The Meaning Behind The Song: Pluto by Sleeping At Last

Introduction

As a fan of Sleeping At Last, one song in particular has always resonated with me on a deeper level – “Pluto.” Released on December 10, 2013, as part of their album “Atlas: I,” this song carries a profound message that speaks to the struggles we all face in life. Today, I want to dive into the lyrics and uncover the meaning behind this beautiful and thought-provoking piece.

Table of Contents

The Lyrics

“I woke up from the same dream
Falling backwards, falling backwards
Till it turned me inside out
Now I live a waking life
Of looking backwards, looking backwards
A model citizen of doubt”

These verses depict a recurring dream where the narrator is falling backwards, which is often associated with feelings of uncertainty and a general lack of control. The lines “looking backwards” and “model citizen of doubt” highlight the constant state of worry and anxiety that the narrator experiences in their waking life.

“Until one day I had enough
Of this exercise of trust
I leaned in and let it hurt
And let my body feel the dirt
When I break pattern, I break ground
I rebuild when I break down
I wake up more awake than I’ve ever been before
Still I’m pinned under the weight
Of what I believed would keep me safe
So show me where my armor ends
Show me where my skin begins
Like a final puzzle piece
It all makes perfect sense to me
The heaviness that I hold in my heart belongs to gravity
The heaviness that I hold in my heart’s been crushing me”

In these powerful lines, the narrator reaches a breaking point and decides to confront their fears and vulnerabilities head-on. They choose to embrace the pain and acknowledge that growth only happens when one steps outside their comfort zone. By letting go of old patterns, they find newfound strength and understanding. The metaphor of armor and skin symbolizes the barriers we construct to protect ourselves, but the narrator yearns to shed those protective layers and truly connect with their authentic self. The weight in their heart represents the burdens they have carried, which they attribute to gravity, both in a physical sense and as a metaphor for the forces that hold them down.

“I’ve been worried all my life
A nervous wreck most of the time
I’ve always been afraid of heights
Of falling backwards, falling backwards
I’ve been worried all my life”

These verses highlight the constant state of worry and anxiety that has plagued the narrator throughout their life. The fear of heights and falling backwards symbolize their deep-rooted insecurities and the fear of losing control.

The Deeper Meaning

Sleeping At Last’s “Pluto” delves into the complexities of our human experience. It touches upon our fears, insecurities, and the struggle to overcome them. The song encourages embracing vulnerability and charting a new course by breaking free from self-imposed limitations.

The references to the Roman God Pluto (Hades – Greek counterpart) add an additional layer of meaning to the song. Pluto, the God of Death and ruler of the underworld, was tasked with looking into people’s past to decide their fate in the afterlife. Similarly, the narrator of the song finds themselves constantly looking backwards, fearing the consequences of the choices they have made.

Furthermore, the mention of Pluto as a planet and its slow movement towards the sun due to gravity adds another perspective. Just like the dwarf planet Pluto, the narrator may feel insignificant or less deserving compared to others. However, they come to realize that their struggles and the heaviness they carry are just as valid and important as anyone else’s.

Conclusion

Sleeping At Last’s “Pluto” explores the universal human experience of fear, vulnerability, and the search for authenticity. Through introspection and a willingness to let go of old patterns, the narrator of the song finds strength and understanding. This piece serves as a reminder that it is by embracing our struggles that we grow and discover our true selves. So let “Pluto” inspire you to break free from your fears and find the beauty in vulnerability.

[Album title: Atlas: I (2014)]