“Mercury in Retrograde” by Sturgill Simpson is a soul-searching song that grapples with the struggles of fame and the music industry. Simpson uses the astrological phenomenon of Mercury retrograde as a metaphor for the tumultuous times in his life, particularly his encounters with fake friends and the overwhelming nature of the industry. He longs to escape it all and return to a simpler, more genuine existence. The song is not about a specific person but rather about the types of people and situations Simpson has encountered. He wrote this song to vent his frustrations and to share his perspective on the dark side of fame.
Are you curious about Sturgill Simpson’s journey through the music industry and his encounters with false friends? His song “Mercury in Retrograde” talks about his experiences and feelings. It’s a journey worth exploring to understand his challenges and how he’s chosen to express them through his music.
“Mercury in Retrograde” Lyrics Meaning
“I got a haircut in Norway / When all the weight started pulling me down” — right off the bat, Simpson is setting a scene of transformation and the need to shed some of the burdens life has placed upon him. He’s far from home, in Norway, perhaps on tour, feeling the pressure.
The next lines, “Smelling like a waterlogged wet dog / Ain’t no way to travel” further emphasize his discomfort and desire for change. He is not in a good place, both physically and metaphorically.
“But as soon as I chopped it all off / It just grew back thick and brown” — here, Simpson may be alluding to the inevitability of his challenges and the persistence of his struggles, no matter what changes he tries to make.
The chorus dives deep into his feelings of disillusionment with the industry. “They come backstage and on my bus / Pretending to be my friend” reveals his encounters with fake friends and industry insiders who are only interested in his fame. The repetition of “Mercury must be in retrograde again” reflects his feeling of misalignment and chaos in his life.
Simpson doesn’t just stop at the music industry; he also takes a jab at the superficiality of award shows and the envy of others in “And all the travelling trophies and award show stands / And all the haters wishin’ they was in my band.”
Finally, he expresses a deep sense of loneliness and the repetitive nature of his life on tour in “And there’s nothing for me outside this hotel room / But another let down, lonely day.”
The Story Behind “Mercury in Retrograde”
Sturgill Simpson, a Kentucky native, is known for his candidness and authenticity. “Mercury in Retrograde” was written during a time when Simpson was in a state of exhaustion and frustration, fed up with the fake interactions and the constant pressure. He was yearning for simplicity and truth, something he felt was missing in the whirlwind of his career.
The song serves as a cathartic expression of his feelings, a way for him to lay it all out and perhaps find some peace in the chaos. Simpson, with his soulful voice and honest lyrics, invites us into his world, giving us a glimpse of the complexity of life in the spotlight and the longing for something real.