I feel this is a song about anxiety and or depression.
The black dog of these illnesses follows you even though you can still laugh and cry. There's times when you try to make an effort to defeat your black dog (outsmart him, rip his tail, kick his ribs) but it exhausts you and then there he is behind you again. You think of being free of your black dog (pulling yourself together) even though you might not understand why you're like this (can't explain the tear). Unfortunately I think the last line refers to depression leading to suicide.
Depression is not good, however it is a fact of life. If this interpretation fits, I'm glad there's a song like this. Listening to music you enjoy can relax you and lift your mood. :)
I feel this is a song about anxiety and or depression.
The black dog of these illnesses follows you even though you can still laugh and cry. There's times when you try to make an effort to defeat your black dog (outsmart him, rip his tail, kick his ribs) but it exhausts you and then there he is behind you again. You think of being free of your black dog (pulling yourself together) even though you might not understand why you're like this (can't explain the tear). Unfortunately I think the last line refers to depression leading to suicide.
Depression is not good, however it is a fact of life. If this interpretation fits, I'm glad there's a song like this. Listening to music you enjoy can relax you and lift your mood. :)