Grip (feat. Seeb)

Bastille's song 'Grip,' featuring Seeb, delves into the internal struggle of battling one's inner demons and the difficulty of breaking free from self-destructive behaviors. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a person caught in a cycle of regret and temptation, symbolized by the recurring motif of the 'devil's got my arms.' This metaphor suggests a powerful force that keeps pulling the individual back into negative patterns, despite their awareness of the need to escape.

The song opens with a stark contrast between night and day, highlighting the transition from darkness to light as a harsh reminder of reality. The line 'Tomorrow spills across the sky' evokes a sense of inevitability and the relentless passage of time. The protagonist acknowledges their flawed decision-making, admitting, 'We don’t know what’s good for us,' and recognizing that true limits are only discovered when pushed. This reflects a universal human experience of learning through trial and error, often at the cost of personal well-being.

The chorus emphasizes the grip of these inner demons, with the repeated phrase 'the devil's got my arms' underscoring the struggle to break free. The use of alcohol as a metaphor for temporary escape ('We got drunk on this unholy wine') further illustrates the cycle of seeking solace in harmful habits. The desire to 'wash my memory clean' speaks to the longing for a fresh start, free from the burdens of past mistakes. Ultimately, 'Grip' is a poignant exploration of the human condition, capturing the tension between the desire for change and the pull of familiar, yet destructive, comforts.