Song Meaning
Curtis Stigers' "As Usual" isn't just a song; it's a masterclass in the art of emotional avoidance. The track paints a vivid, almost painfully relatable picture of two people caught in a loop of familiar behaviors, using routine as a shield against confronting something deeper. The opening lines, "As usual, I'll be a little late / As usual, you'll pretend you didn't have to wait," immediately establish this dynamic, highlighting the comfortable, yet ultimately unsatisfying, predictability of their interactions. Stigers isn't exploring the thrill of new love, but rather the quiet ache of a connection that's settled into a well-worn groove, perhaps to its detriment. The song meaning lies in this unspoken tension.
The genius of "As Usual" rests in its subtle details. The lyrics, such as "we'll dance around the history we have," suggest a shared past laden with complexity, a history they're adept at navigating without ever truly acknowledging. It's a dance of deflection, where laughter and gossip serve as elaborate distractions from the core issues simmering beneath the surface. The "bittersweet" meeting of past and present hints at a longing for what once was, juxtaposed with the resignation of what is. The pre-chorus, with its mutual excuses of being busy, further underscores the conscious effort to maintain distance.
But it's the chorus of "As Usual" where the emotional core truly solidifies. The "awkward pause" speaks volumes, representing the chasm that exists between them despite their practiced familiarity. They are "so far away," even in each other's presence, their communication faltering, "a sentence trailing off." This isn't a story of animosity, but one of gentle resignation. The final hug and goodbye are not filled with warmth, but with the quiet understanding that this carefully constructed routine will continue, unchanged. Stigers captures the essence of relationships that exist in a state of perpetual near-miss, forever orbiting each other without ever truly colliding. This poignant exploration of unspoken feelings makes "As Usual" a compelling, and quietly devastating, listen.