The Ice Is Getting Thinner

Such a fucking sad song. Crying to it right now.

This song has had a very strong personal impact on my life.

A little over a month ago, I was going through a very tough time with one of my best friends. She is a girl, and I am a guy, and I started being too affectionate with her and made her very uncomfortable. So I told her I would stop, and I did, but things just weren't the same. We were so much more distant than we once were. So one night, we went to the drive-ins with a few other friends. I drove her there and back, and we listened to Narrow Stairs for the trip.

Even though we had fun at the drive-in, once we got in the car, we could both feel the tension. I would try to make small talk, but it just felt so different. We were nearing her house, and "The Ice is Getting Thinner" turned on. I was genuinely afraid to listen to this song, because I am almost felt like it would confirm what we both knew, that we were drifting further and further apart. We both sat in silence to the song, and it ended right when we got to her house.

For a week after that, we didn't talk once. But, I decided to text her and it was like nothing happened. We are just as close as ever, and I truly think that wouldn't be so without this song.

A sad, yet beautiful song. About a disintegrating relationship.

It's actually "floes". As in ice floes. Floes of ice. That kind of thing. I agree-the album version is more haunting.

This is saying goodbye.. or at least how I'm trying to say goodbye.

We did bury everything, because we never talked about it. The snow and ice literally crunched under our feet that day in March.

And now, I'm afraid, it's too late.

This song explains what I feel right now. It's sad... but there is nothing that can be done.

This song haunts me every time I listen to it because it truly is one of those songs that gets it exactly right. Every line and note hit the chords in my heart perfectly. The thing is that I'm not even thinking about a romantic relationship when I hear this song. I actually think back to one of my former best friends and how we grew apart. The falling out was extremely emotional and difficult so the morose mood goes wonderfully with my thoughts. The seasons he speaks of even fit perfectly. It truly is unfortunate but I'm glad I had this song to help me through that time.

I also agree that it is the best ending to any of their albums.

Beautiful song. The only part of the lyrics I couldn't quite work out was

"That what flows under our feet bled into the sea"

But after listening I'm almost sure it's

"When the flows under our feet bled into the sea".

Very subtle difference, and to be honest it doesn't make much difference =P

Oh and TDDx8 - Great job on getting all of these lyrics down, I was going to do it myself but they were already here (still went through the album and worked them out myself though =D).

Damn, this is a great album, shall have to actually pay for it when it comes out officially ;P

Well, first off, let me just say that honest to God this song made me shed a few tears. It's something that happens to a lot of relationships and is happening to one i have right now. It made me realize that my relationship is in poor condition compared to the day it started and the "happier times" of it. Sometimes all you can do is just let go.

This is like my ultimate fear. A relationship falling apart, and there's absolutely nothing you can do to fix it.

Agh, what a beautiful song.

This one is a heart breaker. I think its got something for anyone who still dwells one of their more recent failed relationships.

One of the things I love most about these lyrics is that unspoken understanding they embody between two people. I'm sure this song in effect, wrote itself. Ben draws in a passage of time that you can feel in his lyrics. It gives this simple song so much depth. And I think the dependent nature of ice on the seasons really gives a person (or in effect, the couple) the feeling of being at mercy of the inevitable.

Its funny how well it works. That ice that could support the burden of a relationship.. Its as tangible in the song as the 'love' between two people that you may have once felt leave your own failed relationship. A very cool similarity. Both are dependent upon the changing seasons or sways of temperament that meddle with the thing we experience as love.

This song is special to me- I've certainly got healing to do of my own.(blatantly obvious?) But I believe this song is more than a sad retrospection. It signifies a coming to terms with life and love. Something we all get along to doing as we go on. These lyrics kind of capture the beauty of the ebb and flow of emotion and attachment.

Big thanks to Death Cab for this one. I look forward to seeing another amazing show at First Avenue in Minneapolis!