Albatross

In the poem by Coleridge, the sailor was forced to wear the albatross that he had killed. It wasn't a random curse, but a punishment for the choice he made. I think a case can be made for this song being about the lies that addicts tell themselves every day, the albatross being the addiction (i mean, they could have used the phrase monkey on my back, but that's a little on the nose). Consider:

Wear the albatross: live with the curse of your own bad choices.

One last cup of starlight; Before I wake, and start my day: This is a more poetic way of saying "Just one...more...hit. One more and then I'll get myself clean and move on with my life."

A past so filled with promise; Before I lost,I lost my way: A lot of high-functioning people fall into addictions and consequently underachieve. The pain of facing that makes it hard to stop using.

Oh that's okay and I'm alright: Pretty much every addict tells him- or herself this every day. They need to believe they're keeping it together. It's why almost every addict will tell you about how severe someone else's addiction is: they need to be able to tell themselves that as long as they're doing better than "that guy" they're alright.

As a rest recalls the romance; Before the bills; And what you make: Fondly reminiscing about good times that are long gone (such as a former romance) because it's easier than facing your current situation (how much you're spending vs. how much you're making).

The albatross around the neck is a Samuel Taylor Collerage reference to "The Rime of the Ancient Mariner" (the same poem Iron Maiden based their song on). The albatross was a good omen for sailors, but the mariner wore it around his neck to represent his curse... In this song i think it is someone deciding that they are "cursed" or have bad luck, and he's deciding that he's not going to let it govern his life anymore.

I believe that this excellent song by Big Wreck is simply stating that a fellow is waking from sleep another morning realizing that his lost love created the 'albatross', from which he hasn't yet recovered, or metaphorically 'removed'. The night's rest has him recalling the romance and promising life he's lost due to 'bills' and what he 'makes', and how he lost his 'friend' (love). He knows he's O.K., and will carry on, even though he succumbed to the pressures of everyday life, and lost his love in the process -- a familiar cry these days.

I'm alright I'm okay I'll wear that albatross for one more day also could refer to a state of having always suffered or felt guilt ...I agree with those who think it's about addiction after reading their interpretations but the albatross was a metaphor of the ancient mariner's guilt and shame...with most addictions one more day also makes sense in terms of a promise to self ..the cycle of dealing with guilt or shame and the need to feel better ...might also be why the song cycles between the dreamy acoustic verses and harsher electric fuzz pedal like effect on the heavy riffs. Personally it seemed like he was saying I'll be ok because what's one more day compared to all hes been through already

Great song! I think the meaning is they are like the bird just floating around lost with no purpose or meaning... what do you guys think?

I think I hear bells. Seriously, I think the word is bells and not bills in the second verse. This song sounds a little like two songs I wrote: Animal Testing (2002) and The Audobon Song (2004) and so I appreciate the insight from comments. Later on in the album, more similarities. Coincidence, comparison, maybe but I am happy to hear something that sounds like this. It gives me incentive to follow my passion. East Coast Wendy&The West