Ruby

Song Meaning

The speaker in "Ruby" grapples with hidden unwellness, smiling through a "steaming night" to "downplay this my failing." They actively try to "bury all" of another's distress, suggesting a profound self-sacrifice. This difficult reality pushes them to seek refuge, hoping that "dreams begin to fall." The central tension here lies between the speaker's waking struggle and their intense yearning for a specific escape. The lyrics suggest dreams are not just passive rest but a conscious effort, a space where the speaker can "wander free" and encounter "thee." This dream world offers a profound sense of liberation from their physical and emotional burdens. The repeated refrain, "The color of my dreams, they would be you...ruby," anchors the entire piece, making "Ruby" the ultimate object of this dream-state desire. The startling line, "Make you not you not you not you but me," reveals an almost obsessive longing for complete fusion or transformation, suggesting a desire to absorb or become one with this idealized figure. It's a powerful, almost desperate plea for connection and control within the dreamscape. Ultimately, these lyrics are effective because they vividly portray the human need for an inner sanctuary when external reality is challenging. The speaker's dreams become a vital sign, a testament that "illness be or wellness thrive / My dream proves I am yet alive." It's a poignant exploration of how our deepest desires and connections can sustain us, even when we're at our most vulnerable.