Untangling

Song Meaning

The narrator grapples with a past self they didn't want to be, admitting a deep-seated fear of change and pain. This internal conflict is framed by a cycle of wanting to avoid hurting others, stemming from their own slow healing process. The lyrics paint a picture of someone actively shedding an old identity, one that was shaped by a desire to fit in and avoid discomfort. This shedding isn't easy; it's described as a "riot" and a painful process of "untangling." The core tension lies in the narrator's realization that their own past pain and fear directly led to hurting someone else. The repeated phrase "I didn't want pain, I was afraid" underscores this self-inflicted cycle. This admission is crucial, as it shifts the focus from external circumstances to internal responsibility. The act of "untangling" becomes a metaphor for separating oneself from a toxic dynamic or codependent relationship, acknowledging that this separation is a necessary, albeit difficult, step toward personal growth and self-preservation. The most striking craft element is the persistent repetition of "I am untangling you from my centre." This refrain, especially amplified in the bridge and post-chorus, emphasizes the deliberate and ongoing nature of this separation. It’s not a sudden break but a meticulous, almost surgical, removal of another person's influence from the narrator's core being. The bridge’s repeated mantra, "Go angel, it's okay, sometimes things are gonna feel this way," offers a self-soothing, almost spiritual, acceptance of the discomfort inherent in this process, suggesting a hard-won peace. Ultimately, these lyrics resonate because they articulate the messy, often painful, reality of personal growth and the difficult choices it entails. The narrator’s journey from fear and avoidance to self-acceptance and deliberate separation is powerfully conveyed through stark admissions and insistent refrains. The song captures that moment when the desire to "stay the same" is finally overcome by the need to heal, even if that healing involves dismantling deeply ingrained patterns and relationships.