are centered around one person expressing their lingering emotions for another individual. The author refers to themselves as a "lucky man," and they want the person they are singing to know that they are stuck in their head, and the singer can't seem to shake them off. The repeated phrase, "I wake up wanting you," shows that these feelings are not just temporary crush or infatuation, but deep-seated and persistent.

The second verse paints a sensual image of the person the singer is longing for. The cracked, dry lips are a physical trait that is both visually and emotionally suggestive, as these traces leave a pronounced effect on the singer, who is drawn back to this person every morning. The lyrics convey the feeling of being hypnotized by someone's presence to the point of fixation, where there is no escape. The vivid imagery of watching the movements of the person in the darkened room further underlines the idea of being spellbound, wherein all the colors the person could name are flowing out of them.

The final verse brings in a sense of emotionality and perhaps regret. The singer addresses the person they want so badly, asking them not to be afraid, as they are only trying to express their feelings. The author is glad that the person they are singing to stayed, and perhaps there is a recognition that the relationship could have gone in any other direction, but they are grateful things turned out the way they did.