Meaning of "Gravity" by Turnstile

The song "Gravity" by Turnstile explores the theme of feeling trapped and held back by one's own negative emotions and self-doubt. The opening lines, "This feeling is what they want, oh yeah / This feeling is what they get," suggest that society or external forces may contribute to these feelings of being stuck and held down. The speaker yearns to break free from this state, asking to be shown how to truly feel and expressing a desire to expose their fears and let go of self-doubt. They recognize that they have been living a lie, with something metaphorically covering their eyes and preventing them from seeing their own potential. This line could also allude to societal pressures or expectations that have overshadowed the speaker's true self. The repetition of "I keep me down / It's just the gravity I keep around" emphasizes that the primary force holding the speaker back is self-imposed. It suggests that they have internalized these negative feelings and allowed them to become a persistent gravitational force in their life. However, the song ultimately conveys a sense of hope and determination. The speaker acknowledges the need to lift their focus from the ground and overcome the weight of self-doubt. They yearn to find a way to release themselves from this self-imposed gravity and live a more authentic, fulfilling life.