Daughter’s song “Still” captures the paradox of a relationship hanging by a thread, yet full of emotional contradictions. The song encapsulates the experience of loving someone while also feeling distanced from them, describing it as “two feet standing on a principle” and “two hands longing for each other’s warmth.” It lays out the complexities of love and animosity coexisting, mentioning things like “cold smoke,” “darkness falling,” and “hate spitting out.” Despite the tension, the song indicates that both people still share intimate moments, revealing a complex emotional landscape. “Still” taps into the unsettling but realistic aspects of dysfunctional relationships through its lyrics.
Let’s go through the layers and complexities in Daughter’s “Still.” This song isn’t just about love; it’s about a love that can’t decide if it’s coming or going.
“Still” Lyrics Meaning
Let’s start with “I’ll wrap up my bones and leave them out of this home, out on the road.” This line sets the tone of emotional detachment. The idea of leaving one’s bones behind paints a vivid picture of someone preparing for a hard journey, emotionally or perhaps even physically.
But then, we get a twist. “Two feet standing on a principle, two hands longing for each other’s warmth.” These lines are so loaded. On one hand, there are principles at play—perhaps differences or conflicts that can’t be resolved. Yet, there’s an obvious yearning, an emotional tether that neither can cut.
“Cold smoke seeping out of colder throats, darkness falling, leaves nowhere to go.” Here, the words “cold” and “darkness” contrast sharply with the typical warmth and light we associate with love. It suggests a sort of emotional stagnation, where both parties are too choked up to let warmth and light in.
Now, let’s talk about the hook: “But we’re still sleeping like we’re lovers, still with feet touching, still with eyes meeting, still our hands match, still with hearts beating.” This is where the song really captures the essence of its own title—’Still.’ Despite all the animosity and the ‘biting words,’ they still find themselves tangled in the same intimate acts, eyes meeting and hearts beating in sync.
This juxtaposition reveals the crux of the song: a relationship that’s emotionally charged but fundamentally flawed, where love and hate are two sides of the same coin.
The Story Behind “Still”
When Daughter’s Elena Tonra wrote this song, it was a different period in her life. Daughter is known for their emotional intensity and complex lyricism, often delving into the intricacies of relationships and human emotions. Elena has always had a knack for capturing raw emotions and turning them into beautiful but gut-wrenching music.
“Still” comes from Daughter’s debut album “If You Leave,” released in 2013. At that time, the band was transitioning from being an opening act to headlining their own shows, and there was a palpable sense of growth and evolution in their music. The emotional intricacies captured in the song mirror Elena’s own growing awareness of complexities in relationships and her surroundings.
Moreover, the ambiguity and emotional duality in “Still” reflects Elena’s artistry and the band’s broader thematic interests. From tackling subjects like mental health, loss, and the complexities of love, Daughter has never shied away from confronting uncomfortable truths. Elena herself is somewhat of an enigma, often letting her music speak for her emotions and experiences, and “Still” is no exception.
Elena once mentioned in interviews that songwriting is therapeutic for her. And considering the emotional heaviness of “Still,” it likely served as a form of catharsis. It’s a song that many can relate to, dealing with the perplexities of a relationship that’s neither wholly good nor entirely bad. And that’s the brilliance of “Still”—it’s a piece of art that is just as complex as the relationships it seeks to portray.