I think much like another song “Anti-Matter” (that's also on the same album as this song), this one is also is inspired by a horrifying van crash the band experienced on Nov 3, 2022. This, much like the other track, sounds like it's an extension what they shared while huddled in the wreckage, as they helped frontman Garrett Russell stem the bleeding from his head wound while he was under the temporary effects of a concussion. The track speaks of where the mind goes at the most desperate & desolate of times, when it just about slips away to all but disconnect itself, and the aftermath.
Transport, motorways and tramlines
Starting and then stopping
Taking off and landing
The emptiest of feelings
Disappointed people, clinging on to bottles
When it comes it's so, so, disappointing
Let down and hanging around
Crushed like a bug in the ground
Let down and hanging around
Shell smashed, juices flowing
Wings twitch, legs are going
Don't get sentimental, it always ends up drivel
One day, I am gonna grow wings
A chemical reaction
Hysterical and useless
Hysterical and
Let down and hanging around
Crushed like a bug in the ground
Let down and hanging around
Let down
Let down
Let down
You know, you know where you are with
You know where you are with
Floor collapsing, falling
Bouncing back and one day, I am gonna grow wings
A chemical reaction (you know where you are)
Hysterical and useless (you know where you are)
Hysterical and (you know where you are)
Let down and hanging around
Crushed like a bug in the ground
Let down and hanging around
Starting and then stopping
Taking off and landing
The emptiest of feelings
Disappointed people, clinging on to bottles
When it comes it's so, so, disappointing
Let down and hanging around
Crushed like a bug in the ground
Let down and hanging around
Shell smashed, juices flowing
Wings twitch, legs are going
Don't get sentimental, it always ends up drivel
One day, I am gonna grow wings
A chemical reaction
Hysterical and useless
Hysterical and
Let down and hanging around
Crushed like a bug in the ground
Let down and hanging around
Let down
Let down
Let down
You know, you know where you are with
You know where you are with
Floor collapsing, falling
Bouncing back and one day, I am gonna grow wings
A chemical reaction (you know where you are)
Hysterical and useless (you know where you are)
Hysterical and (you know where you are)
Let down and hanging around
Crushed like a bug in the ground
Let down and hanging around
Lyrics submitted by piesupreme
Let Down Lyrics as written by Colin Charles Greenwood Jonathan Richard Guy Greenwood
Lyrics © Royalty Network, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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I agree with much that has been sad about this heart-wrenchingly beautiful song, but I just wanted to offer a possible alternative interpretation to the second verse. It is widely thought that the analogy of a bug been smashed signifies the feeling of crushing feeling of being "let down," which I agree with, but I also think that this anology could apply to the act of resorting to alcohol as an escape from the bordeom and the monotany of modern life (which while temporarily satisfying is ultimately unfulfilling). Ok, when you are drunk your "shell" or your protective gaurd is smashed by the alcohol...you open up and you are not as tight. The "juices are flowing" as the alcohol absorbs itself into your bloodstream and your wings twitch (you feel lighter, better) and your legs are going (maybe your dancing...) Oftentimes when people are drunk, they get sentimental and say stupid shit like "I love you man!" or they start getting beer tears about an exgirlfriend or something (this all just drunken babble, i.e. "drivel"). The alcohol gives you hope for a brighter future ("one day I'm going to grow wings), but at its most basic level this is just a "chemical reaction" in your body. Hysterical and useless...