Throughout most if not all of the song, Jelani sings through vocal filters that give his voice a lot of grain.
"I wrote this song around the time when George Floyd was killed, there were wildfires everywhere, and it genuinely felt like the world was coming to an end. It was a chaotic time and everything felt like it was in flux. I think that made me want to escape reality a bit.
It’s been a goal of mine to make a video for each single on the album. With ‘From These Heights’ we wanted to put emphasis on the lyrics and capture its feeling with an intense performance-based video. To achieve that [director Will Noyce] really just kept it as simple as possible, with the majority of shots being just me delivering the message confined to a draped room. It’s designed so you have no option but to feel the weight of the words—I’m literally saying it to your face." - via Flood
From These Heights
jelani aryeh Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'll always find some way to drown and weigh you down
There's no one out here
I'm searching for the furthest flight away from here
And I'm a stranger in this country
Where the city sounds have died
There was a time when you were a child and could smile acres wide
But it's a battle inside
I've never felt so far from something in my life
To fall from these heights
I need somewhere to sеttle down and find my feet
You go from being so intact to broken in a blink
I'll diе trying to pry my way inside that private mind
But violence is all you'll find in here
Landmines and lightning strikes
Countless riots, wildfires
This heart wants to retire, and in their eyes you seem alright
But that's a lie
'Cause it's a battle inside
I've never felt so far from something in my life
To fall from these heights
I need somewhere to settle down and find my feet
You go from being so intact to broken in a blink
But it's a battle inside
I've never felt so far from something in my life
To fall from these heights
But it's a battle inside
I've never felt so far from something in my life
To fall from these heights
I need somewhere to settle down and find my feet
You go from being so intact to broken in a blink
"From These Heights" by Jelani Aryeh is an introspective song about the struggle of feeling lost, both in oneself and in a relationship. The first verse sets the tone by expressing the artist's feelings of being lost at sea, unable to escape from the weight of his own struggles. He is far from anyone who could help him, seeking the furthest possible escape from his problems. We then see a shift to a nostalgic moment, a time when the person he is addressing was able to smile acres wide. This sets up a contrasting image of the present moment, where he is feeling like he is battling to hold on to that happiness.
The second verse takes a turn towards an internal battle, showing how the artist's mental state is affecting the relationship. He wants to understand the thoughts and feelings of the person he loves, but the violence in their mind is blocking his way. While they may seem alright to others, he knows that this is just a facade. In the chorus, he repeats his need to settle down and find his footing, reflecting on how quickly things can change from being intact to being broken. The phrase "fall from these heights" can be interpreted as a metaphor for the emotional highs and lows of a relationship, where we can feel on top of the world one moment and then come crashing down the next.
Overall, "From These Heights" is a poignant reflection on the struggles of mental and emotional health and how they affect our relationships. The artist's vulnerability in expressing his deepest insecurities is what gives the song its power.
Line by Line Meaning
So lost, my dear
I feel lost and overwhelmed and it's affecting you too.
I'll always find some way to drown and weigh you down
I may try to cope with my struggles in unhealthy ways that negatively impact our relationship.
There's no one out here
I feel isolated and alone in my struggles.
I'm searching for the furthest flight away from here
I'm trying to escape from my problems by running away and seeking distance.
And I'm a stranger in this country
I feel like I don't belong in my own life and surroundings.
Where the city sounds have died
I feel like I'm in a desolate and empty place with no life or vibrancy.
There was a time when you were a child and could smile acres wide
I remember a time when you were happy and carefree, and I wish we could go back to that.
But it's a battle inside
I'm struggling internally and it's taking a toll on me.
I've never felt so far from something in my life
I feel like I'm distant from my goals and aspirations.
To fall from these heights
It's difficult to come down from a high point or success.
I need somewhere to settle down and find my feet
I need stability and security in my life to regain my footing.
You go from being so intact to broken in a blink
Things can change suddenly and unexpectedly, and it's overwhelming.
I'll die trying to pry my way inside that private mind
I'm desperate to understand and connect with someone who keeps their thoughts and emotions hidden.
But violence is all you'll find in here
The person I'm trying to connect with may only respond with anger or aggression.
Landmines and lightning strikes
Navigating this person's emotions and reactions is like walking through a minefield or being struck by lightning.
Countless riots, wildfires
The situation feels chaotic and out of control, like a riot or wildfire spreading rapidly.
This heart wants to retire, and in their eyes you seem alright
I'm exhausted and just want to give up, but the other person doesn't seem to understand or care.
But that's a lie
The other person's impression of me and the situation is incorrect or incomplete.
Writer(s): Alex John Craig, Jelani Aryeh Mccall, John Evans Kolbe
Contributed by Blake H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@wanameerulazizi7368
found this song on snapchat.
So lost, my dear
I'll always find some way to drown and weigh you down
There's no one out here
I'm searching for the furthest flight away from here
And I'm a stranger in this country
Where the city sounds have died
There was a time when you were a child and could smile acres wide
But it's a battle inside
I've never felt so far from something in my life
To fall from these heights
I need somewhere to sеttle down and find my feet
You go from being so intact to broken in a blink
I'll diе trying to pry my way inside that private mind
But violence is all you'll find in here
Landmines and lightning strikes
Countless riots, wildfires
This heart wants to retire, and in their eyes you seem alright
But that's a lie
'Cause it's a battle inside
I've never felt so far from something in my life
To fall from these heights
I need somewhere to settle down and find my feet
You go from being so intact to broken in a blink
But it's a battle inside
I've never felt so far from something in my life
To fall from these heights
But it's a battle inside
I've never felt so far from something in my life
To fall from these heights
I need somewhere to settle down and find my feet
You go from being so intact to broken in a blink
@kiabjj
I can already see the summer memories made to this song <3
@KiloCharlieOne
Drove to Charleston, SC and on the way back this played a couple times. Damn near perfect weekend ended with a great drive and a song like this playing on SiriusXMU.
@legendgamer676
Your time will come Jelani, just keep pushing and you’ll get the break you so rightly deserve! I’ll be listening the whole way!
@aleenaneena6084
the song is fire but the music video??? i got chills during the breakdown with just the drums part aaaaaahhh so good so good
@paulkuhns2175
If this song isn’t in fifa 22 we have failed
@gavind276
Thank you for making a song that can capture what I've been going through, both in lyrics and the counter balance beat.
@gjm1203
This is a hidden gem
@audreyyyy
I love it. really underrated it needs to be a hit
@dashkharmon479
he makes the most ethereal, dreamy songs! ✨
@zandre007
Howcome this is not in top 10 all billboards?