Late morning lullaby

Brandi Carlile's 'Late Morning Lullaby' is a poignant exploration of the struggle between the desire for escape and the harsh reality of daily life. The song opens with the imagery of a 'slide show' beginning as soon as the protagonist's eyes shut, suggesting a mind overwhelmed by memories and anxieties. The weight on the chest and the ghost on the back symbolize the burdens and regrets that haunt the narrator, creating a numbing sensation of everything they lack. This sets the stage for a recurring theme in the song: the yearning to escape into dreams, away from the 'real world.'

The chorus, with its repetition of 'Only beautiful, beautiful bright eyes, lie' and 'cry,' juxtaposes the allure of dreams with the pain of reality. The 'late morning lullaby' serves as a metaphor for the comfort found in sleep and dreams, even if it means delaying the inevitable confrontation with the day. The first sign of morning being 'gray and alarming' underscores the dread the narrator feels about facing a new day, contrasting sharply with the rest of the world that greets the day with a sense of renewal. This highlights the protagonist's sense of isolation and disconnection from the world around them.

Carlile's lyrics also touch on societal expectations and judgments, as seen in the line about critics frowning down on the hours the narrator keeps. This could be interpreted as a critique of the pressure to conform to conventional routines and the stigma attached to those who struggle with mental health issues. The desire to 'darken my window so I can fall asleep' further emphasizes the need for a safe, dark space to retreat from the overwhelming demands of the outside world. Ultimately, 'Late Morning Lullaby' is a deeply introspective song that captures the delicate balance between seeking solace in dreams and confronting the often harsh realities of life.