The Future

Song Meaning

These lyrics open with a stark image of inertia: a "struggle to begin, killing time again." The narrator appears trapped in a cycle of procrastination, finding a strange comfort in the "hermetic ritual" of their isolated routine. Yet, the core message quickly emerges, defining "The future is learning to wait around / For things you didn't know you wanted to wait for." It's a profound, almost Zen-like reorientation of expectation. The tension between modern life's instant gratification and the slow, inevitable passage of time drives much of the narrative. Phrases like "promise of the apps versus time elapsed" highlight this digital-age dilemma, where perceived progress often feels like a diminishing return. The lyrics suggest a weariness with this cycle, noting that "All returns diminish us and we ain't growing back," implying a sense of irreversible loss or stagnation. What makes these lyrics particularly sharp is their self-aware irony. The narrator admits to wanting to "Dignify distractions," acknowledging how these diversions only serve to "beautif[y] the mess" of unaddressed tasks. This candidness grounds the abstract idea of waiting in a relatable, human experience, making the repeated chorus less a resignation and more a conscious, difficult choice to embrace uncertainty. Ultimately, the lyrics pivot from individual struggle to a reliance on shared humanity. The plea to a "treasured friend" — "your love I must depend / On you and your humanity" — offers a crucial anchor. This shift suggests that while the future demands patience for the unknown, it's through connection with others that we find the strength to navigate that waiting, even when "we can't see all ends."