I have a little more clarity on the last two verses… The entire last two verses are related to the attraction of city life, including both the excitement that youths feel when going out on the town, and the humdrum way that adults have going to their jobs.
'Lit up like a firefly' - lit up store fronts, signs etcetera of a city at nighttime. Just as moths are attracted to lights at night, so too are youths seeking excitement, referenced by 'Just to feel the living night'.
'Some will sell their dreams for small desires' - the desire for income, a new car, a new material item that can only be obtained with the money earned from a job. Committing to that job meant sacrificing a dream, or 'sell their dreams'.
'Or lose the race to rats' - lose precious spirit and time to enjoy life by travelling a depressing commute, to and from the job.
'Get caught in ticking traps' - I have to admit, seeing the Subdivisions video gave me more clarity on what this line means…. ticking traps are basically time commitments, that cause you miss out on valuable experiences in life. You scramble to get to a train by a certain time everyday, or complete your work tasks on a strict schedule. You are bound to these commitments, causing you to miss out on other valuable experiences.
'And start to dream of somewhere To relax their restless flight ' - The tedium of the daily commute leaves you longing for your suburban, subdivided home, where you can just go and relax.
'Somewhere out of a memory Of lighted streets on quiet nights' - The longing to get to the suburban home, is not just a current thought but also deeply engrained in your memory, from having been raised in the same type of subdivision for example.
I have a little more clarity on the last two verses… The entire last two verses are related to the attraction of city life, including both the excitement that youths feel when going out on the town, and the humdrum way that adults have going to their jobs.
'Lit up like a firefly' - lit up store fronts, signs etcetera of a city at nighttime. Just as moths are attracted to lights at night, so too are youths seeking excitement, referenced by 'Just to feel the living night'.
'Some will sell their dreams for small desires' - the desire for income, a new car, a new material item that can only be obtained with the money earned from a job. Committing to that job meant sacrificing a dream, or 'sell their dreams'.
'Or lose the race to rats' - lose precious spirit and time to enjoy life by travelling a depressing commute, to and from the job.
'Get caught in ticking traps' - I have to admit, seeing the Subdivisions video gave me more clarity on what this line means…. ticking traps are basically time commitments, that cause you miss out on valuable experiences in life. You scramble to get to a train by a certain time everyday, or complete your work tasks on a strict schedule. You are bound to these commitments, causing you to miss out on other valuable experiences.
'And start to dream of somewhere To relax their restless flight ' - The tedium of the daily commute leaves you longing for your suburban, subdivided home, where you can just go and relax.
'Somewhere out of a memory Of lighted streets on quiet nights' - The longing to get to the suburban home, is not just a current thought but also deeply engrained in your memory, from having been raised in the same type of subdivision for example.