Awake And Nervous

IQ's song 'Awake And Nervous' delves deep into the psyche of someone grappling with intense inner turmoil and anxiety. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a person feeling suffocated and trapped, unable to find solace or escape from their overwhelming emotions. The opening lines, 'So the certainty is I can get no air / Getting nowhere at all,' immediately set the tone of desperation and stagnation. The imagery of being 'suspended one by one / In the slipstream' suggests a sense of being caught in a relentless, uncontrollable flow, unable to break free.

The song's narrative continues to explore the protagonist's struggle with their mental state. Phrases like 'Emotion starts to lag' and 'No compassion have I' indicate a numbing of feelings and a loss of empathy, possibly as a defense mechanism against the overwhelming panic. The mention of 'The hangman's whore's so obvious / Discretion's such a drag' introduces a darker, more sinister element, hinting at the presence of self-destructive thoughts and the allure of giving in to despair.

As the song progresses, the sense of entrapment becomes more pronounced. The lines 'Guard the ribs and fall I long to catch my breath condemn it all / As the number I become' reflect a dehumanizing experience, where the protagonist feels reduced to a mere statistic, stripped of individuality and agency. The repeated pleas of 'Get me out of here / Let me get away' underscore the urgent need for escape and relief from the relentless mental anguish. The song captures the essence of feeling trapped within one's own mind, desperately seeking a way out but finding none, ultimately highlighting the profound impact of anxiety and inner conflict on one's sense of self and well-being.