Next Up Forever

AJR's song 'Next Up Forever' delves into the anxiety and fear associated with reaching one's peak and the desire to perpetually remain on the cusp of greatness. The lyrics reflect a deep-seated fear of finality and the unknown that comes with achieving a significant milestone. The opening lines, 'Your eyes are open, so never close them / You’ll sail the ocean, finding where you should be,' set a tone of exploration and self-discovery, encouraging the listener to keep striving and never settle.

The chorus reveals a more personal and vulnerable side, with lines like 'I’m kinda scared to drop this album / Let’s push it back another week / I wanna be next up forever / Find a way to never hit my peak.' Here, the artist expresses a fear of releasing their work and the pressure of living up to expectations. The desire to 'never hit my peak' suggests a longing to stay in a state of potential, where the best is always yet to come, rather than facing the reality of possibly declining after reaching the top.

The song also touches on the fear of being left behind, as seen in the lines 'Some day, they’ll be talking about me / Right now, they’re just walking around me / My God, are you growing without me? / Somebody help me.' This reflects a common anxiety of being overshadowed or forgotten in a fast-paced world. The repeated plea for help underscores the vulnerability and uncertainty that come with growth and change. Ultimately, 'Next Up Forever' is a poignant exploration of the fear of peaking, the pressure of expectations, and the desire to remain in a state of perpetual potential.