The Shelf In The Room

Days Of The New's song "The Shelf In The Room" delves into themes of isolation, introspection, and the struggle for self-identity. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a person who finds solace and a sense of security in a metaphorical 'shelf in the room.' This shelf represents a place of refuge where the individual can hide from the outside world and its pressures. The repeated line, "The shelf in the room has been the way of holding me and letting me stay," suggests a duality where the shelf both confines and comforts the person, providing a space to retreat and reflect.

The song's opening lines, "The key is so distant, I've opened doors," indicate a journey of self-discovery and the challenges of finding one's path. The lyrics emphasize the importance of knowing when to listen and what to listen for, hinting at the need for discernment and self-awareness. The recurring theme of 'holding out' versus 'never holding in' reflects the tension between expressing oneself and keeping emotions bottled up. This struggle is further highlighted by the lines, "A releasing sense of getting tired, Hold myself, I can't hold myself," which convey a sense of exhaustion and the difficulty of maintaining one's composure.

The song also touches on the idea of resistance and the importance of not letting others dictate one's actions or beliefs. The line, "Believe in resistance, Don't let them tell you anymore," serves as a call to assert one's individuality and resist external pressures. The closing lines, "The key is so distant, I've closed my doors, The shelf in the room is rain waiting to pour," suggest a sense of finality and the inevitability of facing one's emotions. The shelf, once a place of refuge, now holds the potential for an emotional release, symbolized by the impending rain.