Long Way Down
Travis(트래비스) Lyrics
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Above the two tone town
And it's no funny when you're stuck in the middle
I'm coming up for air
I could be anywhere
It makes no difference when you live in a puddle
Now that I see it
And not on my sleeve
Better run little rabbit
Back to your hole in the ground
It's a long way down
It's a long way down
The people look so small
Sliding off the wall
Getting dizzy as they fall in the gutter
I watch the seagull
Swooping past the steeple
Crying for his dinner as he shits on the sinners
Now that I see it
How can I breathe when my heart's in my mouth
Instead of my sleeve
Better run little rabbit
Back to your hole in the ground
It's a long way down
It's a long way down
Mama
An eye for an eye
You'd say you'd never take a side
Papa
I'm too young to die
They'll never take me
They'll never take me alive
They're never taking me alive
They're never taking me alive
The lyrics of Travis's song Long Way Down describe a feeling of being stuck in a difficult situation, feeling disconnected from the rest of the world, and feeling like you're drowning in a small, confined space. The opening lines suggest that being above the two-tone town only emphasizes the distance and the journey that has to be undertaken to come down. There is a sense of paranoia and feeling trapped in the lyrics, as the singer feels like there's no escape from their current predicament.
The second verse shifts the focus onto society and the people around the singer, describing how small and powerless they seem in the grand scheme of things. The seagull flying past the steeple could be seen as a metaphor for freedom, as it can soar and fly effortlessly. Meanwhile, the people are getting dizzy and falling into the gutter, emphasizing their lack of control and the chaotic nature of existence.
The chorus intensifies the feeling of being trapped, with the heart in the mouth rather than on the sleeve. The rabbit in the ground highlights the instincts to hide or take cover, shut the eyes on the real world and retract back into one's own shell of the earth. The song ends with a phrase that echoes the feelings of the song as a whole: they're never taking me alive. It is a statement to not let others control the singer's life, even if feeling stuck or helpless.
Line by Line Meaning
It's a long way down
The descent is far and potentially dangerous
Above the two tone town
Above the colorful, yet divided city
And it's no funny when you're stuck in the middle
There is nothing amusing when you are caught between two sides
I'm coming up for air
I'm trying to escape a suffocating situation
I could be anywhere
My current physical location is insignificant
It makes no difference when you live in a puddle
Living in an impoverished or stagnant environment makes any location feel the same
Now that I see it
I have gained new perspective
How can I breathe when my heart's in my mouth
It's hard to stay calm in a stressful or emotional situation
And not on my sleeve
I'm trying to maintain emotional composure instead of displaying my vulnerability openly
Better run little rabbit
You should flee if you sense danger
Back to your hole in the ground
Return to safety or retreat
The people look so small
Individuals appear insignificant from a great height
Sliding off the wall
Descent is precarious and potentially fatal
Getting dizzy as they fall in the gutter
The fall is disorienting and leads to an undesirable location
I watch the seagull
I observe the natural world amidst the chaos of humanity
Swooping past the steeple
A bird of prey glides past a church tower
Crying for his dinner as he shits on the sinners
The seagull scavenges and defecates on those who have fallen below it
Mama
Addressing a maternal figure
An eye for an eye
Seeking retribution for harm caused
You'd say you'd never take a side
Claiming neutrality in conflict
Papa
Addressing a paternal figure
I'm too young to die
Asserting that one is not ready for death
They'll never take me
Refusing to surrender to those who seek to harm or control
They'll never take me alive
Prepared to fight to the death or resist capture
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: FRANCIS HEALY, DOUGLAS PAYNE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Ace
this track is like their first album just multiplied by 100000000000000
Horrible Mutton Chops
Way to step their game up. *drools over new album*
Laura Ramos
This song reminds me of David Bowie, The Beatles and Blur at the same time...
Chantal Hatfield
I totally freaked out when he yelled. 1:30
Ace
i don't really like this song but they don't suck ur buggin kid