Coal

Dylan Gossett's song 'Coal' is a poignant reflection on personal struggle, growth, and the search for meaning amidst life's challenges. The lyrics convey a narrative of someone grappling with the weight of life's hardships and the pursuit of transformation. The song opens with a recollection of advice against drinking, suggesting a past filled with moral guidance and perhaps a struggle with vice. The mention of a creek could symbolize a desire for purification or a return to innocence.

As the song progresses, the imagery of 'unfavored weather' and 'holes in the leather' paints a picture of wear and tear, both literal and metaphorical, indicating a life of hardship and endurance. The boots 'covered in tar' could represent the sticky, difficult situations the narrator has encountered. The chorus introduces a powerful metaphor: 'They say pressure makes diamonds / How the hell am I still coal.' This line encapsulates the central theme of the song – the frustration of not achieving personal growth or success despite enduring life's pressures. The expectation is that adversity should lead to improvement, yet the narrator feels stuck in their raw, unrefined state, like coal that has yet to become a diamond.

The final verses touch on themes of lost love and the ongoing battle with loneliness. The 'day in October' likely marks a significant breakup, leading to a period of sobriety and the search for good fortune, symbolized by the 'four leaf clover.' The repetition of the chorus at the end emphasizes the enduring struggle and the narrator's bewilderment at their lack of transformation despite their efforts and experiences.