Ten Thousand Feet

I See Stars' song 'Ten Thousand Feet' delves into the intense and existential experience of facing one's mortality. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a plane going down, serving as a metaphor for an inevitable and uncontrollable descent into death. The opening lines, 'I swear this plane is going down / Brace yourself, this is not a drill,' immediately set a tone of urgency and impending doom. This scenario is not just a literal plane crash but a symbolic representation of life's unpredictable and often harsh realities.

As the song progresses, the narrator reflects on their life, with the line 'And in this moment, I see my life flash before my eyes' capturing the classic trope of life review in the face of death. The repetition of 'Ten thousand feet in the air / And as we're falling faster, the thought of you begins' suggests that in moments of crisis, thoughts of loved ones and unresolved emotions come to the forefront. This repetition emphasizes the emotional weight and the sense of regret or longing that accompanies the narrator's final moments.

The phrase 'I am the living dead' introduces a sense of existential dread and nihilism, indicating that the narrator feels as though they are already dead inside, perhaps due to a life unfulfilled or wasted. The song's raw and intense delivery, characteristic of I See Stars' electronicore style, amplifies the emotional gravity of the lyrics. The closing lines, 'I wish there was a way to let you know,' express a desperate desire for communication and closure, underscoring the human need for connection even in the face of death.

'Ten Thousand Feet' is a powerful exploration of fear, regret, and the search for meaning in life's final moments. It challenges listeners to reflect on their own lives and the relationships that matter most, urging a deeper appreciation for the present before it's too late.