Always

Song Meaning

The lyrics paint a picture of someone clinging to a past that's definitively over. The imagery of "droning chords and distant bells" paired with "empty shells" suggests a somber, perhaps mournful, atmosphere. The repeated phrase "Holding on tight onto a dead sky" is a powerful metaphor for refusing to accept reality, grasping at something that offers no life or future. This sense of stasis is further emphasized by "nomadic moves across a lawn," which implies movement without progress, a circular, unproductive path. The central tension arises from the directive to "Turn a deaf ear." This action is presented as a choice, both in ignoring external voices ("no matter what they might say") and in actively "pushing you further away." The relentless repetition of "Always" in the chorus, juxtaposed with the act of pushing someone away, creates a disorienting effect. It suggests a stubborn, perhaps self-destructive, commitment to this state of denial and separation, even as it leads to further isolation. The most striking aspect of the craft is the stark contrast between the internal insistence on "Always" and the external reality implied by "dead sky" and "empty shells." The "droning chords and distant bells" could represent lingering memories or societal expectations, which the narrator chooses to ignore. The interlude's "To-do-to" sounds almost like a percussive, detached affirmation, a rhythmic mantra reinforcing the commitment to this unyielding stance. It’s a deliberate, almost mechanical, repetition that underscores the lack of genuine emotional engagement with the present. This lyrical construction is effective because it captures a specific, painful kind of emotional paralysis. The writing doesn't offer easy answers or a clear narrative arc; instead, it immerses the listener in the feeling of being stuck. The insistent "Always" becomes less a declaration of loyalty and more a testament to an inability to let go, making the listener feel the weight of this persistent, unmoving state.