i'm tired
cynical and broken, but wiser
heavy with a sense of resentment
but i used to be so much different
i used to have so much faith
when i started
you knew that i always meant it
i knew i could make a difference
i struggled to be heard
and then finally, one day people started listening
and i knew it
but as soon as it began it was ruined
a slow descent from unique to routine
over and over
"just do it again and this time with feeling"
the spotlight
the focus on the friends and the feelings
that made those stupid songs all worth singing
and don't you say a word
unless you're pretty sure that you want it analyzed
so we drove
for what seemed like days
over roads
and four lane highways
we said all we had to say
and i realized in time that it didn't mean anything

never
not ever again...
not like that
"it's only a matter of time"



Lyrics submitted by almostmanda


A Slow Descent song meanings
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49 Comments

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  • 0
    General Comment:There actually are interviews and biographies and such stating that this song is written about John's experience with Taking Back Sunday, along with Sunrise Highway (Your Name Here).

    The piano is incredible in this song though, I just learned how to play it and once you get it down, it feels incredile. Playing this song relieves so much stress for me.
    Flagged ifoundpaigeon November 04, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I always tend to apply these lyrics personally to myself. I've used it a lot when I'm really depressed with where my life is going, and I feel like that's what this song boils down to.
    Just being unsatisfied with your life, you know? If you look at it from a basic point, it just this guy saying "Wow, I really hate where I am right now. What happened? Why am I so down?" and then explaining what lead to him feeling like that.
    IMHO, anyway.
    Flag Monday_Blueon November 20, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:This song is about changing to make people like you.
    You have to do things that aren't really you at all for people to like you.

    a lot of straylights songs are about this.
    Flag kimmilowon September 13, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:Also

    "I'm tired, cynical and broken but wiser, heavy with a sense of resentment"

    -- A Slow Descent by SR


    "Older and wiser still live with resentment"

    -- I am Fred Astaire by TBS


    definitely a connection there
    Flag TaKiNgBaCkSuNdAy17on July 24, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:fivergirl yes u are correct straylight run purposely wrote this song how they want it to be, not like most every other band who uses the whole standard verse chorus verse chorus blah... they are individuals which should really be respected... i can relate to the part about struggling to be heard, since im in the process of starting a band and writing songs it is tough to get your material out there and such
    Flag TaKiNgBaCkSuNdAy17on July 23, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:hmm, this is one of my favorites by straylight. someone mentioned a lack of chorus which i hadn't noticed... i was wondering maybe they did that on purpose? because they didn't like that tbs was sticking to the same "format" and they wanted to try something different musically.

    this song is really good though, i can apply it to my life too.
    Flag fivergirlon July 08, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:It i know you will probable get that but i will just feel self concious if I know I put I and not it.
    Flag themiracleofseanon June 06, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I know that this song is pretty obviously about John and Shaun leaving TBS but (i dont know if anyone mentioned this already) but i could also be about any number of thing that have started out great but have slowly gone down hill e.g. a relationship, bussiness etc. Well if i'm wrong whatever it dosn't matter because i'm only giving my opinion heh well there. Ooo and this is a wonderful song and Straylight Run are the best band ever.
    Flag themiracleofseanon June 06, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:Anyone who thinks this ISN'T about TBS is in denial becuse it's so obvious.
    Flag xxemo_kittyxxon April 01, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:but anyway this is just a great song. like i mean its so obvious what hes talking about...yet the great thing about john is that he can say it such a way thats unique and really, pretty much no other singers can put into words the same way that john can.
    Flag this glass houseon July 25, 2006   Link

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