The narrator wakes up every morning to the sound of motors drowning out the voices in their head. At night, they hear the angels speaking but can't remember what they say. They struggle with their own thoughts and emotions, seeking release through sickness and physical pain. The narrator's father is building wings in a maze, and when the narrator finally flies, they go too high and fall. Throughout the song, the narrator questions whether they are letting go and eventually finds a sense of relaxation in their fall.

Read more
image

Meaning of "Icarus" by Jason Webley


The lyrics of "Icarus" explore the themes of struggle, frustration, and the desire for escape. The narrator represents someone who is constantly overwhelmed by external influences and voices. The motors that roar every morning symbolize the noise and distractions of daily life that drown out their inner thoughts and desires. At night, the inability to remember the wisdom spoken by the angels suggests a sense of disconnect and frustration. The narrator's struggles with their own mind and body manifest in their attraction to sickness and physical pain, finding release and control through these experiences.

The reference to the narrator's father building wings in a maze alludes to the myth of Icarus, who flew too close to the sun and fell. Here, the narrator's father represents guidance and wisdom, contrasting with the narrator's struggle to find their own way. The narrator's flight and subsequent fall symbolize their own attempt at escape and freedom. The burning and melting sun represents the danger of reaching too high or becoming too consumed by ambition. The fall becomes a moment of surrender and release, where the narrator finally feels relaxed.

Overall, the lyrics convey a longing for release from the chaos and noise of the world, as well as a desire to escape the internal struggles that plague the narrator. The journey of Icarus serves as a metaphor for the pitfalls of ambition and the importance of finding balance and acceptance. The repeated refrain of "letting go" emphasizes the narrator's need to relinquish control and find peace within themselves.