Restless
samfire Lyrics
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You wanna keep me tied
Fresh out the institution
Now it's time I provide
Anxious on the inside, concealing wounded pride
A victim of expectations
I don't want to realise
'Cause I'm restless
How don't you get this?
When you've been here before, green and wanting to explore it all
It makes me restless
But responsibility's another chapter for me
So claim the page
Wipe it clean
And illustrate
With anything
Now, staring in the mirror at the lines across my face
Hoping that a sun hat will chase the age away
But boasting with my tight clothes and knowing that I'm safe
That I've still got lots of time and that it's never too late
Kids out on the grass and poppin' bottles in the park
Lazing in a sun trap only waking when it's dark
I guess we could try harder but delusion is our gold
It's the medal for a champion whose never growing old
And we're restless
Our roots don't stretch so low and we're reluctant to grow
How don't you get this
When you've been here before, green and wanting to explore it all
It makes us restless
But responsibility's another chapter for me
So claim the page
Wipe it clean
And illustrate
With anything
So I let myself loose
Clinging on with all my youth
No opportunity refused
No need for an excuse to be
Out cold
Waiting for a taxi but not going home
Be bold
'Cause I'm scared, I'm scared of getting old
The lyrics of Samfire's song "Restless" explore the theme of growing up and taking on responsibilities while also feeling restless and unwilling to settle. The song opens with the singer lamenting being held back and tied down, but also acknowledges their anxiety and wounded pride. They seem to be struggling with society's expectations and the pressure to mature and settle down. However, the singer is resisting this, feeling like their roots don't stretch low enough and they are reluctant to grow. They describe a feeling of wanting to explore and not wanting to realize the reality of responsibility.
The second half of the song has a more hopeful tone, with the singer claiming their own page and wiping it clean. They acknowledge that responsibility is another chapter for them, but encourage themselves and the listener to illustrate that chapter our own way. The song shifts to a group mentality, describing others who are also restless but cling to delusion as a way to avoid growing old. Despite this, the singer encourages themselves and others to let themselves loose, to be bold, and reject excuses for living life to the fullest.
Overall, the song draws attention to the tension between the desire to explore and be free, and the pressure to grow up and settle down. It acknowledges these conflicting feelings and encourages listeners to chart their own course, claiming their page and illustrating it with anything.
Line by Line Meaning
You think, I haven't tried
I have tried and put in the effort, but you don't seem to acknowledge it.
You wanna keep me tied
You want to restrict me and not let me grow.
Fresh out the institution
I have recently been released from a place of confinement.
Now it's time I provide
I need to start fulfilling my responsibilities now.
Anxious on the inside, concealing wounded pride
I am feeling anxious and insecure, but I am hiding it from others.
A victim of expectations
I am feeling pressured to meet the expectations of others.
I don't want to realise
I don't want to accept the reality of my situation.
'Cause I'm restless
I am feeling restless and unsettled.
My roots don't stretch so low and I'm reluctant to grow
I am not rooted deeply and I am hesitant to mature or change.
How don't you get this?
How do you not understand my perspective?
When you've been here before, green and wanting to explore it all
You have been in a similar situation before, where you were young and eager to explore everything.
It makes me restless
It makes me feel even more restless and dissatisfied.
But responsibility's another chapter for me
I know I need to start taking responsibility for my actions and decisions.
So claim the page
I need to take control and make a change.
Wipe it clean
I need to start fresh and leave the past behind.
And illustrate
And express myself and my ideas.
With anything
Using any means necessary.
Now, staring in the mirror at the lines across my face
Reflecting on my age and the passing of time.
Hoping that a sun hat will chase the age away
I am hoping that I can disguise my age or slow down the aging process.
But boasting with my tight clothes and knowing that I'm safe
I am bragging about my appearance and feeling secure in my youthfulness.
That I've still got lots of time and that it's never too late
I still believe I have a lot of time to achieve my goals, and that it's never too late to start.
Kids out on the grass and poppin' bottles in the park
Others are enjoying their youth and having fun, while I am struggling to find my place.
Lazing in a sun trap only waking when it's dark
Others are living carefree lives, only waking up when it's time to party.
I guess we could try harder but delusion is our gold
We know we could do better, but we prefer to live in a state of denial and hold onto false beliefs.
It's the medal for a champion whose never growing old
We see our delusion as a prize or achievement for staying young forever.
And we're restless
We are feeling restless and unsatisfied with our current situation.
Our roots don't stretch so low and we're reluctant to grow
We are not rooted deeply and we are hesitant to change or mature.
But responsibility's another chapter for me
We know we need to start taking responsibility for our actions and decisions.
So claim the page
We need to take control and make a change.
Wipe it clean
We need to start fresh and leave the past behind.
And illustrate
And express ourselves and our ideas.
With anything
Using any means necessary.
So I let myself loose
I am letting myself be free and take risks.
Clinging on with all my youth
I am holding onto my youth and trying to cling onto it.
No opportunity refused
I am willing to try anything and not pass up any opportunities.
No need for an excuse to be
I don't need to justify or explain myself.
Out cold
I am feeling numb or disconnected from my emotions.
Waiting for a taxi but not going home
I am unsure of where I am headed or what my next steps will be.
Be bold
I need to be brave and take risks.
'Cause I'm scared, I'm scared of getting old
I am scared of aging and losing my youthfulness.
Lyrics © DistroKid
Written by: Phoebe Mallinson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind