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.
Scratch my leg with a rusty nail, sadly it heals
Colour my hair but the dye grows out
I can't seem to stay a fixed ideal
Childhood pictures redeem, clean and so serene
See myself without ruining lines
Whole days throwing sticks into streams
I have crawled so far sideways
I recognise dim traces of creation
I wanna die, die in the summertime, I wanna die
The hole in my life even stains the soil
My heart shrinks to barely a pulse
A tiny animal curled into a quarter circle
If you really care wash the feet of a beggar
I have crawled so far sideways
I recognise dim traces of creation
I wanna die, die in the summertime, I wanna die
I have crawled so far sideways
I recognise dim traces of creation
I wanna die, die in the summertime, I wanna die
Colour my hair but the dye grows out
I can't seem to stay a fixed ideal
Childhood pictures redeem, clean and so serene
See myself without ruining lines
Whole days throwing sticks into streams
I have crawled so far sideways
I recognise dim traces of creation
I wanna die, die in the summertime, I wanna die
The hole in my life even stains the soil
My heart shrinks to barely a pulse
A tiny animal curled into a quarter circle
If you really care wash the feet of a beggar
I have crawled so far sideways
I recognise dim traces of creation
I wanna die, die in the summertime, I wanna die
I have crawled so far sideways
I recognise dim traces of creation
I wanna die, die in the summertime, I wanna die
Lyrics submitted by ShiverForMe
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I think the meaning is pretty clear. This person got really burned in a previous relationship, and because of this is unable to love and show care in his present one, even though he so badly wants to. It's lovely song, and very sad. You can really feel how defeated and frustrated he is with himself.
It's about someone in the autumn of his life, that rather died "in the summertime" of his life (when he was still healthy and happy) than this slow decay. Quite fitting for the one who wrote it...
"I have crawled so far sideways / I recognise dim traces of creation"
Beautiful. How on earth do you dream up imagery like that? I think what Richey means is that he has taken a different trajectory in life to most others, and for this reason he has gained a certain insight/perspective that others lack. No doubt this different trajectory is also a cause of many of his issues. Anyway, it's a poetic image worthy of Larkin.
Speaking of Larkin; "The hole in my life even stains the soil" - influenced by Larkin's poem 'The Life With A Hole In It'? Look it up and let me know what you think.
in english literature the seasons can be used as metaphors for times of life i.e. spring= infant summer= adolesence autumn= middle aged etc. so here richey is saying how its best to die when your young so at least the life you left was full of happy memories instead of waiting to winter where its a different story. quite similiar to the ideas in suicide is painless.
I didn't see it in comments, but I think it's obvious that name of the song refers to name of the novel called "Death in Midsummer" written by one of Richey's favoutite authors Yukio Mishima (and it's really kind of book Richey would like to read). But I can't find any references to this novel in the lyrics, cause song is definitely about Richey himself. So I'm just wondering if someone noticed some parallels with the book, or do you think Richey just used the name of it, or there's no connection between them.
why the hell hasn`t anybody commended on this one? pfffff ;) Actually its one of my fafourites, i dont know, maybe its insane, but it makes me happy! :)
despair, and being shot down as you try to progress
I think this song is simply about an old person ("See myself without ruining lines") who wishes he/she could return to childhood, but obviously can't. So instead, they at least want to die in the summertime, when it's nice and they are reminded of their days of innocence.
I think it's about Richey, as he wrote a lot of the holy bible when in rehab. It's got be almost impossible to write a song like this without there being some from of introspection involved, particularly the "scratch my leg" lyric as Richey was of course a notorious self-injurer. This is one of my favourite manics songs and they are without a doubt my favourite band. I like their new stuff but you can't ever truly recover from the loss of someone as talented as Richey. I share a birthday with him, even though it's only coincedence it feels fucking special. Thanks.
Yeah i agree with both ReActor and my nothing's views on this one. the song is about the despair and sadness of an older individual longing for his days of youth, when he was happy. But you can't help but assume that these lyrics represent personal views of Richey, like so many of his holy bible era songs.
This song i clearly about self-mutilation ("Scratch my leg with a rusty nail"), boredom ("Whole days throwing sticks into streams") and suicidal wishes (quite clearly).
I love this song and to me the lines "I have crawled so far sideways I recognise dim traces of creation" have to do with Richeys conviction that whatever you do (and like to do), it will be bored down and become a routine (a vicious circle no-one can escape from).