Tightrope
Venn Smyth Lyrics
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And it sits and waits until you’ve left
And it hurts, and it stings
But I know the sun has set on this
Oh I, here I go again
Oh hi, hello old friend
I start and stall behind your back
And in this silent scream
I dream of how I will attack
Oh I, here I go again
Oh hi, hello old friend
Listen to me go
High low, high low, tightrope
Watching me go
High low, high low, let it go
Careless on this tightrope
Breathless, helpless, vertigo
But I must confess, I can’t hide
I tap my toe upon the line
And it’s shame, and it’s pride
You caught my ego in its prime
Oh I, here I go again
Oh hi, hello old friend
Listen to me go
High low, high low, tightrope
Watching me go
High low, high low, let it go
Careless on this tightrope
Breathless, helpless, vertigo
Listen to me go
High low, high low, high low
I can’t stop your world from falling
Even though I try
Feels like running, feels like crawling
What happens if we fly?
Listen to me go
High low, high low, tightrope
Watching me go
High low, high low, let it go
Careless on this tightrope
Breathless, helpless, vertigo
Listen to me go
High low, high low, high low
The lyrics to Venn Smyth's song "Tightrope" convey a sense of emotional struggle and vulnerability. The opening lines, "There’s a loneliness that you bring / And it sits and waits until you’ve left / And it hurts, and it stings / But I know the sun has set on this," suggest that the singer is grappling with a feeling of loneliness that is triggered by someone else's presence. This loneliness is painful but also fleeting, as the sun sets on the situation, indicating a resolution or finality.
Throughout the song, there is a juxtaposition between two conflicting emotions: tenderness and aggression. The lines, "There’s a tenderness that I lack / I start and stall behind your back / And in this silent scream / I dream of how I will attack," reveal the singer's inability to express tenderness or vulnerability in their relationship. Instead, they envision acting aggressively or assertively but remain silent about their true feelings.
The chorus, with its repetition of "Listen to me go / High low, high low, tightrope / Watching me go / High low, high low, let it go," captures the sentiment of being on a tightrope, symbolizing the delicate balance between emotions and actions. The singer feels as if they are walking a tightrope, unsure of how to navigate their feelings and uncertain about the consequences of their choices.
The bridge section brings out a sense of desperation and uncertainty. The lines, "I can’t stop your world from falling / Even though I try / Feels like running, feels like crawling / What happens if we fly?" express the singer's acknowledgment that they cannot control or prevent someone else's pain or problems, regardless of their efforts. They question the potential outcomes of taking risks and wonder if it is worth it to push boundaries and explore new possibilities.
Overall, "Tightrope" explores the complexities of relationships, the struggle between vulnerability and aggression, and the difficult choices we face when it comes to expressing our true selves.
Line by Line Meaning
There’s a loneliness that you bring
Your presence brings a sense of loneliness
And it sits and waits until you’ve left
The feeling of loneliness lingers even after you're gone
And it hurts, and it stings
The loneliness is painful and distressing
But I know the sun has set on this
I am aware that this loneliness will eventually fade away
Oh I, here I go again
I find myself falling into the same patterns
Oh hi, hello old friend
I am familiar with the feeling of loneliness
There’s a tenderness that I lack
I struggle to show or feel tenderness
I start and stall behind your back
I hesitate and struggle to express myself when you're not around
And in this silent scream
Internally, I am screaming out for connection
I dream of how I will attack
In my imagination, I envision myself confronting and overcoming these challenges
Listen to me go
Pay attention to my actions
High low, high low, tightrope
I am living a life of ups and downs, walking a precarious tightrope
Watching me go
Observing my journey
High low, high low, let it go
Accepting the highs and lows, letting go of control
Careless on this tightrope
Navigating life without concern or worry
Breathless, helpless, vertigo
Feeling overwhelmed, powerless, and dizzy
I must confess, I can’t hide
I admit that I cannot conceal my true feelings
I tap my toe upon the line
I test the boundaries and push my limits
And it’s shame, and it’s pride
I experience both shame and pride
You caught my ego in its prime
You exposed and confronted my ego when it was at its strongest
I can’t stop your world from falling
I cannot prevent your life from experiencing difficulties
Even though I try
Despite my efforts to help
Feels like running, feels like crawling
It feels like we are struggling and making slow progress
What happens if we fly?
What would happen if we take a leap of faith and embrace change?
Lyrics © O/B/O DistroKid
Written by: Patrick Sizemore, Schyler Smith
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind