To Hurry Things Along

Song Meaning

The lyrics paint a picture of profound weariness and a struggle against an overwhelming sense of meaninglessness. The narrator wakes up trying to face the day with optimism, but admits, "I suppose I'm not so strong." This immediately sets a tone of vulnerability and resignation. The act of smoking becomes a ritual, a way "to hurry things along," suggesting a desire to fast-forward through the mundane or painful present rather than actively engage with it. This isn't about enjoying a vice; it's about seeking an escape from the perceived pointlessness of existence. The core tension lies in the narrator's confrontation with monotony and the apparent lack of purpose. They describe "pretending there are purposes / Behind the things that don't belong," highlighting a disconnect between outward appearance and inner reality. The lyrics directly challenge conventional wisdom about time, stating, "I guess I think that they are wrong" about it being precious or something to fight for. Instead, the narrator sees a chaotic, unplanned existence, a "train" that cannot be stopped and no "super guiding hand" directing it. A striking element is the shift in perspective when a "she" enters the narrative, described as coming "in tears" and having her "death inside a song." This personal tragedy seems to amplify the narrator's existential dread. The recurring image of smoking to "hurry things along" takes on a darker hue, now linked to processing grief and a desire to reach an end point, perhaps even oblivion. The lyrics suggest that while death might be random, the narrator's coping mechanism is to accelerate towards it, finding solace not in life's continuation but in its potential cessation. Ultimately, the effectiveness of these lyrics stems from their unflinching portrayal of despair and the subtle, yet powerful, way the simple act of smoking is reframed. It's not a casual habit but a desperate attempt to outrun the emptiness, to bypass the struggle of finding meaning in a world that feels chaotic and indifferent. The repetition of "hurry things along" underscores a profound lack of agency and a yearning for an end to the perceived futility, making the narrator's resignation palpable and deeply affecting.