Shoestrings

It sounds to me like he's saying and blue blood after skin and bones.

I really like your definition. But I agree it doesn't sound like open it sounds like blue blood

Gotta keep it movin Ya know I feel responsible Ever since I met you I noticed I’m invincible

Keeping his music career and his relationship moving in a positive progressive direction because it is his job to do that in his mind, and the relationship he has gives him the confidence to believe he can do things he didn’t realize he could accomplish.

I know you like it groovy You know I’m bored with rock and roll Now that I’m improving They say that I have lost it all.

He acknowledges her style, and states his dissatisfaction with the music he has been hearing and/or creating in the past, but now that he got his eyes off of all the commercialism and just focused on his passion in his music the quality went up, even though he kind of spit in the face of the status quo of the industry.

We’re hanging by the shoestrings The ones we love are holding We’re skin and bones and blue blood It’s where we’re going not where we came from.

Your loved ones can hold you back if you focus on pleasing those that are closest to you. However, we are all human. We’re not going to be perfect. Sometimes choices are made tor benefit ourselves even though it doesn’t agree with the opinions of those closest to us. Looking ahead to what can be accomplished instead of dwelling on past failures or on the people that initially gave ineffective guidance.

I have your attention cause anything is possible I swear that my intention Is nothing short of probable

Approaching things his own way did grab attention because it was effective. Now he believes that his vision of success is a likelihood.

You think that I’m conceited But maybe I’m just miserable

When he quit taking the advice of the ones closest to him, they got offended and thought he was arrogant in his aspirations and ideas, but they failed to realize his choices were more reactive to his own dissatisfaction, and nothing personal against the people that have tried to help him in the past.

The ones that we love Are the ones that we hurt.

The ones that cared enough to give guidance in the first place did so because of the love in their hearts. When he followed his own direction, it was hurtful to them. You can’t hurt people that don’t care.

first off... does he really say "open" every time? it almost sounds like "broken" sometimes.

secondly, it's "nothing short of probable"

and, finally, meaning! i think a lot of awolnation's songs seem to be about dealing with mental illness. "sail" mentions a.d.d. specifically, and many ("not your fault" comes to mind) can be interpreted to pertain to depression/bipolar disorder/other severe mental and emotional problems. i think this song is partly about coming to terms with the reality of having a problem, and the way that mental/emotional disorders influence relationships.

the first two verses seem to be about a romantic relationship he's in; she makes him feel on top of the world! but he has a real problem, and their relationship is damaged later, when his actions become confusing.

third verse: i think it's a suicide attempt, a cry for help.

fourth verse: "You think that I'm conceited But maybe I'm just miserable"

irrational actions or actions in the interest of self-preservation without explanation can often come off as plain old selfishness and damage relationships.

"Now that I'm improving They say that i have lost it all"

getting to counseling/therapy/whatever is helping him deal with his problem, but he has had to admit he is mentally ill (lost it!)

"the ones that we love are the ones that we hurt"

if someone you love is diagnosed with a mental problem or makes a suicide attempt, it can make you feel guilty or, as he says in the first verse, responsible, even though it's absolutely not your fault... NOR is it their fault. it's nobody's fault, it's just the way things are. but that doesn't change the feelings.

CHORUS! having a network of people who support you ("the ones we love") is fantastic. but even if they are really pillars holding you up, it can feel like you're dangling by a thread and one false move from being dropped and abandoned. baring yourself by talking to people you trust ("skin and bones and open") is often essential to healing or dealing with a mental illness. and finally, even if you've had bad times, there are ALWAYS good times ahead:)

...wow. that was a long post.