After reading the comments, it makes sense that it's about Max. However, he is blurring the lines a bit so it can either relate to their audience or to other issues in his own life (love, etc.). It's a heart wrenching song, with pleading and desperation in his voice -- especially in the chorus, which is so direct it's almost vague.
It took me a while to get the "sway" line, but now I know. This person's sway (coolness, talent, style) gave them much-needed inspiration and he added that sway to the band itself. But sway often comes with it's own demons -- some of the most talented artists are often the most tortured. Thus, he always pays for it. Still...
After reading the comments, it makes sense that it's about Max. However, he is blurring the lines a bit so it can either relate to their audience or to other issues in his own life (love, etc.). It's a heart wrenching song, with pleading and desperation in his voice -- especially in the chorus, which is so direct it's almost vague.
It took me a while to get the "sway" line, but now I know. This person's sway (coolness, talent, style) gave them much-needed inspiration and he added that sway to the band itself. But sway often comes with it's own demons -- some of the most talented artists are often the most tortured. Thus, he always pays for it. Still...