Lyric discussion by kegplant 

Cover art for Friction lyrics by Imagine Dragons

I think literally friction refers to entropy, which you simply cannot fight. Figuratively it can be any struggle that seems impossible. The listener is supposed to identify w/ the struggle, while being told to "ease it off", which creates a sort of pleasant dissonance. I don't think you are meant to actually "ease it off" in this context.

@kegplant On second thought, it's probably literally about friction, i.e. the more normal force you apply, the greater the friction becomes.

@kegplant oooo that makes sense!