Walking Backwards
Leagues
Breaking Free from the Past: The Journey of 'Walking Backwards'
Leagues' song 'Walking Backwards' delves into the emotional turmoil and the quest for renewal. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of someone feeling trapped and entangled in their past, symbolized by the 'wires' and 'fire.' This imagery suggests a sense of being stuck and overwhelmed by past experiences or emotions. The protagonist acknowledges their search for something new, a fresh start, but realizes they were not initially looking for the right thing or person.
The chorus emphasizes the theme of seeking a 'new emotion,' indicating a desire to break free from old patterns and feelings. The repetition of 'walking backwards' serves as a powerful metaphor for the struggle to move forward while being pulled back by past habits or memories. This backward motion highlights the difficulty of change and the persistence of old emotions, even when one is actively seeking something new.
The song also touches on the concept of confession and its liberating power. The line 'Oh, confession, it sets me free' suggests that acknowledging one's struggles and desires can be a crucial step towards freedom and self-discovery. However, the friction between the protagonist and their past ('the friction of you and me') indicates that this journey is not without its challenges. The repeated attempts to 'set it loose' only for it to 'start again' underscore the cyclical nature of emotional struggles and the resilience required to overcome them.
'Walking Backwards' by Leagues is a poignant exploration of the human experience of seeking renewal and the persistent pull of the past. It captures the essence of emotional struggle, the desire for change, and the complex journey towards self-liberation.