Meaning of "Breathin' Out" by Kurt Vile

The lyrics of "Breathin' Out" delve into the inner turmoil that arises when one is high, both literally and metaphorically. The repetition of the lines "Last night I was high, I heard you say / It was my body or my brain that said my soul was dead" suggests a sense of detachment from oneself, a feeling of confusion and disconnection. This highlights the struggle between different facets of the self, such as body, brain, and soul, and the difficulty in finding harmony among them. The lines "Hey, yeah, you forgot that you gotta be / Taking in it all and breathing out slow" serve as a reminder to pause, reflect, and be present in the moment, rather than getting caught up in internal battles and uncertainties. Overall, the song conveys a message of self-awareness, acceptance, and the importance of finding balance within oneself.