Slow and Steady by Of Monsters and Men Lyrics Meaning – Unraveling the Metaphorical Mazes of the Mind
Lyrics
All the trees outside are buried in the snow
I spend my night dancing with my own shadow
And it holds me, and it never lets me go
I move slow and steady
But I feel like a waterfall
Yeah, I move slow and steady
Past the ones that I used to know
My dear old friend, take me for a spin
Two wolves in the dark, running in the wind
I’m letting go, but I’ve never felt better
Passing by all the monsters in my head
And I move slow and steady
But I feel like a waterfall
Yeah, I move slow and steady
Past the ones that I used to know
And I’m never ready
‘Cause I know, I know, I know
That time won’t let me
Show what I want to show
And I move slow and steady
But I feel like a waterfall
Yeah, I move slow and steady
Past the ones that I used to know
And I’m never ready
‘Cause I know, I know, I know
That time won’t let me
Show what I want to show
Oh-oh-oh-oh, oh-oh, oh-oh, oh
Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh
Oh-oh-oh-oh, oh-oh, oh-oh, oh
Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh
Oh-oh-oh-oh, oh-oh, oh-oh, oh
Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh
Oh-oh-oh-oh, oh-oh, oh-oh, oh
Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh
Oh-oh-oh-oh, oh-oh, oh-oh, oh
Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh
Oh-oh-oh-oh, oh-oh, oh-oh, oh
Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh
In the realm of indie folk, few bands spark the imagination quite like Of Monsters and Men. Their evocative lyrics and lush soundscapes transport listeners to otherworldly realms. The track ‘Slow and Steady,’ from their acclaimed album ‘My Head Is an Animal,’ serves as a testament to their mastery of musical storytelling. But to truly appreciate the depth of this song, one must delve beyond the surface and into its intricate metaphors and potent symbolism.
The track stands out not only for its hauntingly beautiful melody but for its poignant narrative on self-exploration and evolution. It’s a journey that weaves through the quiet solitude of introspection and the noisy distractions of past experiences. This thematic exploration confronts the listener with a mirror reflecting the struggles of the psyche as it confronts its inner ‘monsters.’
Embracing Solitude in a Snow-Enshrouded Soundscape
The opening lines paint a world in whites and grays, cloaked in snow’s silent embrace. ‘The lights go out, I am all alone,’ speaks to the forced introspection that often comes with solitude. But it’s within this loneliness that the song’s narrator begins their dance, a metaphor for self-discovery in the quiet spaces where one’s shadow becomes the only company.
The stillness of the snowy landscape is essential to the song’s ambiance, compelling the listener to slow down. Like the trees buried under snowdrifts, we can find ourselves trapped beneath the layers of our past. The scene sets the stage for a reflective journey, as solitude can often be the crucible for personal growth and transformation.
The Liminal Dance Between Progress and Inertia
Movement and flow are at the heart of ‘Slow and Steady.’ The song embraces contradictory states — the slow, steady progression against the energetic rush of a waterfall. This contrast symbolizes the human condition’s duality: the methodical journey of life seasoned with moments of intense feeling or swift change.
This dichotomy eloquently captured in the chorus represents our passage through life — steady and observant, yet beneath the calm surface roils the tumultuous power of our emotions. The recognition of this constant, complex interplay challenges listeners to embrace both the tranquility and turbulence of their existence.
Dancing with Shadows: Confronting the ‘Monsters’ Within
The narrative shifts to a more intimate scene of self-confrontation with the verse, ‘Passing by all the monsters in my head.’ In the grand tradition of mythology, monsters represent our fears, failures, and regrets. The act of passing them by is not an act of escape but of acknowledgment and acceptance.
The shadows and monsters within the song act as totems of internal struggle. The dance with one’s own shadow becomes a metaphor for learning to coexist with the aspects of oneself that are flawed or hurtful. This confrontation leads to the potential catharsis and liberation expressed in the feeling of ‘never felt better.’
The Relentless Passage of Time and Its Unyielding Grip
Central to the heart of the song is the notion of time — ‘I’m never ready,’ ‘time won’t let me.’ These lines reflect our perennial battle against time’s relentless flow. The admission of never being ready is a humble recognition of our limits and vulnerabilities in the face of life’s inevitable march.
The acknowledgment that time restricts what one ‘wants to show’ is an exploration of the barriers between the inner self and external manifestation. This reinforces the song’s overarching theme of the tension between our internal world and the external perceptions we wish to present to those around us.
Uncovering the Hidden Meaning in the Melancholic Melody
The repetitious outro, marked by a choir of oh’s, elevates the song to a spiritual plane, as if the narrative transcends words and speaks directly to the soul. It’s in these simple sounds where the song’s hidden meanings resonate — a primal expression of emotion that transcends language and connects listeners to the universal human experience.
The monosyllabic chanting serves as an incantation of sorts, casting a spell that allows for a collective meditation on the song’s deeper messages. It is here, in the space between the notes, where the listener finds their understanding and where the song’s meaning, as vast and varied as the individuals who hear it, truly lies.
