So That We Can Be Still

Angel Olsen's song "So That We Can Be Still" delves into the complexities of memory, time, and the human desire for stillness amidst the chaos of life. The opening lines, "Must all of my memories drown into infinity? Try to grasp them, but I always miss," reflect a poignant struggle with the fleeting nature of memories. Olsen captures the essence of how quickly time passes, almost as if it resists being held onto, urging listeners to consider the impermanence of their experiences and the difficulty of preserving them.

The song continues to explore the theme of life's rapid pace with lines like, "All the many ways that you can choose to be alive, all the countless steps you take before you have arrived." Here, Olsen highlights the myriad choices and paths one can take in life, each step contributing to the journey. The passing faces and the question, "Where are they going so quickly?" evoke a sense of urgency and the often-overlooked moments of reflection. The juxtaposition of being awake and making a sound versus being asleep in the ground underscores the transient nature of existence.

In the final verses, Olsen introduces the metaphor of wrapping thoughts and soul in a box, "to hide away," suggesting a desire to preserve one's essence in a tangible form. The repeated hope that "somebody might find it" speaks to a longing for connection and understanding, even if it means leaving behind a part of oneself for others to discover. This encapsulates the human need for stillness and the hope that amidst the rush of life, there will be moments of recognition and preservation of one's true self.