10 SPEED
laundry day Lyrics
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So how you gonna tell me
Mediocre range
Singing to myself on my ten speed
I don't know
I don't know how to calm myself down
Sleepin' fully clothed, sleepin' fully clothed
And I don't know
I don't know how to find my way out
It's a little cold, it's a little cold
In November, I guess I'm thankful
I like to say that I'm fine,
When really I'm not alright I say that too often
Like a dull spotlight used to shine
Now I'm losing my polish
And these Hanes socks getting wet in
The grass Guess they gon' dry on the flight
When I look back at the work I amassed
Wish I could stay one more night
I could still see my old house
With the swing set in the front lawn
My chain broke in the park once
Shoutout Andrew and my grandma
And I miss them, but it's ok
I'm grown now, take it way back
They gon' turn around and ask me
Hey boy, how'd you buy that?
I don't want to say
So how you gonna tell me
Mediocre range
Singing to myself on my ten speed
Check, please
I've been working hard to get six feet
16 and 5'8 not enough to please me
Jesus hasn't seen me
People that I wanna meet
People that I want to be
"But be yourself" excuse me
If I like wearing scarves then I'm allowed to bring it
If I like how he looks then I'm allowed to think it
I show up smiling even if I am not styling
Legs look a little wide no matter what I am rocking
But I am not stopping, I am not stopping, no
On my ten speed no
On my ten-
People that I want to be
"But be yourself" excuse me
I don't know
I don't know how to calm myself down
Sleepin' fully clothed, sleepin' fully clothed
It's October, so it's my costume
And I don't know
I don't know how to find my way out
It's a little cold, it's a little cold
In November, I guess I'm thankful
I'm so scared of dyin'
Got too many plans inside my mind
Just to sleep
Deprived of everything I'd get if I survived
You can't make a sound buried underground
Can you hear me now coming to you now live in the clouds?
Can you hear me now?
You can't spend your life lookin' for their eyes
You can't trust their sight everybody lies
You can't trust the wind with your flimsy kite
You can't say goodbye less it starts to fly
Guess it's finally time
The song "10 SPEED" by Laundry Day explores themes of uncertainty, self-doubt, and growing up. The opening lines "I don't want to say, so how you gonna tell me, mediocre range, singing to myself on my ten speed" suggest a reluctance to express oneself vocally in fear of not being good enough. The reference to the ten-speed bike implies a sense of isolation, as the singer rides alone, singing to themselves. The lines "I don't know how to calm myself down, sleeping fully clothed" indicate a feeling of discomfort and anxiety, and the costumes of October and the chill of November reflect the changing seasons and the passing of time.
The chorus continues the theme of self-doubt, as the singer says they like to pretend they're fine when they're not, and that they're losing their polish. The reference to wet socks and drying them on a flight suggests a sense of transience and a desire to escape from one's current situation. The nostalgic memories of the old house and the swing set evoke a longing for the past and a nostalgia for childhood, underscored by the reference to the chain breaking in the park and the shoutout to Andrew and the singer's grandmother. The line "They gon' turn around and ask me, hey boy, how'd you buy that?" suggests a desire for success and a recognition of the hard work necessary to achieve it.
The second verse features a shift in tone, as the singer declares their independence and their right to be who they are. The lines "If I like wearing scarves then I'm allowed to bring it, if I like how he looks then I'm allowed to think it" indicate a defiance of societal norms and a refusal to be boxed in. The repetition of "People that I want to be, but be yourself, excuse me" underscores the tension between fitting in and being true to oneself. The final lines "I'm so scared of dyin', got too many plans inside my mind, just to sleep, deprived of everything I'd get if I survived" suggest a fear of not achieving one's goals and a sense of urgency to live fully.
Line by Line Meaning
I don't want to say
I am hiding my true thoughts and feelings
So how you gonna tell me
You cannot understand me if I do not communicate openly
Mediocre range
My abilities are average or unremarkable
Singing to myself on my ten speed
I find solace in my own company while riding my bicycle
I don't know
I am uncertain and lack confidence
I don't know how to calm myself down
I struggle with managing my emotions
Sleepin' fully clothed, sleepin' fully clothed
I am anxious and feel the need to be prepared at all times, even while sleeping
It's October, so it's my costume
I use clothing to conceal my true self and present a different image
And I don't know
I lack knowledge or understanding
I don't know how to find my way out
I am lost and do not know how to escape my current situation
It's a little cold, it's a little cold
My environment is uncomfortable and unwelcoming
In November, I guess I'm thankful
Despite my struggles, I am trying to find gratitude in my life
I like to say that I'm fine
I put on a facade of being okay when I am not
When really I'm not alright I say that too often
I am not honest with myself or others about my mental and emotional state
Like a dull spotlight used to shine
I am losing my former brightness or spark
Now I'm losing my polish
I am becoming rough around the edges and less refined
And these Hanes socks getting wet in
My ordinary and unremarkable possessions are becoming ruined
The grass Guess they gon' dry on the flight
I am trying to make the best of a bad situation
When I look back at the work I amassed
I reflect on what I have achieved or accomplished
Wish I could stay one more night
I long for more time to work towards my goals
I could still see my old house
I have memories and nostalgia for my past
With the swing set in the front lawn
My childhood is characterized by simple joys and happy memories
My chain broke in the park once
I experienced disappointment or failure in my past experiences
Shoutout Andrew and my grandma
I am acknowledging and appreciating important people in my past
And I miss them, but it's ok
I feel sadness at their absence, but am learning to accept it
I'm grown now, take it way back
I am reflecting on my maturity and how far I have come
They gon' turn around and ask me
Others will wonder how I have changed or grown
Hey boy, how'd you buy that?
Others will be surprised by or curious about my success
Check, please
I am ending a conversation or interaction in a straightforward way
I've been working hard to get six feet
I have been striving for success or recognition
16 and 5'8 not enough to please me
I am unsatisfied with physical traits that I cannot change
Jesus hasn't seen me
I do not feel seen or recognized by others or religion
People that I wanna meet
I have goals or aspirations to meet specific people
People that I want to be
I am striving to emulate specific traits or qualities in others
"But be yourself" excuse me
I am questioning the value of being true to oneself
If I like wearing scarves then I'm allowed to bring it
I am learning to accept and express my individuality
If I like how he looks then I'm allowed to think it
I am not seeking external validation for my preferences or opinions
I show up smiling even if I am not styling
I am trying to project positivity and confidence even when I am not feeling my best
Legs look a little wide no matter what I am rocking
I am learning to accept my body and appearance, regardless of societal norms or expectations
But I am not stopping, I am not stopping, no
I am determined to persevere and continue moving forward
On my ten speed no
I find comfort and freedom in riding my bike
I'm so scared of dyin'
I am afraid of my mortality
Got too many plans inside my mind
I have aspirations and ideas for my future
Just to sleep
I am struggling to find rest or peace of mind
Deprived of everything I'd get if I survived
I am aware of the potential and opportunities in my life, but am struggling to reach them
You can't make a sound buried underground
Once I am gone, I will no longer have control or agency over my life
Can you hear me now coming to you now live in the clouds?
I am seeking validation or recognition from a higher power or afterlife
You can't spend your life lookin' for their eyes
I am learning to prioritize my own goals and aspirations over the opinions or approval of others
You can't trust their sight everybody lies
I am skeptical of others' intentions and honesty
You can't trust the wind with your flimsy kite
I am cautious and selective in who and what I place my trust in
You can't say goodbye less it starts to fly
I realize that saying goodbye or letting go of the past is painful, but necessary for growth
Guess it's finally time
I am acknowledging and accepting the need for change and progress
Contributed by Landon K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.