The narrator encounters a mysterious landlord who burdens him until he meets someone who lifts the weight off his shoulders. The narrator then confronts the landlord, refusing to see him anymore, and waits for his response. As time passes, the narrator's friends and their friends all experience a lightness and freedom from their burdens, eventually turning their backs on the landlord together.

Meaning of "The Landlord" by Johnny Flynn

"The Landlord" explores the concept of letting go of burdens and finding freedom from oppressive forces in one's life. The landlord represents a symbolic figure of negativity or darkness that weighs down the narrator, making life difficult. However, the introduction of a new positive influence in the narrator's life shifts the perspective and enables them to confront the landlord and reject his hold. This rejection leads to a collective liberation among the narrator's community, suggesting that breaking free from toxic influences and burdens can have a ripple effect on others. The act of standing up to the landlord and waiting for his response symbolizes a defiance against negativity and a commitment to seeking light and freedom. Ultimately, the lyrics convey a message of empowerment, unity, and the transformative power of breaking free from that which holds us back.