Exit Does Not Exist Lyrics

Lyric discussion by Storm&Stress 

Cover art for Exit Does Not Exist lyrics by Modest Mouse

i think the heavy breathing in the background of the song is a good clue as to what this is about. he hears voices, he seems to recall this person that does not even exist. (alternatively, he is looking at a picture of himself from a long time ago). I think message is that the singer is insane. He is hyperventilating, having a nervous breakdown. And for him, the exit does not exist, there is no way to break out of this cycle of insanity that he is enveloped in. He is recalling how things used to be, realized that the person in the picture no longer exists as he has transformed into someone else, and he breaks down. Also as the song goes on the music becomes more and more chaotic and disorderly. This song is really, really great and is probably one of my favorites as it's something I can relate to about now.

I think the heavy breathing is more exhaustion. To me I read/hear the lyrics as...

(happiness) Does not exist. Take an exit. (suicide)