AFI – The Despair Factor

Along the path where the stream is talking,
I breathe the mist and continue walking.
The wood, it whispers in a language of it's own.
As a sigh escaped my lips,
I feel the light caress of fingertips that
Steal away the breath and leave me on my own.

Waiting by the stairs,
Waiting, I despair.
Waiting by the stairs,
Waiting, I despair.

My whole life is a dark room...
One...big...dark...room.

Do I hear the hollow sound,
Footsteps resounding on this frozen ground,
Or the familiar disappointment of the echoes of my own?

(For redemption,
For elation,
For the time when I ascend
For the ecstasy,
For the tragedy,
For the point of my ascension.)

Somehow I ended up here in between,
Where there is always the comfort of knowing
I'll never be seen...
When I fall.
I wait for just one touch
And I fall.

Weightless, endless,
Faithless, I'll adore you.
A single touch before I fade.
Painless let me pass through.


Lyrics submitted by oofus

The Despair Factor song meanings
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47 Comments

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  • +1
    General Commenti think this song is about someone very dear to you who gets pushed away from you either by something terrible you did or by something that happened between you. all you can do is wait and hope for this person to come back and forgive you, but everytime they seem near, they are even farther away. At this point you are completely alone; all you want is to see this person again, just one more touch. all you can do now is try to make it through with as little pain as possible.
    articia678on May 27, 2002   Link
  • 0
    General CommentIt seems like one of those old sad love story movies. Kind of like the movie "Sleepy Hollow" but in black and white. Where it is suppose to be the best day of his life and the girl never shows up (like that). It seems like when he says "steal away the breath and leave me on my own." Is when he realizes that girl will never show up. Or maybe never cared.
    Hadeson May 19, 2002   Link
  • 0
    General CommentThis song... Is truely great, it explains the ordeals of a person, going through a pretty rough period in time, which would explain... "My whole life is a dark room... One BIG dark room." this lyric is almost suggesting the person was left out in the dark, as if to rot and die. Awesome song, either way.
    Davegetaon May 28, 2002   Link
  • 0
    General CommentIf anyone noticed that part where he states "My whole life is a dark room... One big dark room." was taken from the movie Beetle Juice. The daughter, Lydia, says it to her parents.
    LilVolcomon May 30, 2002   Link
  • 0
    General CommentA friend of mine told me to listen to that. Apparently he has great taste in music. I've never even heard of AFI before a few weeks ago and now they're one of my favroite bands.This, in my opinion, is one f their best songs. I hope they can keep creating more like this one.
    blink182kacon May 31, 2002   Link
  • 0
    General CommentThis is my life written out right here in this song. I love this song so much. haha yeah that one part is from Beetle Juice. I used to watch that movie twice a day when i was a kid.
    Afinaon June 06, 2002   Link
  • 0
    General CommentWe all know that Beelte Juice is the punkest motherfucker alive, right? I really love AFI and they really are one of the bands you have to see live before you die.
    emoJustinon June 06, 2002   Link
  • 0
    General Commentya thats right Beetle Jucie is one green sunvabitch. except he's dead, i.e. "YEEHOO, huh huh huh YEEHOO, I'l possess myself if i gotta! WOah i got demons runnin aaall through me, aaalll through me" That film is so good, and yeah Afina i used to watch it all the time when i was a kid too. Can this thing be about beetle juice now and not the song?

    oh right ok, the song totally rules, and Davey's lyrics are amazing, especialy the line that starts with "Do I hear the hollow sound..." this isnt even one of the best on the album i dont think but it god DAMMIT it rules!!
    But it does mention Beetle GEUSE so maybe its getting better. christ its good, the best is obviously the lost souls though. and OGAG. Tiger Army also rule, if you like AFI then you love them too
    sugarpunkon June 11, 2002   Link
  • 0
    General Commenti wish people would recognize real love from the right person...i feel like that with this song..i get one touch from that person...just before i fall...and she leaves..for someone else ...all the time...
    Egonon June 16, 2002   Link
  • 0
    General Commentyes. but let us reverse the gender, shall we?
    Afinaon June 20, 2002   Link

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