Story Behind The Song
I thought of the concept of people on a plane as a fairly universal metaphor of escaping something. "A moment too long" refers to the moment we it would take to be self-aware and truly honest with ourselves about something we are trying to escape. If we took that moment, perhaps we'd find a way to face our challenges head-on without fear instead of what most of us do: escapism or repetition with the same patterns with a different face, a different city, or a different partner.
Song Description
Metaphorical and touching lyrical content interweaving various passengers' feelings as they escape their respective life-challenges. The first is a business man leading an unfulfilling life, next is a mother who has left the father taking her daughter with her, and the last is a newlywed couple unaware of the challenges they will actually face being married long-term.
| Song Length |
5:15 |
Genre |
Folk - Rock, Folk - Contemporary |
| Tempo |
Very Slow (Under 70) |
Lead Vocal |
Male Vocal |
| Mood |
Poignant, Moving |
Subject |
Life, Regret |
| Similar Artists |
Radiohead, Avenged Sevenfold |
Language |
English |
| Era |
2000 and later |
| |
Lyrics
The man sitting next to me feels like an empty cup of coffee. We both look up and back down again as the plane begins to move. The shoes on his feet seem happy to leave the life he's been living in a nearby city, or maybe it's a small town far away.
And as we leave the ground neither one of us wants to look on down, for the fall would be long, and we might be wrong.
Overlooking my life from 10,000 feet. Try to make sense of the man who sits in my seat. And as I'm leaving the ground, I look around to the sky and forget why just for a moment...
a moment too long.
The woman across from me places an order for a drink. The tear in her eye tells me she just said goodbye. The child sitting next to her plays with her dolls; one of them falls. She says "mommy, I miss Daddy." "I know; so will I."
And as we leave the ground, neither one of us wants to look on down, for the fall would be long and we might be wrong.
Overlooking my life from 10,000 feet; try to make sense of the man who sits in my seat. And as I'm leaving the ground, I look around too the sky, and forget why, just for a moment...a moment too long.
And the memories come in waves as horizons start to fade. I'm escaping this life with regret taking flight. Please someone tell me why we don't feel right. Please someone tell me why I don't feel right.
The newlyweds just up the row escaping just for a little while. They order a couple of drinks and make a toast to new beginnings. The look in their eyes tells me they have yet to find how the sandcastles fall against such great walls and divides.
As we coast through the sky, we all think we're too young to die. What in God's name got us all here? Why do they answers fall in tears? And as I'm leaving the ground, I look into your eyes and forget why, just for a moment...
a moment too long.
This track is on 7 Member Playlists