Meaning of "Late Morning Lullaby" by Brandi Carlile

The lyrics of "Late Morning Lullaby" convey a deep longing for escape and a yearning for something more fulfilling than the speaker's current reality. The song opens with the idea of shutting one's eyes and a slide show of memories beginning, signaling a reflection on the past. The panic that sets in suggests a fear of time passing and the weight of missed opportunities or unfulfilled desires. The ghost on the speaker's back and the numbing sensation reveal a burden and emotional emptiness. Dreaming becomes a way to escape, to create an alternative reality where the speaker can find the beauty and fulfillment that is lacking in their real world. The reference to beautiful bright eyes suggests the presence of someone who is the source of both joy and pain. The contrast between lying and crying implies a facade of happiness covering inner turmoil. The late morning lullaby, instead of being a soothing tune before sleep, becomes a melancholic song of longing, a reminder of the disconnect felt upon waking to a new day. The speaker wishes to retreat from the outside world, darkening their window to enable dreams to take hold and reality to fade away. The critics mentioned in the final lines represent societal judgment and disapproval of the speaker's unconventional choices or lifestyle. Despite the disapproval, the speaker finds solace and enchantment in their own dream world, where they can escape and find a sense of belonging and fulfillment that eludes them in the real world.